“Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.”
~ Charlie Chaplin
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Life’s Balancing Act: Tragedy & Comedy
What feels like a world-ending personal disaster today may just become a hilarious anecdote tomorrow.
Just a few years ago, everyone was panicking about the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was the end of the world. It was a scary time, filled with uncertainty and fear.
Today, the epoch provides comedians worldwide (just check Netflix and social media) with endless material for jokes.
To be clear, nobody is laughing about the millions of fatalities.
Having said that, they are laughing at the ridiculous things people did, particularly in the early days: hoarding toilet paper, wearing masks made of scarves, and Zoom meetings with our pets dressed up as co-workers.
Consider another quote, or rather a formula, this time from Woody Allen:
Tragedy + Time = Comedy.
For example, imagine the grief and shock surrounding the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865.
No one was making jokes about John Wilkes Booth at the time.
Today, countless jokes and even historical memes circulate about the incident.
It’s hardly funny, yet, people find a way to laugh about it.
Does this mean Chaplin’s or Allen’s quote applies to every tragedy? Not exactly.
While time may soften the blow of some tragedies, others leave permanent scars.
The death of a loved one, the loss of a dream, or the experience of war can leave wounds that never fully heal.
So, where does that leave us?
Humor is a powerful tool that helps us cope in difficult times, offers perspective, and can even build resilience.
It’s also a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of challenges, our perspective will likely shift with some additional time.
Think about that teenage relationship you had and lost. It was the end of the world.
Up close, it was a tragedy. Now, it’s a comedy,
The same might be said for any/all of the latest political crises.
The beauty in the observation is this:
Take life itself and each crisis at hand a bit less seriously, knowing it may just turn out like 98% of the prior crises, which somehow morphed into comedies.
Embrace the absurd: Life is full of ridiculous situations and unexpected turns. Learn to laugh at the absurdity of it all, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
Connect with others: Sharing our stories and experiences with others can help us feel less alone and more connected. Laughter is often contagious, so surround yourself with people who make you smile.
Seek out humor: Watch funny movies, read humorous books, or listen to stand-up comedy. Exposing yourself to humor can help boost your mood and put things in perspective.
Be patient: Healing takes time. Don't pressure yourself to feel happy or funny all the time. Allow yourself to feel your emotions and know that laughter will eventually return.
Remember, life’s a perpetual and emotional ying and yang.
During your next crisis, take a deep breath, recall Chaplin’s and Allen’s words'; recognize the possibility that just maybe you’ll be laughing about it in the future.
Enjoy the show!
~mg
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Tragedy & Comedy