Learn to laugh at yourself – it’s a sign of maturity!
I found a fun quote from Ethel Barrymore, a great-great aunt of Drew Barrymore. She was an actor from 1895 to 1957 and part of a family who made their life on the stage. She said,
“You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself.”
~ Ethel Barrymore
When did you first learn to laugh at yourself?
I’m guessing that learning to laugh at yourself isn’t a one-time event. I think we grow into the ability.
Eventually, we all learn that nobody is really looking at us, even if we think they are. And that we’re not all that important, and the actions we take (on the whole) may or may not be wise and won’t usually make everyone happy or unhappy.
None of us are that important or famous that we shouldn’t be able to see our faults or mistakes and laugh along with others. No one is perfect. Not even us!
What makes you most often laugh about yourself?
I laugh at my own “boring-ness”. I find it easy to put children to sleep (especially the grandboy) because I’m not very exciting. And I laugh when people notice how often 
I say, “I’m sorry”. It’s a Canadian thing.
😉
Need some help to grow into laughter? Read this.
Have you ever seen Ethel Barrymore? Here’s a compilation of some of her stage/movie roles – she began acting at 14 after her mother died of tuberculosis and her career spanned 60 years. Her parents were actors, and her brothers were John and Lionel Barrymore. Today her family is represented by Drew Barrymore.
Below you can watch a video with Ethel Barrymore in 1952 on “What’s My Line?” a TV show that had guests guessing the identity and profession of individuals. I cued the video to begin when she came on the episode at minute 16:45, but you might find it fun to watch the whole episode! If you can’t see the YouTube video below, click HERE to go directly to YouTube.
