‘Have fun’ is my message. Be silly. You’re allowed to be silly. There’s nothing wrong with it. -Jimmy Fallon
Recently I traveled to Charleston with my daughter to celebrate her birthday. Nicole is one of those people that really brings out my inner goof! Like the kind of belly laughing, tear streaming, can’t hardly breathe, laughing kind of a goof, over and over again. After our trip, when we arrived back at the car at BWI long-term parking, our car battery was dead, but because we were so charged up with four days of endorphins, we just laughed some more and then soon quickly found the airport assistance.
We all have an inner goof that someone inside us that is an unadulterated silly, complete, and absolute goofball. It may be that the goofball isn’t allowed out very often. The other subpersonalities won’t give the goof permission to play. When was a time that your guard came down, and you unleashed your goofy dam self? For some of us, goofy is more of a natural state, and it requires a bit more effort for others. Who is your goof partner, that someone or someone’s that for some reason you get each other’s humor, and they get you going? When do you feel safe letting down the judgment guard and just being silly and having fun? Of course, being a goof is never at the expense of someone else, and there are generally appropriate times for the goofball to come out, but that’s what makes goofiness so much fun! Those times when we do let out the goofball feels so liberating and very cathartic. There’s something intimate and vulnerable when we’ve let go of the need to be safe because someone may be judging. Laughter is a healthy thing, but being your goofy self takes it a step further. Goofiness says I respectfully can be vulnerable, and I can initiate and allow my joyful, authentic nature out to play. Maybe it’s been that we are (taught) or conditioned that being a goofball means that you can’t be taken seriously, or that being silly and making someone laugh somehow is ridiculous. Suppressing the inner goof is safe but not always as much fun.
Here are some excellent reasons for bravely getting your goof on.
An injection of humor makes the serious stuff more palatable.
Silliness creates a joyful environment.
Laughing it off is a great diversion and release of stress and tension.
It’s hard to be angry or depressed when things are funny.
Goofy laughter allows us not to take ourselves so seriously.
Being a goofball is being brave.
Goofy sharing enhances the intimacy of relationships.
Being silly is excellent therapy.
Goofy laughter has immense physical benefits. It increases immunity, stimulates our organs, and lowers blood pressure.
Laughter looks good on you.
Most people that know me also know that there is a goofball that resides within the house of Donna. It makes me happy to see others happy. Some of the most joyous times in my life, without exception, have been steeped in those fun, silly, laughable, memorable moments. We weren’t given this experience of life to be so serious; our true nature is to be in a joyful state. Unleash your inner goofball, try it on for size, and I bet pretty soon you’re going to require a larger suit…..just saying.
Most of us would be upset if we were accused of being 'silly.' But the word 'silly' comes from the old English word 'selig,' and its literal definition is 'to be blessed, happy, healthy and prosperous.' - Zig Ziglar
Laugh often, and laugh out loud, my dearest goofballs!
XO Donna
