02.01.2010
  
Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of magine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.

Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.

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The court jester...
The medieval court jester was not the buffoon we might assume.

A good tailor--or at least a reputable milliner--might have helped the poor fellow's reputation in the community. But absent his clownish attire, the court jester would have forfeited the bells and whistles of the role that accompanied--er...well--the bells and whistles of his rigging.

The most valued court jesters knit foolishness with uncommon insight. Satire and other tools of their trade allowed jesters to communicate difficult truth--even criticism--of the behavior and policies of the king and his court when others were stilled by fear. Though some regarded the jester as a bit "tetched" in the head, others reckoned him to be inspired by God.

The court jester illustrates the power of "old soul" humor and wisdom when artfully balanced--an uncommon amalgam that reflects Jesus' own distinctive fusion of grace and truth (John 1:12, 14).

But, when popular culture promotes humor that's sordid and sarcastic, how might old soul humor show up?

One, old soul humor--in contrast to the condescension of much of contemporary humor--is often an expression of humility and self-deprecation. The court jester was willing to play the fool rather than imposing the role upon another. Those who wield old soul humor can witness of the profound while paradoxically not taking themselves too seriously and--at the same time--disarm their opponents. Philosopher Soren Kierkegaard went so far as to suggest, "Laughter is a type of prayer." Author Terry Hershey commented on Kierkegaard's observation, "...with laughter, we give up our need to control, or manage or manipulate."

Two
, old soul humor is inclusive; it tends to make others feel among "those who are in the know"--restoring a sense of power to the sorrowful and the oppressed. By contrast, sordid and sarcastic humor typically isolates its targets.

Three
, old soul humor is grounded in truth. Like wisdom itself, it's a product of knowledge and uncommon discernment. The greatest humorists--from slapstick to satirists--have been astute observers of the human condition and relationships. Familiar with people and patterns, they can, therefore, identify unexpected connections, incongruities, ironies--the very stuff of humor.

Old soul humor--unlike its crude cousins--is tantamount to humility, empathy, and truth. Might old soul humor then be just another expression of wisdom?

Now, about that hat...



How much effort do you expend in convincing others that you take yourself seriously? What's the "payoff," or not?

Who or what do you find amusing? You can pull from the present or from as far back in history as you'd like.


Has your taste in humor left you with a sense of wonder or cynicism?

Did you know...the word "sarcasm" comes from a Greek word meaning, "tear the flesh." What does the word call up for you?

Regardless of the profundity of your responsibility or your comic ability (or not), what lessons might you draw from the court jester?

Do you think the apostle Paul might have had, unwittingly and even unwillingly, elements of the court jester? By his own account, he wasn't much to look at; he may have endured a physical disfigurement of some sort; he wasn't a compelling orator; and he even described his message as "the foolishness of preaching." (Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:21; 2:1-5 4:10; 2 Corinthians 10:10; 12:7-10). What do you think?
Michael Fox
m�agine!

530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241  
In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice
and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--

as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.

Michael's books include
 
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.

Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.

Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.

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