Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board

Voicelessness and Emotional Survival => Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board => Topic started by: Izzy_*now* on June 25, 2008, 09:19:20 PM

Title: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Izzy_*now* on June 25, 2008, 09:19:20 PM

Find yourself. You can't be yourself if you don't know, understand, and accept yourself first.

Stop caring about how people perceive you. The fact is, it really doesn't matter. It's impossible to be yourself when you're caught up in wondering "Do they think I'm funny? Does she think I'm fat? Do they think I'm stupid?" To be yourself, you've got to let go of these concerns and just let your behavior flow, with only your consideration of others as a filter—not their consideration of you.

Be honest and open. What have you got to hide? You're an imperfect, growing, learning human being. If you feel ashamed or insecure about any aspect of yourself—and you feel you have to hide those parts of you, whether physically or emotionally—then you have to come to terms with that and learn to convert your so-called flaws into individualistic quirks.

Relax. Stop worrying about the worst that could happen, especially in social situations. So what if you fall flat on your face? Or get spinach stuck in your teeth? Learn to laugh at yourself both when it happens and afterwards. Turn it into a funny story that you can share with others. It lets them know that you're not perfect and makes you feel more at ease, too.

EDIT IN] link http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Yourself (http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Yourself)

One of my favourite stories to tell is when I was in Rehab and catheterized. My friend, Ruth, and her freind, John, picked me up at the Rehab for a night out.

We went to the Ports of Call in Toronto, and I kept reaching down (easy enough, like a quick scratch to the leg)  to see when my leg-bag was filling/full. When it was, Ruth came with me to the ladies' room.

OOOOPS! not accessible in 1969. What to do in a fancy place with a washroom attendant? I lifted my leg over one of the sinks (Ruth was embarrassed) loosened the valve and peed my bag into the sink. I then 'closed the valve'  lifted my leg back down and scuribbed the sink, 3 times, as people looked on with........ I never looked.. could have been distaste, could have been new knowledge, could have been laughter.

Back we went to the table and as I kept imitating my itch, there was nothing to deal with.

We left there in John's car and went to a Country Bar for a couple of beer, no itch! We left there and drove a little further down the main drag to a bar, just across from the restaurant we wanted. We had a couple more beer, no itch to deal with---hmmmm what was wrong? Then the restaurant was closeds o we just decided to finish the evening by driving me back ro Rehab. It was very close to 11:00 p.m. and the bright light was still on and as I opened the passenger door. John's poore car was drenched, as was my foot, my shoe and my lower slacks leg. I hadn't reached far enough. I peed all over Ports of Call, John's car, the Country bar and up and across the main drag of Toronto.

The night cleaner was mad and followed me in and up the elevator with me with a wet mop until I had straightened things aropund.

I rinsed everything but I was not allowed to use the Rehab Dryer, so had no left shoe for a number of days.

I am glad that John was such a nice guy and took into consideration this was my FIRST night out. Ruth was great too, and after that we had plenty of laughs-----yet it was over a serious situation.

Was I going to be catherterized for the rest of my life? The nurses told me I would (and that supposedly shortens one life by 30 years.) I deciuded to prove differently and with Ruth and John's assistance a few moths later, I did prove their patient chart to be wrong.

So here I am 39 years later and full of vim, vigour and vitality!

So what is the funniest, 'laughing at yourself' story YOU haver?????
Izzy

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: gratitude28 on June 25, 2008, 09:22:14 PM

((((((((((((((Izzy)))))))))))))

I agree, life is too short to ruminate :)

Love your peeing story :) I'm sure it wasn't lots of fun at the time, but it is refreshing to see you can look at it as a part of life.

Love, Beth

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Izzy_*now* on June 25, 2008, 09:38:46 PM

Yes Beth,

....and I think I forgot to say that at the Ports of Call with everone looking on, I was in a hurry and didn't close the valve tightly.

... the nurses said an L1 fracture was all the nerves that went to the bladder. Well I don't think so, since my right foot goes numb when I have to pee.

I've 'always' thought that Time +Tragedy= Humour.   (since that exoerience!)
Izzy

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: gratitude28 on June 25, 2008, 09:46:11 PM

I honestlt don't think we know a lot about what/how nerves work and affect regions. I can fully believe that you feel numbness. I have my own weird feelings with my back pinch.
Yes, I think the tragic is so close to comedy... Have you seen Little Miss Sunshine? It should be such a repulsive story, but I LOVE it. It's hard to know where that line is between horrid and funny sometimes.
Love, Beth

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Certain Hope on June 25, 2008, 10:04:51 PM

Izzy... I can't top that!  lol


Guess most of my moments in the sun have been more private... with the exception of a couple which I won't relate... lol.
And I did laugh at the time, but I still won't share them.

Great post, Iz.  Thanks!

Love,
Carolyn

P.S.  I've always said that the thing that really broke me of my physical shyness, was havin 4 kids. I mean... after 4 trips through labor and delivery, you've pretty much given up on having any intimate secrets... lol.
xox

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Izzy_*now* on June 25, 2008, 10:25:18 PM

Carolyn

Glad you enjoyed

I had one child, but it was the accident that left me with no modesty whatsoever (so to speak)

There was one time I was having my bladder irrigated, curtains were closed and that idiot Ken ( I talk about his inane ways a lot) just shoved the curtain aside and walked through, to my naked lower half. I yelled immediately amd he backed off and then I told him, after, that I have private things. when the curtain is closed it means I am having privacy.

Some people don't know when to give up!

You have personal things you won't tell me and I respect that, as I have the same.

Love
Izzy

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Izzy_*now* on June 25, 2008, 11:04:21 PM

oh tt,

glad you liked

On your thread you signed it
Sincerely
Carolyn
then you posted a note to

Carolyn

found it

The fact that it has continued is neither my fault, nor my responsibility... and when it happens again, I will be referencing this post.Thank you.

Sincerely,
Carolyn

or did I misunderstand?

Izzy


Carolyn,

Your letter ...........................

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: teartracks on June 25, 2008, 11:16:53 PM

Oh Iz,

The part that says Sincerely Carolyn is her signing off on a post (#22) that she sent to Dr. G.  I just copied the whole thing forward, then started my post,  directly after it with Dear Carolyn.  I can see how it would be confusing.   

Sorry for the confusion.

tt

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: changing on June 26, 2008, 12:55:20 AM

Hi Deer-

Thank you for your story!Once I went to my HMO in the middle of a rainy night- I was coughing and could barely breathe. They sent me to the emergency room (it was freezing in there, naturally) and took my clothes, giving me a flimsy hospital gown. I asked for a blanket and they agreed but...oh well. They determined that I had pneumonia (kept bringing a portable xray machine and breathing machine) I determined to get out of there, but had no clothes...Just when I was trying to sneak out and decided I could make it to the car wearing a hospital gown, a nurse came in the curtained area I was in and inserted a catheter (WHY?????)!!!! I was trapped, as I had no idea about how to unhook myself from the thing...They came back in and wanted to admit me into the hospital- I asked them to remove the offending scary tubes and for my clothes as well first-- Instead of being admitted, I put my clothes on ASAP, and when they came back I was gone...

Love,

C.

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Izzy_*now* on June 26, 2008, 01:10:12 AM

Oh changing

The cathter is offensive. So they removed it?

Well next time just get some scissors and cut the inserted tube. The other little one that flops outside is the one whereby they insert a needle full of water to inflate a bulb inside your bladder so it (the catheter) won't fall out!

I was in a hospital room before rehab and an elderly woman was there. She had fallen out of her bed in a nursing home and broken her hip. She was a bit out of the regular stream of life, and was catheterized, so she wouldn't walk with her damaged hip.
Everytime she felt like peeing, she pulled out the catheter, WITHOUT deflating the bulb, got out of bed and went to the bathroom.
Ah Daisy!! That was her name!
ouchy ouch!

Always a goodie in there somewhere!
Izzy

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: changing on June 26, 2008, 01:19:22 AM

Yowie !!!

It would be nice if people could spend some time learning about basic medical items, basic accounting, basic...everything!!!! while in school...Or is that what families do?


Love C.

By the way, speaking of accounting- I am having to gather more documents for my lawyer and wondr if you have any basic accounting/organization tips for bills,receipts, documents, etc- I have so many and would like to spruce things up and not be so intimidated by it all, and by them being scrutinized , etc (sorry if this hijacks your thread-you could answer on another or tell me to laugh at myself while I plunge into the sea of papers!!!)

Love,

Changing

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Izzy_*now* on June 26, 2008, 01:50:52 AM

hi changing,


You don't have an Accounting program? then a Spreadsheet is good.

Post your receipts by category and date (some categories are the 'together', such as Postage and Stationery. (Then again, maybe not--are these business or personal?)

As you do this, if you know spreadsheet, just type them in as you come to them. You can sort later with Sort in SS, even by year. I can picture the way I would do it, but later if need be!

Headings could be Source, Date, Amount, Category, Year?, + any other breakdown your lawyer might want. (I can talk you through SS if you don't know it. Formulas (or Formulae) tally the totals.

That would be all your expenses. Then you have Income--is this business or personal?

Post it and the source and Sort later.

In the end you will have a list of in date order expenses, and in date order receipts, by year if necessary, by month as well.

Is this what you mean?/want?

Let me know, ok?
xx
Izzy

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: debkor on June 26, 2008, 01:52:26 AM

One time I was cleaning and had the front door open with just the glass door.  There was a knock and I could see the UPS man with a delivery.  My son was going to the door at the same time so we kind of met face to face and the UPS man was at the top of the steps looking in with the package.  I tripped over the dog (who is like a rug) old and just sleeps anywhere... as I was going forward and catching my balance everyone was looking to see if I would fall and my BOOB came out of my shirt... OH GoD~~~

My son wanted to pop his eyes out of his head went running laughing.  The UPS man just dropped the package and never be seen again... They just knock drop and ..... GONE ... now....

and I was so embarrassed.......

Love
Deb

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Izzy_*now* on June 26, 2008, 02:07:39 AM

oh ho ho ho ho ho

That is funny, Deb, NOW~!

That is a hoot. That is a movie scene

but I can understand your embarrassment.........................at the time!

Oh  ho ho ho ho ho
Izzy

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: changing on June 26, 2008, 02:09:11 AM

Hi Izzy and Debkor-

Note- lots of stupid spelling and other errors edited:
Izzy, I have no spreadsheets, etc but it sounds good. However, I have to keep piles of actual receipts for the court- it is insane. Are you saying that I should get a machine that scans the receipts instead or as an adjunct to the actual receipts (this sounds like a good idea- actually my fax/copier machine has a scanner function, but of course I don't know how to use it- will try to learn but usually when I try something it puts the machine out of commission for a while...) :shock:

While I do that , do you have any ideas for organizing actual receipts, etc- I have things in folders according to type, and still am not sufficiently organized :oops: :oops:

Thank you,

C.

Debkor- Goodness, I was laughing quite hard when I read your post- I could relate about the rug-like dog, etc and flopping over the critter...So funny!!!

Love,

C.

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Overcomer on June 26, 2008, 10:04:09 AM

Hi Iz:  Just a few weeks ago my daughter and I were going to her tutoring appointment.  They had a ramp with a bar going up to the door.  I tripped up the curb and went airborn.  I knew if I landed on the concrete I would hurt myself so I grabbede the bar and flipped over it.

Imagine.  A 5' 10"    220 pound   48 year old woman flying through the air and wrapping herself around a pole..................then my autistic daughter and I cracked up uncontrollably as we crashed into the tutoring center.  I was so embarrassed I was trying to explain what I did to the receptionist and was laughing and crying.

SO EMBARRASSING!

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: sKePTiKal on June 26, 2008, 02:11:56 PM

OK, this story is really about my daughter -

I said previously, that I detest being in crowded shops with all kinds of negative people, yelling kiddos, and just overall mayhem, right?

So... Hol & I are Christmas shopping, in JC Penney. Just bought a couple of big fluffy pillows when someone turned up the nasty, loud, obnoxious button to a degree that made me start to shake. She noticed - and picking out the meanest, rudest nastiest person - she flings the pillows on the floor - herself on top and slides right into him - WHEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Then, she got up, picked up the pillows and ran for the door saying in her voice that carries over any noise (too much mosh-pit experience): Merry Christmas, to all... Assholes! and then out the door.

I was soooooooooo embarrassed, but I was also laughing so hard I could barely see the door for the tears! No one knew she was with me or that she covered my discomfort and even made it go away....

Granted - she herself could be considered "out of order" and these days - I'm surprised they didn't hold her for assault. But it sure had an effect on everyone who saw/heard her - I wasn't the only one laughing myself silly and the previous tension was completely gone. We describe this daughter as "a force of nature".

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Izzy_*now* on June 26, 2008, 02:42:53 PM

OMG, OC
You so could have been hurt, but I can see that picture and hear the uncontrollable laughter afterward!  YAY! for the slapstick! :lol: :lol: :lol:
and PR
What a child! A real force of nature, and she cures your shakes with humour! :lol: :lol: :lol:

and changing

Okay. Your filing of the original receipts and can you trust without copies? Well, let's file first. Depending on the numbers, sizes of receipts, use envelopes, or folders? with enclosed date range on the outside. File by month or ½ year or year? Depending on receipts, # of same.
When that is done, make a list of what is enclosed

For copies, we have outlets here that do printing and copying and can do this while not messing up your arrrangement or your containers. Anyway you have the list to put back in order. (Sometimes time is money.)

If you need totals, you can totals the lists, as opposed to flipping the flippin' receipts.

Tell me if that is a better handle, or what is amiss and I will see if I have any other  :idea: :idea: :idea: :idea: (bright ideas~

Love
Izzy

(http://www.slrkelowna.ca/workstation.gif)

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: debkor on June 26, 2008, 05:12:32 PM

Oh these stories are so funny... PR I can't stop laughing......

Another one is when I was going into the supermarket in the summer wearing my shorts and flip flops... mis judged the curb, stepped up, turned my ankle..first I looked like I was break dancing trying to stay up,made a really dramatic fall, with roll overs, and a long , auuuuuuuuuuughhhh... while trying to look around to see if anyone seen this... almost got away with it.. until I landed on my keys and set my car alarm off... the panic button... and there I was.....with cut knees, dirt, and my pony tail sideways.. I did one of those jump up's I'm alright, I'm fine and tried to make a really fast escape and walked into the out door..  embarrassing..

Love
Deb

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: Izzy_*now* on June 26, 2008, 06:33:07 PM

Oh Deb

Another acrobatic display. How I laughed, and my mother would love these descriptions.
..and I chuckle on

Love
Izzy

Title: Re: For Heaven's Sake...Learn to Laugh at Yourself!!
Post by: lighter on June 26, 2008, 06:34:27 PM

I love you Izz....

and I'm pretty sure I'd love Ruth and John, too.

Lighter