I believe in silliness

My life is full of confusion, anxiety, disappointment, and mundane tasks. When I listen closely, I hear my body crying out for a release from the tension. There is one antidote that is guaranteed, free, and always accessible: silliness. I believe in silliness.

I’ve climbed inside grocery store carts so my kids can giggle loudly while giving me a ride. I require my family to link arms and skip when we enter an amusement park. Speaking in a British accent during a serious conversation, singing at the top of my lungs while my kids roll their eyes in my direction, or showing off my less-than-stellar dance moves in the middle of dinner are some of the ways I keep my life balanced. Without the ability to laugh at my inadequacies or release pent-up tension with humor, I become agitated and despondent.  Sarcasm is spoken fluently within the walls of our home.

Being silly doesn’t mean I shun responsibility or lack good sense. It simply means I know the value of looking at life through a fun house mirror. Although I teach my children the importance of becoming mature, reliable and trustworthy, I don’t expect them to behave like adults. Likewise, I am an independent adult, yet I try to keep a childlike attitude.

I believe a certain amount of silliness is required in marriage and parenting. Without a sense of humor, my marriage quickly becomes stale and contentious. A heated discussion can be diffused with a silly gesture or witty remark. Despite the risks, I run outside with my kids when lightning strikes, because I refuse to live my life without dancing in the rain. As Dr. Seuss so perfectly articulated, “I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells.”