A New Leaf

I was personally touched by a brief,  yet to-the-point, comment my friend Tina made in response to my last post. I received a similar message from my cousin.

In  their honor, I'm starting a quest, and for me it's a big one.

My quest is to henceforth refrain from self-deprecating humor.  It worked for Richard Pryor, but it doesn't work for me.

I still believe humor is good for the soul, but humor should make the recipient feel good, not offended.

I believe anyone who has practiced the humor of self-loathing, has done so as a pre-emptive strike. In other words, a comedian who makes fun of himself is trying to deflect hurtful jokes that someone else may hurl at him. At least that's what I'm trying to do.

But it's time to turn over a new leaf, and respect myself and others.

Today is day one.