Today I inadvertently smashed my pinkie toe into the mat in yoga class. Hey, I have long legs and it can be hard to swing one up between my hands in one smooth motion! But I digress. After class a friend/neighbor asked a friendly, "How are you doing?" I gave a quick, "I'm good." But with a smile on my face I immediately followed it up with a, "Not really, I'm lying. I just broke my toe!" and from there we laughed at my clumsiness and chatted on our way to pick up our kids from the daycare room. I like to share things in my life and put a funny spin on it, or make it all dramatic and silly like I am the biggest klutz ever. But sometimes when I do this I feel like maybe all I am really doing is complaining and being a downer. I stated this to my friend and she said that, in fact, I was a pretty optimistic person. As she disappeared through the ladies room door I hung on to her words. It validated that I was making the proper distinction between Funny Lady and Debbie Downer.
It seems to me there is a fine line between the two but it is a significant difference.
The difference between a "klutz" and a "why me?" type of person is one thing - humor. If you can poke some fun at yourself and your mistakes, your falls and your missteps, then others can laugh along with you and enjoy your company. On the other hand, if you are always taking yourself seriously and pointing out how awful things keep happening to you, well, you aren't leaving much room for optimism. Maybe just some forced sympathy.
Being a mom there are some days you just have no humor left within you to draw from. That's not what I'm talking about. On those days hopefully you find a friend to share with and she will help you see the brighter side; refill your humor well. Then next time you can tell her how you dropped a pair of scissors, a full sippy cup, and a kitchen chair on your left foot all within a week.... And that was before the yoga incident....
(Edited to add: My main thought may not have been clear and that is I tread this line daily and I want to be sure I am on the humorous side more often than not! I'm moving forward with this distinction in mind. :) )
Sorry to hear about your toe...I've done that and it hurts like blazes! One would not think that something so small could cause such pain!
ReplyDeleteYou are so the optimist. Not even close to Debbie D.
Embrace your humor, because you ARE funny!! :)
Now go put ice on that toe!
Thanks Kelly! Sometimes I'm not successful but I do try to laugh at myself. And others. But that's mostly in my head. :))
ReplyDeleteMy toe is looking slightly better yet it's still swollen and a deep purple-y color. I really got it good!
To top it off the next day I walked right into the baby's grocery cart toy, stubbing my next to last toe on... you guessed it!!... the same damn foot. But that's not all! Nooooo. Later I gingerly (ha!) placed a dresser on top of my Barney toe. I think I need to wrap my left foot in bubble wrap and cry "Uncle!!!"