Gallows Humor
This post could be seen as a bit of a follow up on my post
about the Golden Globe Award monologue...
Click HERE if you haven't read it yet!
Many folk that I know who have spent any time dealing
w/people in crisis, be it medical emergencies (physical & mental), criminal
behavior, security, military service, tough parenting, (bartending even) just
to name a few...
You know, situations where there's potential for some
serious sh*t to happen... Things like consequences and stuff we really, really
don't want to happen physically, emotionally, socially, financially, you name
it. Situations that are dire, when things are really on the line or feel like
it.
The more the drama, conflict and violence we have to manage,
the more we need to somehow find a way to deal emotionally with those
circumstances (In the moment, before and after).
We have many ways of dealing...
Some healthy... others, not so much.
One way many of us deal is by having 'Gallows Humor'.
_______________
gal·lows hu·mor
_______________
/ˈɡalōz ˈ(h)yo͞omər/
noun
Grim and ironic humor in a desperate or hopeless situation.
The darker and more serious the situation, the darker the
humor can get...
However there are two (of many) things that can get in the
way...
Modern Culture
A coroner's job is easy:
Every death is 'natural causes'...
"He was stabbed 15 times in the neck so, naturally, he
died."
_______________________________________________
Two coroners cracking jokes about their last 'client'
wouldn't be appropriate around the person's family...
And I'm sure no professional would share their humor in that
context...
ENTER OUR MODERN WORLD....
Now in today's day and age where we have more social /
professional transparency than ever...
And as for boundaries on a personal and professional
level!?!
Forget about it...
To say there is a lack would be an understatement.
This has resulted into some pretty substantial problems...
Now due to our interconnectiveness of the internet, people
who aren't your friends (professional or not) are ALL seeing, hearing and
reading your comments, jokes, pictures, videos, you name it.
Our personal & professional lives are on display &
out in the open for all to see, which has repercussions both good and bad.
That comment that you might say, the smart a$$ remark you'd
retort or off color joke you'd crack might be fine around you, your friends and
colleagues.
HOWEVER...
They are not the only ones hearing those things now...
EVERYONE is! =(
I don't know if this has contributed to our current
oversensitivity, lack of tolerance, political correctness and loss of
resiliency to pretty much everything, but it surely isn't helping!
Dark humor, irony and sarcasm have pretty much become
illegal now-a-days. Being an a$$ hole has gotten to the point of being a
federal offense.
I'm not advocating that anyone should be one, only that it
shouldn't be illegal. It's one of the hidden costs of freedom.
With the state of the current affairs, it's a wonder I
haven't been deported yet due to my disposition! =D
This is one of the reason's I'm not a huge advocate or
participant of social media, be it fb, youtube, twitter or the like...
It's unbelievable what's going on out 'there'...
People getting fired, sued, even indited over tweets, posts
and pics!
Part is the environment we're living in...
But, I have to be honest here...
You may or may not agree, but, some people are their own
worse enemy!
STOP SHARING ALL YOUR SH8 ON LINE!!
Most of the stuff I'd lean over and say to my partner or
friend would've gotten me in trouble 25 years ago if someone would've heard it,
let alone plastering all over public networks of thousands (or more!) people...
Most of whom you don't really even know...
Over sharing opinions, comments and things meant as jokes
leaves room for things to be taken out of context or overheard by people who
simply don't 'get' or agree w/those type of comments.
We all know that the squeaky wheel gets the grease so to
speak, and it's easier than ever for these folks to share their feelings of
being offended, appalled, disrespected or discriminated against... whatever.
And some of these folks aren't only sharing on line, some
are taking organizational and legal action!
It's a problem!
We all have our own public reality shows now!
Congratulations you're a star!
Which comes w/the good, bad and ugly being in the public
eye, even if you didn't invite or want it!
Dark(er) Side of the Humor
Now, I believe that much of this type of humor and outlook
comes from good people either who are dealing with a circumstance and/or (like
me) they are just wired that way...
However, we do have to be careful because if out of balance,
this type of humor and perspective can be thinly veiled indicators to true
unhealthy behavior and in certain circumstances professional practices.
Also, if left unchecked, it can be the beginning to the
slippery slope of desensitizing and dehumanizing people and situations...
We have to be careful not to have this type of perspective
and humor build walls around our emotions, compassion and empathy that are
essential for our relationships, jobs and lives.
Once again my brothers and sisters in arms...
It's a delicate balance.
Soap Boxes & Rabbit Holes
I didn't intend for this email to turn into such a rabbit
hole...
However it is a good subject to talk about because it is an
issue today!
No real solutions on this post, just a discussion... I do have
some suggestions, but will save them for another time.
If you track at all with this, you might be interested in my [almost] Daily email subscription, complete w/a FREE 'Street Smart' Survival Guidebook that comes directly out of the PeaceWalker Protector System
available only through my Exclusive $97/month Coaching Membership.
Here's the link to pick up your FREE Survival Guide & Start Getting My [almost] Daily tips!
Talk to you later.
Keep going,
~Craig
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