Wisdom
“Fools laugh at others. Wisdom laughs at itself.” ~ Osho
It’s a small person who laughs at others. That laughter is a judgment, an indication that someone believes he or she is better than the other. Laughing at someone belittles them. It can actually be seen as harassment if the situation is right. Laughing as oneself? Well, that is honest. It is humbling. It is a recognition that we do not know everything and that we can — and do — make mistakes.
If we have the ability to laugh at ourselves, Osho would claim that is the beginning of wisdom. For wisdom informs us in all things. As wisdom inform us of the nature of the things on earth as well as the things above, wisdom also reminds us of our own nature, frail and fickle as it may be.
The most dangerous thing that we can do is to take ourselves too seriously. Doing so is practically a guarantee for failure. If we take ourselves too seriously, we will not check ourselves and make sure that we have all the information that we need. We will not observe our environment to make sure that we are as safe as possible. We will not take the precautions that we need in order to remain on the path to the Kingdom.
Laughing at oneself is actually a great stress relief. Laughing at others is just plain old wrong.
FAITH ACTION: Treat everyone you encounter with kindness and respect today.