I’ve been watching and listening to a lot of comedians lately. Because when you need a little levity, who better to turn to than the professionals?
There’s one British comedian, in particular, who I think might be one of the funniest humans alive. Mike McIntyre has a knack for making me laugh so hard it hurts.
One of his standup bits about how hard it is to corral your kids and get them out the door to school sent me right back to the early days with my own kids. “It’s a daily battle just to do the basics,” he quips. So true.
The fights over dinner and vegetables. The battles over bathtime. The morning scramble to get the jacket, the backpack, the homework… and the inevitable last-minute announcement that, “Oh, by the way, today is Roman Day, and I’m supposed to dress like a Roman!”
If you’re a parent, tell me you haven’t been there before.
In this particular bit, he laments, “There’s no kid in the history of children who’s ever just gone, ‘Mum, Dad, listen. I’m exhausted tonight. I’m just going to head off to bed, I think. I managed to squeeze a shower in earlier, Mum, while you were cooking that amazing dinner. (I don’t know what you did with the broccoli. Was it something different? Because for me it could have been a meal all unto itself.) I didn’t tell you guys it was Roman Day tomorrow because I wanted to surprise you with the outfit that I’ve made. You’re gonna love it. I’ll see you by the door at about five to eight in my shoes and pants, and I’m gonna wear my coat because you never know. It is quite chilly.’”
And with his delivery, it’s just funny. I mean, rib-tearingly funny.
You hear it, and you realize the absurdity of the thought that any child would behave that rationally and thoughtfully (especially at such a young age, but even at 17). No matter how much we think we want it. It’s just ridiculous. We wouldn’t really want that. Well, maybe a little of it now and again. But there’s such a lack of realism to the sort of kid he’s talking about.
And in some ways, that’s what we do to ourselves — and each other. We have in our minds this ideal that isn’t very realistic in terms of what we truly want. And we’re often not cognizant of the price of that ideal that we think we want: the loss of the stories that will bring years of joy in countless recollections, the lessons learned, the opportunities to be the parent and teach and connect in the moments of the crazy… We don’t want perfection.
Being like that would be boring! Honestly.
If you take anything away from this, it would be that I encourage you to consider your expectations versus reality. Take a moment to check the unattainable, unfair standards you might have for yourself and others, whether it’s in your personal or professional life — or both. Oh, that, and listen to a lot of Michael McIntyre. The guy is hilarious.
What’s right in front of you, no matter how nonsensical, frustrating or absurd, might be exactly what you need — and want.
