Yeah. This is from a pun-a-day calendar. One of my BFFs who really understands me gave it to me for Christmas 2020.
You know, I love a good two-syllable insult at any turn.
But when a cheerful dandelion asks to be blown, it turns that insult on its head — with the bonus reminder to slow down and be in the moment with Mother Nature.
Life isn’t a joke — but should it be?
My brother-in-law, Dave, makes puns all the time. He is a Dad-joke Dad to his very core and I respect the hell out of him for that. I often wonder if he took some kind of night course in punnery in order to achieve the level he has.
He is an Advanced Groaner.
I am pretty quick-witted, but I have never had a knack for puns. That’s why I’ve truly appreciated 2021 as my year of 365 illustrated puns — some better than others.
And now and then the daily dose of mirth hit the spot with more mind-bending, hella affirming food for thought.
Here’s a few of my favorites… and why I love them.
I am Worthy
I didn’t get a lot out of depth from the “You’re a Smartichoke” veggie wearing a graduation cap.
But a roll of ecstatic toilet paper really hits home as a reminder that we all have our place in this world.
Now and then I have to remind myself: whatever bowl of crap the world is serving up, I have the correct spoon and can find just the right hot sauce for it.
Side note: Having just watched the first episode of “Queer Eye” Season 6, I feel confident The Broken Spoke’s Terri White would agree with this sentiment! Go Terri!
I am Genuine. I am Real.
Listen, if you have met me IRL, you know I have a tendency to be — ahem — a bit direct. (If you haven’t met me yet, fair warning, darling.)
This was a quality I learned/inherited from my mom and I don’t apologize for it. I am how I am: straightforward, honest, and here for you.
I am also one of the few Iowans who — on the reg — get mistaken for a New Yorker.
But hell. Now and then, people DON’T know me, or get me. Or I just straight up say shit I should not have said. I hurt people’s feelings or am unintentionally mean.
I am also very willing to apologize when the occasion calls for it, and I am sincere in my regrets.
I don’t apologize, however, for who I am. And you should not either. As the kids say:
You Be You!
“Have no fear of perfection. You’ll never reach it.”
—Salvador Dali
This pun does make wonder if this is why poor Eeyore was so depressed. Dang it. Imagine if YOUR species was synonymous with stubborn jerkdom.
I am a Strong Person
Dudes. Remember back in 2019 life was idyllic?
Hah. Yeah. No.
But OK … and now we are all just chugging along, getting by as best we can, hoping the next minute, the next day, the next news cycle has something positive to share.
First of all, I believe that most things in life can be made better by adding a little bit of tidying and organization — with the help of good office supplies.
But more importantly, I have realized that being strong doesn’t mean having it all figured out.
It doesn’t even mean I FEEL GOOD.
That’s one of the tenets I have had to ponder a great deal. Buddhist Pema Chödrön teaches this in her revelation of a book When Things Fall Apart. She talks about the human necessity of coming to terms with discomfort. Of learning to understand that in life there’s no way we can avoid pain.
″Scrambling for security has never brought anything but momentary joy. It’s like changing the position of our legs in meditation. Our legs hurt from sitting cross-legged, so we move them. And then we feel, ‘Phew! What a relief!’ But two and a half minutes later, we want to move them again. We keep moving around seeking pleasure, seeking comfort, and the satisfaction that we get is very short-lived.″
— Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times.
I am always having to re-learn: there is no security. Life is constantly shifting and changing. There’s no constant but change.
So if I merely feel like I am “holding it together” that’s fine. I can only be my best for the moment. And, hopefully, I allow myself to soften and experience every change as it comes.
With gratitude for Julia Rockowitz, the founder of RockDoodles.com whose calendar made 2021 lighter for me this year.
Want to add some positive reading to your day?
Here’s a few you can start with:
Zen Habits - Leo Babauta’s website.
The Marginalian - Used to be “Brain Picker.” These are lovely, long reads by Maria Popova to enhance your life.
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