In case anyone's wondering, I'm not talking about drinking or doing drugs, since I don't do any of that at all. Today, I'm talking about how far to take my sense of humor. Here's the straw that broke the camel's back:
Earlier today, one of my Facebook friends decided to unfriend me because of a comment I made on a picture that a mutual friend had posted. My comment, as most of mine are, was made in jest, but unfortunately was misconstrued as me actually wishing something bad on a notoriously famous celebrity. Despite the celebrity mentioned in the picture (on whom I wished the apparent ill will) being one who is more or less despised by most people anyway, my comment apparently offended this person enough to reduce my friend count by one.
This incident has gotten me to stop and wonder if I'm starting to go too far. Those of you who have known me since I was a little kid already know that while I tend to be somewhat on the funny side, I've been funny in a reserved sort of way. No profanity or sexual remarks. No bathroom humor. A poke or two at someone occasionally, but not really nasty. But like most humans, I'm far from perfect. Unfortunately, I am finding myself more and more often making comments or jokes in ways that could be misunderstood or even borderline offensive. Much of that could be frustration from not finding work, but that's still no excuse. I'm finding that my "fuse" has become a bit short when dealing with people out in public, perhaps because so many of them are not paying attention 100% to what they're doing or should be doing—distracted by their cell phones, allowing their kids to run loose with little or no supervision, or they're just oblivious to the fact that other people really do exist, and that they can't always be first or get their way. What is truly wrong is that their distractions and (mis) behavior have begun to affect me, and that shouldn't be.
Regardless, I'm not liking the person I'm starting to become, and it just may be time for me to take a break from interacting with others for awhile unless absolutely necessary. No, I won't miss job interviews (whatever those are) or pass up casino night gigs, but this will likely mean a noticeable cutback in time spent on Facebook, fewer phone calls and e-mail messages, or even time with friends until I can make any necessary adjustments. There will be some time spent in prayer, too. So if you don't see or read much of me for awhile, no need to worry or lose sleep. Just know that I'm in for a tune-up or an oil change.
And you never know. A better person just might emerge from all of this.
