Haha, It's Funny, Right??

Location: New room for summer classes
Mood: Excited
Question: "When is is ok to laugh at myself, to joke about my condition?"

Maybe I'm just desperate for humor. That I can easily see; I'm almost always going for a giggle, just because I'm much more comfortable when everybody's smiling. If I can amuse a group with a mere comment, then I know I'm in a good place. People have definitely noticed this and have admitted that there were times when it felt like I was trying too hard, or that I was doing it because of my insecurities...and frankly, I don't see too much wrong with either. It's me. We're all insecure about something, and at least I'm trying to make everybody feel good!

Even when it comes to my alcoholism (5 months drink-free in two days, btw), I'm not afraid to crack a joke. Those jokes get the least amount of laughs though...of course I only test them on my closest of friends who know about the situation already, but I wish they could understand that I'm at the state where I'm comfortable enough to laugh about it. Sure, it's a serious thing that I'll have to live with for the rest of my life, but I feel that if you're not able to see it in a brighter life, you're going to have more difficulty with it.

Let's take, for example, obesity. There are plenty of comedians we know who are able to laugh at themselves because of their physique. The fat jokes always get laughs. There are some people, however, so insecure about their self-image that they crumble whenever they think a part of them isn't good enough. As sad as that is, and as much as I would want to help anybody in that situation (provided I've previously suffered from bulimia)...people give much more respect to the comedian who is able to laugh about it. We love Jack Black. John Belushi and Chris Farley still have special places in our hearts. Who doesn't appreciate Queen Latifah? They're bigger, yeah, and they're aware of it. They're not in denial, and won't keep hush hush about it.

I'm trying to go for that same approach with my disorder. It's ok to laugh, guys. Laughing is the greatest therapy. It cures all. That's why humor is so important to me, and I want to be able to still share humor through my great challenges. I'm not trying to be insulting, or degrading; I just want to lighten the mood. Please, laugh with me...partially so I don't feel awkward afterwards. ;D