Laughing At Yourself

Something funny happened today that I must report on. I must. I was picking my Dad up from the gym after his group exercise class. On Monday and Wednesday mornings he takes a class that focuses on strength and flexibility. The class is for senior citizens and the exercises are done mostly while seated in chairs. As I was helping Dad pack up his weights, etc, a very friendly woman said hello to me. I, of course, said hello to her and then with a slight hesitation I asked her if she knew that she had her knit shirt on inside out. She laughed and said "Yes!" and then proceeded to explain that she had been making meatloaf before she came to the gym and didn't realize until she got to the gym that she had spilled some of the contents of the meatloaf on her shirt. So, when she got to the gym she just pulled her shirt off and wore it inside out so the stains would be less noticeable. She even pulled up the bottom of the shirt to show me the stains! She was laughing about it in such a good humored way. It was so delightful to talk to a "well seasoned" (pun intended) woman who was not afraid to laugh at herself. I was thinking of times when I was caught out in public with my shirt on inside out or backwards. Or, times when I didn't notice a small spot or tear or a run in a stocking and I was embarrassed and chastising myself for not being more careful with my appearance. Yet, this woman was able to just laugh it off. I love it when people are able to laugh at themselves. It breaks up the otherwise serious moments we have to deal with. And laughing is good. And laughing is contagious. And laughter brightens the day. Laugh. Just laugh!