When was the last time you did something foolish?
Playing tricks on people can be humorous, and we all enjoy a good laugh. That is one aspect of April Fool's Day. In 1998, Burger King announced their new Left Handed Burger on April Fool's Day and thousands of customers went to their stores to buy one before the chain announced the next day that it was a joke.
Beyond that aspect, every day we have opportunities to choose from, and we exercise our free will every day in choosing between foolish risks and calculated risks.
Sometimes, the wise choice looks foolish to others.
Shark Tank, the TV show where highly successful business sharks consider backing new inventions, took a pass on the ring doorbell camera. And that became more successful than other new businesses they chose to back. Mark Twain, the famous author, declined to invest in the telephone. Who was foolish in those choices?
When I made this my full time business 15 years ago, my mother asked me when I was going to get a real job again.
Now, over time she came to appreciate some of the things I do, and she knows that this is a real job.
My point is that every time we do something foolish it feels exciting and fresh. When you are doing something new or different and being more humorous and playful, being foolish sparks joy.
When we look at the world with a sense of joy, we lift our spirits when we do things that are lighthearted and playful.
When we look at a situation and notice that we always do things the same way, our open mind can see different ways to achieve our goals. When we do something different than usual, some will think our new approach is foolish. But is it really? How often do we excede previous limitations when we do something different, something others might think is foollish.
We also need to be kind to ourselves when we make mistakes. Being kind to others helps us get past their errors and start fresh. We need to do the same with ourselves and not carry on beating ourselves up when we make a mistake. We need to forgive ourselves and try again.
What others may consider foolish often leads to creativity, innovation and personal growth.
Many years ago, I was invited to go to a workshop where we walked on fire.
My first impression was to wonder how foolish that was and how anyone could do that and not hurt themselves. Then I did it, along with everyone else in the group. And then I wondered what else there was that I thought I could not do, that I could do if I changed my mind. That foolish act broke through barriers.
When was the last time others felt that you were being foolish?
When was the last time you felt you were being foolish?
See the difference between the two?
Happy April Fool's Day!
The image above is from the Elemental Wisdom Tarot
I always love getting feedback, so if any of you has thoughts about these articles I write, or any idea you would like me to include in my newsletters, I will consider all suggestions.
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