Even with all the... Stuff

So, in my line of work—travelling and preaching about the UU Hysterical Society—I keep having the same conversation over and over.

Someone will sidle up to me in coffee hour, and say “It’s important to laugh”.

I will nod, because if there’s anyone who values laughter, it’s me.

“We need to keep laughing.  Even with all the… stuff…” they will say.

“Especially with all the… stuff…” I will answer.

This whole conversation is had in the hushed tone that I imagine is usually reserved for the buying and selling of drugs.

UUs are earnest people.  We care about the world.  And when things get serious, our reflex is to get serious as well.

I don’t buy it.  Serious times call for serious measures, but not only serious measures. Laughter and joy are not fancy china to be hauled out only for celebrations. They are for all of the times. In times like these, they are more important, not less.

In the words of Dan Savage:  “During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night.  The dance kept us in the fight, because it was the dance we were fighting for.  It didn’t look like we were going to win, and then we did.  It doesn’t feel like we’re going to win now, but we could.  Keep fighting.  Keep dancing.”

I would add, keep laughing.

-Liz James, founder of the UU Hysterical Society.

Note: Want to use this reading (in worship or elsewhere)? Hooray! Want to modify it, to add words like “we light this chalice” or whatever? Great! Want to make a substantive change, because as time passes language changes or whatever, or you need to change it to suit your context? Go ahead! No need to ask permission. Worship leaders’ lives are complex enough as it is—just go ahead and use this reading (or anything else on this site) however you want.