(30
Days is a free writing exercise in which a quote is chosen and written
about. Please participate by sharing your comments on the quote. The
idea is that this is an exercise to get our intuitive minds to open
rather than writing polished pieces)
“Please remember Rule Number 6,” a prime minister quieted two anxious and
upset individuals who interrupted his important meeting.
They nodded and left the room smiling.
“What is Rule Number 6?” the visiting prime minister asked, astonished at the quick and immediate reactions the mysterious Rule Number 6 brought about.
“It is a very simple rule,” the prime minister said. “Don’t take yourself so goddamn seriously.”
“And the other rules?” asked the guest.
“There aren’t any.”
–Adapted from Zander & Zander’s Art of Possibility
This week, I drenched my treasured new shoes in an icy puddle, tried to make crepes for guests without adding the right ingredients, lost my ever valuable calendar, and forgot an important date. Banner week, eh? Well, in all truthfulness it kind of was.
While there was the initial “Oh boy” or “Ugh” in each situation, it was not as lasting as it used to be. I, as many of us do, used to berate myself, feel like a fool, get flushed, or process and process a scene until it was threadbare. Those previous responses all got me to the same place, feeling crappier than I did after the initial error.
Instead, this past week, I thought of Rule # 6, an idea I had recently used in a couples’ workshop mentioning the importance of levity in trying moments. This week I got to put it to the test.
What happens if we choose not to let a situation get us down?
What if we choose to see our own folly for what it is…simply folly?
This week I laughed at myself, a lot. I chose Rule #6 (many times). It wasn’t about not valuing the experience or the honoring my mistake, I simply chose not to dwell on it. And the result was startling. I laughed all week long (apparently because of the many foibles). I laughed my way into a meeting with a soaked shoe, relayed the story which led to a meeting kicked off with uproarious laughter. This led to new inquiries for my business.
The crepes, after a good chuckle, came out wonderfully and we took pictures documenting success at last. Losing my calendar, led to an intriguing and thoughtful discussion with my husband about our goals and taking care of each other even in busy times. And the date? Once I found my calendar I changed my schedule to be able to attend without any consequence.
Rule # 6 opens us up to being human, and being humane with ourselves and
others. Laugh with me this week. The next mistake that comes a long, throw
back your head and laugh!
Your day will be brighter for it. Oh and by the way, did I also mention that I spilled water on my new computer twice in one week? Ha Ha Ha Ha. Now, I keep a towel on my desk. :)
