Well, now we are both overwhelmed and verklempt! Let's continue to shine our lights and encourage others to shine theirs' as well. Just an FYI... I sent Robert an e-mail asking for your permission to share this blogpost with my subscribers.
I don't watch much television and I'm one of those who hops around on streaming services. Every year when the new season of Ted Lasso starts I come back to Apple TV and when the season is over, I stop my subscription. It is so refreshing to see a show that is about positivity and not sugar-coated. That show has made me laugh and cry numerous times!
St Francis of Assisi was the first holy fool I was introduced to. Some thought he was crazy for his ideas of living community, praising all living things and doing outrageous things. I know there was a time when clown ministry was a "thing". And having done this - dressed up and put on a full clown face, there is something freeing about being the fool.
Thanks for the post today Carrie. It's good to smile and then smile again!
Hi Carrie, your topic holy fool resonates so deeply with me that my book (which comes out this week) Faith Like a Child has a whole chapter entitled "Humor and the Holy Fool." Sounds like the Spirit is weaving big threads for us all.
Thanks so much for the Ted Lasso recommendation. I will happily check it out. Your comments about preacher humor make me curious about my own ancestors. There has been a significant sense of humor in my family, which makes life more fun and interesting. I wonder if my great-grandfather, (a Methodist circuit rider in Montana, late 1800s) was inspired to include humor in his stories?
When I think of the “holy fool,” the novel “The Idiot” by Dostoevsky comes to mind. The main character, Prince Myshkin, could be seen as a “holy fool.” Although he is often mocked by people in society as a “fool,” he really is an intelligent, thoughtful man who continually treats others with compassion.
The concept of the “holy fool” appeals to me in many ways. For me, it means being vulnerable and empathetic with others, even if this means getting hurt (which it inevitably does). Also, it speaks to a willingness to be different in a good way from what society often promotes as being the “smart” approach, ie., cynical, survival of the fittest, acting out of anger and fear. Of course, I don’t think the “holy fool” means having poor boundaries or being a doormat. But having good boundaries is a form of kindness to oneself and to others.
In my own life, I was somewhat of a “holy fool” when it came to dating relationships before I met Ruth. Some of these relationships were tough, and I got burned. However, instead of becoming jaded about romance, I continued to be open and vulnerable. I’m glad I did.
I like your reference to “The Idiot”. Yes, sometimes what is considered “conventional wisdom” by the culture, is not deep or the wisdom of the heart. I also really appreciate that living intentionally in to the wisdom of the heart doesnt mean you let go of all healthy boundaries, as healthy boundaries are a form of kindness. Thank you for your story of hanging in there for love. I image Ruth is glad you did too :-)
"I Believe" Carrie. Thank you for this lovely, predictably astute sharing. I too have loved the essential qualities of this series but have not been able to frame it as clearly as you have. I now I get some things right, but mostly I'm a fool. Thanks for all you share.
The article I linked to really helped me articulate my fondness for Ted. One of the things I consider a great gift of my vocation is that when I travel I meet such fine and decent people everywhere. Not one place or two or even most. Everywhere. We are not alone in our longing and daily contributions to making the world little better kinder place. I meet them here on A Gathering Of Spirits too. Thank you for posting my friend.
I think you Carrie show many signs of following the kind of thinking and acting the Ted Lasso ways. All deeply Divine in all of life. I love how you think, believe, live your life Carrie.
I spent the pandemic running around with a one toothed puppet of in the streets of NYC. I’m sure some of my friends and family thought I was “crazy” but in this crazy world I’d rather be a fool. Turns out many long to play. Humaning is serious business but it’s easier to do when having fun.
Carrie, this is lovely! I love your insights and I share your delight and love of Ted Lasso! You are a shining light and I am grateful that I have gotten to see you in Bloomington as many times as I have! Keep shining!
A couple of weeks ago a visiting pastor spoke of Ted Lasso, and now you. Anyone who brings humanity and kindness into our world is worth looking into! AND what’s a group subscription? Is it just subscriptions for multiple people?
My Daddy who was a preacher always used humor in his sermons and in his daily life. He would wear funny t shirts in the pulpit under his robe sometimes and would show everyone when it came time to make his point in the sermon. You never left Church without laughing. As a young girl sometimes I was embarrassed and my Momma would sometimes call him on the carpet about it but he would say "oh Peggy don't worry about it I got my point across didn't I?"I had never heard the term holy fool but I love it. What a gift it is to be a holy fool and what a gift it was to have a Daddy who at time was one too. I have to say too that I love Ted Lasso because when I watch it I feel so darn good after it. My husband and I clap at the end of every episode because we are happy and feel good. So today I am going to be thankful for holy fools and for you too Carrie for teaching me something new and for a Daddy who was a holy fool.
I love reading about you dad wearing funny t-shirt under his robe. What a a great story. It makes me grin to think of you and your husband clapping at the end of an episode. Sigh….we all long for stories of hope.
I sure did and thank you Hannah. We lost my Daddy when he was only 63 years old...I was only 36. I miss him everyday. I love sharing all the joy he shared with his family and others.
I love this, and agree wholeheartedly! I also love your music
The Fool in Tarot is about hope for the future, innocence and spontaneity. Taking a leap of faith...
Love Ted Lasso for similar reasons. Always reminds me of Ned Sanders...
Ah Carrie, so glad you liked me Ted Lasso. While I know you are a serious type, I’ve always loved your quirky sense of humor!
Good morning Carrie!
Well, now we are both overwhelmed and verklempt! Let's continue to shine our lights and encourage others to shine theirs' as well. Just an FYI... I sent Robert an e-mail asking for your permission to share this blogpost with my subscribers.
I don't watch much television and I'm one of those who hops around on streaming services. Every year when the new season of Ted Lasso starts I come back to Apple TV and when the season is over, I stop my subscription. It is so refreshing to see a show that is about positivity and not sugar-coated. That show has made me laugh and cry numerous times!
St Francis of Assisi was the first holy fool I was introduced to. Some thought he was crazy for his ideas of living community, praising all living things and doing outrageous things. I know there was a time when clown ministry was a "thing". And having done this - dressed up and put on a full clown face, there is something freeing about being the fool.
Thanks for the post today Carrie. It's good to smile and then smile again!
Hi Carrie, your topic holy fool resonates so deeply with me that my book (which comes out this week) Faith Like a Child has a whole chapter entitled "Humor and the Holy Fool." Sounds like the Spirit is weaving big threads for us all.
My son and I are real fans of Ted Lsso. I just want to maybe see them win some more games.
Thanks so much for the Ted Lasso recommendation. I will happily check it out. Your comments about preacher humor make me curious about my own ancestors. There has been a significant sense of humor in my family, which makes life more fun and interesting. I wonder if my great-grandfather, (a Methodist circuit rider in Montana, late 1800s) was inspired to include humor in his stories?
When I think of the “holy fool,” the novel “The Idiot” by Dostoevsky comes to mind. The main character, Prince Myshkin, could be seen as a “holy fool.” Although he is often mocked by people in society as a “fool,” he really is an intelligent, thoughtful man who continually treats others with compassion.
The concept of the “holy fool” appeals to me in many ways. For me, it means being vulnerable and empathetic with others, even if this means getting hurt (which it inevitably does). Also, it speaks to a willingness to be different in a good way from what society often promotes as being the “smart” approach, ie., cynical, survival of the fittest, acting out of anger and fear. Of course, I don’t think the “holy fool” means having poor boundaries or being a doormat. But having good boundaries is a form of kindness to oneself and to others.
In my own life, I was somewhat of a “holy fool” when it came to dating relationships before I met Ruth. Some of these relationships were tough, and I got burned. However, instead of becoming jaded about romance, I continued to be open and vulnerable. I’m glad I did.
I like your reference to “The Idiot”. Yes, sometimes what is considered “conventional wisdom” by the culture, is not deep or the wisdom of the heart. I also really appreciate that living intentionally in to the wisdom of the heart doesnt mean you let go of all healthy boundaries, as healthy boundaries are a form of kindness. Thank you for your story of hanging in there for love. I image Ruth is glad you did too :-)
"I Believe" Carrie. Thank you for this lovely, predictably astute sharing. I too have loved the essential qualities of this series but have not been able to frame it as clearly as you have. I now I get some things right, but mostly I'm a fool. Thanks for all you share.
Tucson, May 7
The article I linked to really helped me articulate my fondness for Ted. One of the things I consider a great gift of my vocation is that when I travel I meet such fine and decent people everywhere. Not one place or two or even most. Everywhere. We are not alone in our longing and daily contributions to making the world little better kinder place. I meet them here on A Gathering Of Spirits too. Thank you for posting my friend.
well there ya go, evidence...."know"
I think you Carrie show many signs of following the kind of thinking and acting the Ted Lasso ways. All deeply Divine in all of life. I love how you think, believe, live your life Carrie.
I think of Richard Caemmerer’s painting, “Laughing Christ”....
I love that painting and think of it often. Thanks suzanne for the reminder.
I spent the pandemic running around with a one toothed puppet of in the streets of NYC. I’m sure some of my friends and family thought I was “crazy” but in this crazy world I’d rather be a fool. Turns out many long to play. Humaning is serious business but it’s easier to do when having fun.
I looooove that you brought joy to people with a puppet in a time when we all needed some light and laughter.
Carrie, this is lovely! I love your insights and I share your delight and love of Ted Lasso! You are a shining light and I am grateful that I have gotten to see you in Bloomington as many times as I have! Keep shining!
Oh my, Thank you Nancy. Thank means so much. Ok, now Im verklempt. You so shine in the world my friend…may we all keep bringing in the light.
A couple of weeks ago a visiting pastor spoke of Ted Lasso, and now you. Anyone who brings humanity and kindness into our world is worth looking into! AND what’s a group subscription? Is it just subscriptions for multiple people?
My Daddy who was a preacher always used humor in his sermons and in his daily life. He would wear funny t shirts in the pulpit under his robe sometimes and would show everyone when it came time to make his point in the sermon. You never left Church without laughing. As a young girl sometimes I was embarrassed and my Momma would sometimes call him on the carpet about it but he would say "oh Peggy don't worry about it I got my point across didn't I?"I had never heard the term holy fool but I love it. What a gift it is to be a holy fool and what a gift it was to have a Daddy who at time was one too. I have to say too that I love Ted Lasso because when I watch it I feel so darn good after it. My husband and I clap at the end of every episode because we are happy and feel good. So today I am going to be thankful for holy fools and for you too Carrie for teaching me something new and for a Daddy who was a holy fool.
I love reading about you dad wearing funny t-shirt under his robe. What a a great story. It makes me grin to think of you and your husband clapping at the end of an episode. Sigh….we all long for stories of hope.
I sure did and thank you Hannah. We lost my Daddy when he was only 63 years old...I was only 36. I miss him everyday. I love sharing all the joy he shared with his family and others.