I Am Learning to Laugh at Myself!
by Tim
(Chicago)
Say Goodbye to My Pinstriped Suit, My Italian Shoes, My Career and My Dignity and Hello to the Funny Side!
Eight months ago I lost my job as a financial executive, and it has been a difficult time for me and my family, as it has been - and is - for millions of Americans.
For many months I felt overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do.
Then six weeks ago, my 22 year old son-in-law, a self-described "slacker", sent me the photo above in an email.
He entitled it "Before and After: My Unemployed Dad In Law" and wrote: "Here's a job for you - Horn Playing Homeless Beggar. You might have to dumb yourself down, but I like you better without the suit! Now you're a slacker like me!"
I must admit that I didn't see the humor at all. I was already humiliated and now I was having my face rubbed in it. The impeccably dressed gentleman on the left looks very much like I once did. The man on the right - well - hopefully I don't yet look like that!
Then, with my wife's help, I realized that I had lost all perspective. I was finally able to laugh at my own situation and stop taking myself quite so seriously.
The addition of humor has allowed me to see my situation more clearly. Hope has returned.
When I asked my son-in-law why he had chosen that photo, he said "I picked a job where you're barefoot. That way I get all your shoes and your suits. I won't be a slacker all my life!"
