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Funny thing is...

Sometimes I find the best way to cope with adversity or sorrow or loss is to joke about it. Humor is a big part of who I am and how I approach life. My sense of humor has gotten me through some very tough and trying times. It has helped me to take myself less seriously. It has been a welcomed diversion when faced with grim circumstances and outcomes. But just like beauty, humor is in the eye (and sometimes ear) of the beholder. What I find funny, you may not. What makes you laugh hysterically may make me cringe or simply scratch my head in a perplexed manner. I think it would greatly benefit everyone to understand this sort of diversity when it comes to humor in order to better temper and gauge reactions to other people's humor online in social media-type settings. Granted, some memes and posts are just downright insensitive and offensive and therein lies the humor for that particular person. Some people's idea of humor is pissing off or triggering as many other people as possible -especial those who hold a different religious, philosophical, or political point of view. There's really no way to one-up someone like that because once you respond, they'll consider that a victory. And any attention only serves to encourage them more. As hard as it may be for me sometimes, I try to just ignore those types of posts. There's a very responsive scroll wheel on my mouse and I have no problem whatsoever locating the 'unfollow' or 'unfriend' feature on Facebook. But let's focus instead on the humor coming from our closer acquaintances and friends. People you'd expect to hold similar views and values to yours. Just because they post something they think is funny, it still doesn't guarantee that you will; and vice versa. In such a situation, LET IT GO. Instead of ramping up a mile-long thread of accusations and insults, just let it go. If you can let it go, then perhaps consider you may have taken what you read or what you saw the wrong way. Follow up with the person in a private message. Ask them what they meant by the post or the meme. Explain why it triggered you. What I'm saying here is I'd like to make civility a good friend of humor. I wish them to be best buds; even in moments when they may disagree with each other. We can apply this to our current COVID-19 Pandemic situation. There's a lot of jokes flying around and I've seen a couple people getting extremely pissed off that others are joking around about something that is literally causing death and sickness in the country. But maybe -just maybe- the majority of this humor is just a coping mechanism. It's not meant as a sign of disrespect for anyone adversely affected by the virus, it's just a way for folks to maybe de-stress a little bit. I've joked about it plenty.  I think it's a more constructive use of my time than getting pissed off at the government or the crazy panicked masses who are determined to hoard all the toilet paper and hand cleaner they can get their hands on. I've taken the time to educate myself about the virus based on what is currently known. I'm mentally and emotionally prepared for this situation to get worse before it gets better. I know the odds are greater by the day that I will be exposed and I may get sick from it.  I'm OK with that, but I'm also going to everything that I consider 'reasonable' and 'prudent' to make sure I do my part to slow the community spread of this illness. Here again, my idea of what is 'reasonable and prudent' may not be the same as your idea. I'm OK with discussing that with you too, but just know that I'm a fairly pragmatic type guy and I love facts and information. From those facts and information, I've developed my way forward for the next couple of days/weeks. Should new, more complete information become available, I will adjust accordingly. And I will continue to use humor throughout this entire ordeal as long as it helps me to cope. If that offends you, I'm genuinely sorry and want you to know that's not my intention. Don't get mad at me or lecture me. Just keep on scrolling.

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