The circle of humour

I have a concept in my head (and yours) called the ‘circle of humour’.

This metaphorical circle, irregular in shape and probably spheroidal in reality, encompasses some fraction of my emotions and emotional responses to external stimuli.

Inside the circle of humour we have a ‘clutch’ (an automotive metaphor, no less) whereby our own humour is used to change gears or to buy time, in response to external stimuli and emotional responses to the same.

In essence, the larger our circle of humour, the more of the emotional self that it covers, and the better armed we are against the wilful influence of the outside world.

Humour is in fact the Swiss Army Knife of emotions. Used wisely it can protect you, buy you time and unlock all sorts of situations.

Time spent expanding that circle of humour is time well spent.