Humour is important and takes many forms. According Harvey Aukin humour is based around anger, lust, envy, greed… “You show me a sit-com about Francis of Assisi, and I’ll show you a bummer”. Some humour is considered offensive by some but not by others. It depends on the context and the audience for which it is intended. It is also dependent on when it was created as times change or political correctness takes over.
While Creating A New, Beautiful And Courageous Existence we need to be able to look at the humorous side of life.
“Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious”. Peter Ustinov
A little bit of tame Military Humour
The Military are very good at finding the humour in the direst situations. Sometimes I feel that we might need to find that as well. The military are quite aware of the absurdities associated with the job and use humour to deal with them. The humour of Black Adder Goes Fourth is a good example of military humour toned down for television.
This montage of Blackadder clips shows a healthy disrespect for the military planning of the First World War. Or as Blackadder would say “Oh there’s a plan is there?”
You can find out more about Melchett’s military and leadership skills here.
Some of the lighter side is also shown in programmes such as It Aint Half Hot Mum which unfortunately is now considered not Politically Correct.
Military jokes in action
One of the jokes played on new members of my first armoured squadron was to send them to the quartermaster for a Long Stand or a Short/Long weight. After this had got them skeptical about what they were being told to do they would be told to “pump up the tracks on the vehicles”. Which of course they wouldn’t and thus get into trouble for not doing it. If you are not aware of the term you “pump up the tracks” with a grease gun to maintain track tension.
I think every “industry” has their own version of it. Newbie builders are sent to get a left-handed spirit levels. Whilst Nicci used to teach would-be Business Analysts the “ceiling method” of estimation. Basically, look at ceiling whilst scratching chin. This was often combined with the “Weller method”: look at floor whilst scratching head and saying “well …. Er ….”
Hitch Hikers Guide
Personally, I am a great fan of The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy (a trilogy in five parts) which pokes fun at most things. How to fly instructions are excellent: “throw yourself at the ground and miss”. I was brought up on the original 80s BBC radio series which was required family listening on a Sunday morning. There is a TV series and film as well, which I must admit I haven’t seen as I’m not sure they would fit with my imagined Guide from radio and books.
Humour and laughter are great ways to help healing we need to find the humour in otherwise tragic situations to be able to deal with them more effectively.
You can read Nicci’s thoughts on laughter in her blog here.
Practice makes perfect
It’s all well and good writing about things in theory: however, we need to start applying what we learn. Find something that used to make you laugh and watch, read or listen to it again.
To help you keep track of all your work for the daily activities mentioned, we have created a Monthly Diary for you to record your progress. To download your copy of “My February Canbace Diary” please click here.
Be kind to yourself …
In CANBACE friendship!
If anything I have written resonates I’d love to hear from you in the comments. I appreciate that this can be a difficult subject to speak openly about. If you don’t want me to publish your comment on the website, please let me know. I will keep your words private.
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