The human condition is riddled with imperfection. We are awkward, flawed, illogical, irrational, selfish, imperfect, insecure, unsure, pathetic, and inappropriate. We fail, muddle, stumble and blunder through life. We know our death is inevitable, we are clueless to what the overarching meaning of life is, and we are imperfect, yet hope prevails and we continuously strive to make our lives better. That is the beauty and comedy of the human condition – despite the odds against us, we persevere.

Warning Sign photo by Brandy Little

To be flawed is to be human. To pretend to be anything else, is a lie, a dream, a wish, for something beyond reality. Yet that is what we do daily. We strive to hide our imperfections and exaggerate our better qualities. We constantly try to present an image without blemishes because the thought of potential embarrassment is dreadful.

Brandy Little in Belize photo by Kenny Viveiros

Dreadful how though? What is the consequence of appearing foolish – human – in front of a stranger, friend, significant other, or family member? Why deny your flawed humanity? Why fear it? Why pretend that it doesn’t exist? Why scorn others for theirs? Why not embrace it — embrace you? Own your flawed nature and you are free. Finding comfort in the uncomfortable situations is liberating and provides paths to success that you would have never achieved otherwise.

Find the humor in your condition and laugh instead of crawling into a hole. Taking life less seriously, allows you to accept who you are and pave the way to fun. Sure, there is definitely a time for sadness, a time for anger, and a time for silence, but these emotions tend to overstay. We don’t need them as much as the time we allot them. Find the place where humor lies, and upgrade it to a better and bigger space.

After all, laughter increases your overall well-being and your happiness. It touches you and briefly takes your mind away from troubles and ailments affecting your life. It releases endorphins, which are the neurotransmitters that communicate feelings of pleasure. With that, it helps relieve tension and stress, effectively promoting relaxation. It lifts your mood! You have a chance of feeling better and happier more often, if you learn to laugh more.

Laugh for yourself, but also laugh for others. Laughter is contagious and connects people. Even a simple smile can elicit one from someone else. Seeking out the humor in life cuts down on judgment and criticism while increasing acceptance.

Brandy Little, Leslie Alig, and Jeremy Koonce Failing at Making a Pyramid photo by Erin Byrne

Of course there is a time when laughing at someone can be cruel and abusive. I’m not suggesting you make fun of people or yourself, or hurt people. I’m just suggesting you ease up and seek out the humor in life’s absurdities and everyday moments. Try laughing at life situations instead of bemoaning them. Find the ability to laugh at your own mishaps, and be content with being foolish. There is freedom in that.

Nick Barkley Sliding into the Stream in Zion National Park photo by Brandy Little

“Life is so damn short. For f*ck’s sake, just do what makes you happy.” – Bill Murray