Mike Tyson

Some of my blog readers have made a request that I write "another funny one." I must admit I don't really have an ON and OFF funny button. It just kind of happens...or doesn't.

My funny is particularly bewildering when it turns on in inappropriate situations such as funerals...No one should laugh at death, but leave it to me and I'll have some smart ass remark.

Or when one of my children runs face first into a wall. My husband will be running to their aid staring at me with judgmental eyes as I lay on the floor peeing myself with laughter.

This makes taking them to indoor soccer an issue as there is always some kid who doesn't notice the clear wall surrounding the field and attempts to run full force through it. It's one thing for me to laugh at my own child's expense, but laughing at other people's children is not socially acceptable to say the least.

It's almost like a tick. In those moments, I swear my brain puts me on autopilot and, although I know that what I'm about to say should probably not be said, I suffer from a slew of word vomit.

Then there's the after math. Real time turns to slow motion as I'll look around and gage the expressions on everyone's faces. Did they think I am funny? Or is it time to find a new group of friends?

So interestingly enough, I came across a blog post, regarding people's desire to "bite" their children. Not like an abusive, painful bite, but more like a soft nibble of their toes or ears. Seems strange...even my husband looked at me kind of weird when I shared this article and yet moments later he started wrestling with our two year old, pretending to "eat" his cheek. I, myself, enjoy a good baby toe nibble.

This article explains that a study done by psychological scientists at Yale University tested the theory of "dimorphous expressions" or "cute aggression."*

Basically it came down to the fact that people have weird ways of dealing with overwhelming emotion. Some might have the fight or flight response, some avoid emotions all together ending up in therapy later (I added that last bit), some actually "respond with the opposite expression from what we feel..." Hey, that's me!*

Why do you want to nibble your baby? Because you are so overwhelmed by his or her cuteness that you instinctively desire to do the opposite, which of course would be to eat him or her. I wonder if anyone ever vomits at the sight of their baby? Just a thought.

Maybe Mike Tyson should look deep into his heart for his true feelings about Evander Holyfield. Maybe cuteness is in the eye, or in this case mouth of the beholder. Although I think the fact that he broke the skin makes this example not applicable to the study.

Why do I giggle when I'm uncomfortable or make lite of horrific events? My brain is simply overwhelmed by the REAL emotions that I'm feeling.

I'm not a cruel person. I'm the kid whose mom had to keep her from watching the news because I'd obsess over ever story almost reliving everyone else's pain. I still have a hard time with the news. Seriously, I must suffer from acute empathy...If that's a thing. 

Side note, if you're one of those people who relentlessly post images of child or animal abuse on Facebook, I've stopped following you. Nothing personal, I just like to avoid going into a five day depression after streaming the Facebook feed. 

Guess that brings me to the comedians who struggle with alcohol/drug abuse and depression often leading to their demise. Now I'm not comparing myself to Robin Williams by any means, but I think it's fair to say, it's all relatable. Maybe these people are more extreme and suffer from acute apathy. There I go again making a joke out of a tragedy. I miss Robin Williams.

Kind of makes me worry about Jimmy Fallon though. He's way too funny to be happy. Or maybe he is just practicing what I am... I use comedy as therapy or release. Nothing can ever hurt you if you have a sense of humor about it. 

Currently, I have succumbed to comedy regarding my family, my body image, my parenting skills, my marriage and low and behold, although they are the biggest pleasures in my life, they are also the creators of my stress.

Sure, sometimes I get angry or frustrated with my children and husband. Sure, sometimes I get stressed out and cry in the super market parking lot. But at the end of the day, I am the happiest I have ever been. Truly, I have learned to find the humor in all things especially when it comes to myself. I'm not sure how people without a sense of humor make it through the tough times...

And for those of you disappointed by this post, I promise, the next time the funny switch turns ON I'll write a funny one...It'll probably be called, "I Don't Fart."

My advice for everyone today is get over yourself and laugh! We all know, life is better when you're laughing.

*http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/so-cute-i-could-eat-it-the-science-behind-cute-aggression-9860440.html
*http://www.buzzfeed.com/morganshanahan/the-real-reason-you-kind-of-want-to-take-a-bite-out-of-your