seriously

"By taking oneself too seriously one is prevented from being serious enough" (standing by words, 85).

experience assures me of the truth of this statement by wendell berry in his "notes: unspecializing poetry." isn't it a good thing to be able to laugh at oneself. i mean, face it, i do and say some stupid and hilarious things. we all do. most people could stand to lighten up a bit. i have seen this all too often with preachers for instance. if you treat everything as serious, then how will the people around you know when something really serious is being addressed. or something joyous. or something grievous. perhaps a little satire or levity is a good thing. i am grateful for close friends who won't let me take my life or myself too seriously. ultimately, neither it nor i am worth it. seriously.