“You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself.” I just read that quote in Real Simple magazine this morning, attributed to Ethel Barrymore. Well, I’m not sure that I agree with it, but it did make me start thinking. I don’t really think it has anything to do with “growing up”, i.e. being more “adult”, but it certainly leads to self-actualization.
But I digress…I recall so clearly the first time I laughed at myself, 47 years ago. I was five years old and in kindergarten. We wore school uniforms (Catholic school) and, in this particular moment I was feeling all grown up because I was allowed to walk down the school hall all by myself to go to the bathroom. I went into the stall and took off my plaid, pinafore dress. I had to stand on my tiptoes to reach the hook to hang it up. Then as I sat down and looked up at my dress, I threw my head back and roared with laughter. I’m wearing a dress, silly, why in the world would I have to take it off? I still remember that moment of mirth but most of all, my self-acceptance. Oh well, I just am who I am, and sometimes that is just silly, imperfect, human.
With self-actualization, with the full realization of one’s creative, intellectual, or social potential, this is where you work best and where your creativity flourishes. After the physiological, safety, love and belonging and self-esteem issues have been taken care of, within this level will you be most relaxed and do your best work. Work that doesn’t depend on needing to feel good about oneself (self-esteem). The work just comes out from that inner, hidden place where joy resides.
And I try to remember, don’t take yourself or life so seriously, it’s only life after all. Remember that little girl with the dress, lighten up and laugh at yourself.
