I heard a friend of mine say, “I take God seriously, but I don’t take myself too seriously”. That statement helped me feel the gravity of being serious about my relationship with God, but to lighten up on myself in how I often approach life. (My mother told me that even as a baby, I was serious.)
Psalm 126:2 says, “Then our mouth was filled with laughter…” Laughter is a great way that helps me not to take myself too seriously. Laughing about myself and having fun with friends helps me to keep life in perspective. (However, laughing “about myself”, is not the same thing as laughing “at myself. Laughing “at myself” is a form of self abasement)
The late Paul Newman is known to have stated that he didn’t take himself too seriously. In fact, Newman was having fun with a friend on Christmas Eve in 1970 when they decided to whip up their own salad dressing. The evening frivolity grew into creating a huge vat of their unique blend of salad dressing. The vat was so large it required being stirred by a canoe oar. As a joke, they began filling old wine bottles with the dressing and delivered them to neighbors as Christmas presents. One of the neighbors was the up and coming Martha Stewart, who shared the dressing with a grocer. The demand grew “Newman’s Own” salad dressing was birthed from a night of laughter and fun. Newman’s foundation donated over $200 million to charities last year. Newman wrote in his memoir, There are three rules for running a business; fortunately we don’t know any of them….our management philosophy was, ‘If we ever have a plan, we’re through’.”
Next time life feels heavy, join with me in “taking God serious” about His promises and go create something fun in the kitchen. Something to think about….
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