Discovering Your Inner Imp

I think that we all have a little imp inside.  You know, a bright-eyed little troublemaker that whispers, "I know it's not nice, but it would be so funny!"  I think that this is the reason that shows like America's Funniest Home Videos and American Idol are so popular--because our inner imps love to see people get hit  in the head with something and sing really off-key in front of millions of people.  How can you explain the fame of Snooki except for the fact that she looks like a walking practical joke and we like to make fun of her for it?

There are situations in which it is important to keep you inner imp in check:

     --helping an old woman cross the street (it would not be funny to trip her)

     --job interviews (probably not a good idea to giggle when interviewer starts talking about duties)

     --funerals (while good for a chuckle, making foam snakes pop out of the coffin is inappropriate)

Still, I think that maybe we keep our imps on too tight a leash.  The desire to keep that little devil in check can drown our ability to make light of painful situations.  No, we shouldn't push people because it's funny to watch them fall, but I know it's hilarious when I fall down.  I once fell face-first off of a bus and was torn between laughing at my falling and laughing at the expressions of the witnesses who were trying not to laugh until they knew I was still alive.  Don't close the elevator door on a colleague because it's funny to watch his sweaty out-of-breath face after taking the stairs, but recognize that you probably look laughable after taking the stairs, too.

So remember, it's important to indulge your inner imp on occasion.  It needs to get some practice to help you laugh through difficult times.  And laughing is good for you.  Wikipedia said so!