Sharon

“Ask only whether you are living your values, not whether the boxes are ticked.”
― Sheila Heti, Motherhood

“May you be free from suffering. May you be healthy. May you be happy. May you find peace and joy.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

“Laughing at Ourselves to Develop Humor

Humor seems like something that is spontaneous and natural and cannot be cultivated, but the ability to laugh at ourselves and to see the rich ironies and funny realities in our lives is actually, like perspective, something that we can learn with practice over time.

1. Think of one of your limitations, human faults, or foibles. Think of
something about yourself that is actually quite funny when you can have some perspective. The Dalai Lama can laugh at his limited English. The Archbishop can laugh at his big nose. What can you laugh at about yourself? When you can laugh at yourself, you will let others feel closer to you and inspire them to accept their own limitations, faults, and foibles.

2. Laugh at yourself. The next time you are in a situation where you act in a funny way, or say something in a funny way, or are just less than perfect, chuckle at yourself and make a joke of it. Humor is one of the best ways to end conflict, especially when you are able to make fun of yourself or admit that you are overreacting or being silly.

3. Laugh at life. The next time you are delayed or something does not go your way, try being amused by the situation rather than getting angry or outraged. You will notice how your amusement puts others at ease and can often smooth the situation. Similarly, when you encounter certain ironies in your day-to-day life, try to see the humor.”
― Dalai Lama XIV, The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

“It was interesting, she mused to herself, how life sometimes simply gave you a whole new perspective by waiting around long enough for you to see it.”
― Matt Haig, The Midnight Library