People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive… ~Joseph Campbell
We don't stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing. ~Confucius
Do you ever look at yourself or your life and feel you’re just not measuring up? Are you too hard on yourself? Do you wish you could be more carefree?
No matter what we do to have a more positive outlook, sometimes doubt and insecurity creep up and steal our joy. When this happens, we look around and it appears that everyone else has it right or better, and we’ve got it wrong. Our shortcomings need tending to, and fast. We get overly focused on what’s “wrong” with us, put off delight, and wonder why we have to try so hard when it seems like others don’t. It’s a lousy place to be.
Last time I felt like this, I read the silliest quote from a professional clown. It put an instant smile on my face and immediately brought back the light-heartedness that had been missing from my life.
In the words of Wavy Gravy, the clown:
“We’re all bozos on the bus, so we might as well sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Yup, that’s it. We’re all just bozos! Me, you, and everyone else, too!
So why take ourselves so seriously?!
We’re all bumbling along on that bus, the journey of life, trying to figure it out on the way. Each one of us is making plenty of mistakes. We’re all complete with insecurities we’d rather be without and shortcomings we’d prefer no one see. That neighbor that seems so together? She’s just a bozo. That guy you admire and you wish you could be more like? Well, he’s a just bozo, too!
Why waste time trying to be perfect? Stop being so hard on yourself. Why care about what the next bozo thinks? How about trying less and living more…
Let’s just be ourselves for a while. Stop delaying life’s delights until you’re somehow improved. Give yourself a break, and give the next guy one, too. Let’s be fully human, in all our imperfect glory. Relish in it. Be carefree. Lighten up, give your inner bozo the reins, and experience the joy of being alive:
- Make a mistake
- Let the people you love make mistakes
- Try something new
- Be the butt of a joke
- Wear it
- Smile at everyone
- Laugh at yourself
- Go out anyway
- Get dirty
- Sing off-key
- Make a mess
- Dance a little
- Say it
- Skip in front of people
- Fall down
- Do something backwards
- Laugh at someone else
- Do it wrong
- Fail
And realize that we’re all really just the same…
Bozos on the bus. Imperfect. Flawed… and Beautiful.
You Might Also Enjoy:
{ 1 trackback }
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post. I think other people don’t really care about us being perfect so we shouldn’t worry about what they think every time.
Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..How to Take the Red Pill in Your Life
Hi Oscar, I agree! We are our own worst judges!
How very true. Oftentimes we have to release ourselves from the complexity of living. Life is all but experiencing.
Hi Walter,
Thanks for stopping by. “…release ourselves from the complexity of living…” Great point, and well said. I often have to remind myself of that when I’m spending too much time being introspective.
I was wondering just the other day why I’m so uptight – and so this struck a chord. It really sticks in my throat if I try to say ‘I’m just a bozo like everyone else’ … but it really is true.
I’m thinking of getting a sticker made up to put on the mirror that just says ‘You’re a bozo. And it’s ok’.
Ian | Quantum Learning´s last blog ..A world of deals and exchanges
Hi Ian,
Thanks for visiting! Sometimes I get way too serious, and then I’m more uptight, too. Thinking that we’re all just “bozos” bumbling along just cracks me up… snaps me right of it. Even thinking about the word “bozo” is funny. If you get that sticker made, let me know! I want one!
-Miche
Oh wow, Miche, I love this post and quote!
“We’re all bozos on the bus, so we might as well sit back and enjoy the ride.”
I enjoy your take on things, especially to Fall down. I can induce my husband to laugh out loud at me when I fake that I’ve fallen down (out of exhaustion, usually), but usually I land on the bed or a soft surface.
It is sooo important to not take ourselves seriously more often and enjoy the ride.
Lori´s last blog ..Start A Blog
Hi Lori, nice to see you here! There’s something to be said for that sort of “slip and fall” physical comedy, as long as no one gets really hurt. Some of my best laughs in life, those real belly laughs that make me laugh so hard I cry, have happened when friends of mine (or me!) have fallen unexpectedly, off a chair, outside, in a puddle, whatever! It’s wonderful, human, and hilarious, all at the same time!
Miche´s last blog ..Create Happiness With Less: Put Your Dreams into Your Routines
Sooo long ago a friend reminded me that I had once counseled her with, “why not just get that you’re a s**t like everyone else and get on with it.” I was bowled over by that insight and thought – where do I get this stuff and why do I give it away and forget it before using it?! The Bozo connection is far more politically correct and a great reminder. Thanks – great post.
Hi Trish, welcome! And glad you enjoyed it! It’s funny how we forget what we’ve known enough before to teach…. such is life, just another affirmation of the Bozo within all of us!! Cheers, Miche
Miche, I love the levity of this post! Thanks for sharing. I hope that one day we’ll all realize that these unwritten rules we follow about decorum, propriety, wearing suits and ties are man-made and self-imposed madness of sorts. All the energy could go to making the world a little bit better and helping each other a little bit more.
Hi Belinda! I agree… I LOVE this line you’ve written:
“these unwritten rules we follow about decorum, propriety, wearing suits and ties are man-made and self-imposed madness of sorts”…
“man-made and self-imposed madness…” that’s it EXACTLY!
Thanks for sharing that here, I appreciate it! It would make a really good post title of sorts, don’t you think?! Examining our own man-made and self-imposed madness… I love it!!
Cheers,
Miche
Miche´s last blog ..3 Keys to Emotional Serenity