It’s too easy to get sucked into anger, sadness, despair, and even hopelessness these days. So much conflict, assumption of malice, and utter disconnection, my goodness.
But in our quieter moments, we can find equanimity a bit more easily.
Play, humor, and lightness help us get there.
It’s okay to let ourselves laugh and poke fun. It doesn’t mean we don’t care, it doesn’t diminish the weight of the world’s problems.
It helps us cope.
Lightness liberates creativity and connection, which are key for solving the problems that distress us the most.
Let’s see what light I can call forth tonight, yes?

1. Assuming NO CONSEQUENCE, whose house would you drunkenly break into to swap bedroom furniture with, and what would you write on the ransom note?

2. On the nearest piece of paper, QUICK: Assign each of your friends a character from the Muppets, Sesame Street, The Simpsons, or South Park. Imagine you all go camping in winter.

3. What if there were a chain smoking, cocaine snorting, sexually deviant squirrel looking in your window every day? What story would it tell its friends about you?

4. I think I will try to cultivate a dance habit. Every day, at least one song. Whatever mood or playlist speaks or calls to me, so long as I move my body accordingly.

5. Rule #6: Don’t take yourself so damn seriously. — The Art of Possibility, B and RS Zander
We have serious work to do but we can be light in our approach.

6. Make sure you can always be made to laugh. It ensures you can still access your humanity. And it’s contagious so you can make people around you feel better. That’s good.

7. What do you call a dear with no eyes? No ideer. What do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs? Still no ideer. –As told by my niece. I still laugh.

8. Sometimes we just need some serious absurdity to shake us out of a funk. What is the most preposterous combination of animals you could assemble at a fairy coronation?

9. The next time you walk down the street, try strutting like you’re on a runway. Why not? The world IS your runway. Own it! Let loose your awesome self.

10. When you get stuck, play. Step away from the serious grind and put it down, even for five minutes. It’s like pressing your mental reset. Try it!

11. Who is your comic relief spirit animal? Do you relate more to Tom or Jerry? Road Runner or Wiley Coyote? Mickey or Donald? May your inner cartoon idiot keep you humble and fun!

12. “Dolpins are assholes,” I’m told. I wonder what other cute animals are actually a total menace? Besides humans, that is. We are definitely not as cute as we think

Okay friends, this may be the least coherent, most nonsensical set of jar smiles I have ever written. Must get to bed. I can hardly wait to see what I come up with tomorrow!