- Image by ian boyd via Flickr
Written by Karen D. Swim
Today is April 1st and I am a fool! I am not the victim of an elaborate prank. I have not lost my ability to be prudent but I am proudly a fool. I have fallen victim to the folly known as absolute belief in what seems foolish to others. But, I am in great company.
Had it not been for great fools of the past, we would still believe the earth was flat, we never would have dared to create flying machines and this message would be in Morse code. Long live the fool who risked it all when no one else believed. Kudos to the dreamer who passionately pursued uncharted territory even after failing over and over again.
Today is the perfect day to join the ranks of fools, to heroically follow your own internal compass and believe in what seems impossible. As others laugh at foolish pranks, let us join the dance and celebrate our fooolish dreams.
Have you ever been afraid to take a risk for fear of appearing foolish? How did you overcome it?
For an extra shot of motivation:
- Joanna Young on Heroes and Ripple Effects
- Grab a pick axe and climb The Mountain with Robert Hruzek
- Travis Millward discusses the intersection of Persistence and Opportunity
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@Hilda, sorry for the delay, I had to rescue you from moderation. 🙂 I love the George Bernard Shaw quote! It was perfect for the day and definitely provides me with encouragement. Thanks for sharing it!
@Meryl, lol! Don’t you love the ways kids are tickled pink by the silliest stuff? 🙂 I love spending time with the wee ones, giggling for no reason. I also agree that those we thought were fools are now known as brilliant thinkers. I now tend to watch the “odd ones” because they are often the people with ahead of their time ideas.
@Lillie, thank you so much for that Lillie! Dancing a jig with my court jester hat on. 🙂
@Barbara, you are truly a model of courage. You are so right that what may sound off key to some is beautiful when it’s your song, sung your way, in your key. :-0
Well I’m a mom in my 40s who regularly spar with guys in their 20s who can wipe the floor with me (translation, I probably look ‘way foolish)…. so I got over looking foolish a long time ago. 🙂
One always has to give oneself permission to sing their own song, even if the rest of the world thinks it’s off-key. Who knows, someday it might become a hit. 🙂
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog post..Rainbows follow ME in search of GOLD – Make Money and Lose Weight
Karen,
Keep on being a wonderful, talented, delightful fool!
Lillie Ammann´s last blog post..Miss Guided and Richard Turner
Love the twist — different perspective. Many intelligent folks were seen as fools yet years later, they have our ultimate respect.
My boys tried to fool me today. They cut out a paper spider and hung it from the loft. But I thought it was a person — it was too high up to see what it was. But it’s cute that both played into it, including my kindergartener. He asked me “What’s 2+2?” I know I answered that one correctly… he said I was wrong… then “April Fool’s!”
Meryl K. Evans´s last blog post..Writer Doesn’t Get Twitter
@Janice, we are on the same wavelength, lol! Your post just kinda hit me right there and I am feeling bold and creative, ready to leap. So, grabbing your hand, 1-2-3 JUMP! 🙂
Karen Swim´s last blog post..It’s April and I am the Fool
@Joanna, I love that quote! Because of all of you and the arrival of spring, I am ready to plant my stake in the ground and move from the shadows. I look forward to sharing more later this week. Thank you Joanna for supplying the wind that has helped me to fly.
Karen Swim´s last blog post..It’s April and I am the Fool
@Joely, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
@Brad, Happy April Fool’s Day! I agree, life is to be enjoyed and there is something about this season that really brings that out, don’t you think?
@Alex, the people who have the most impact on humanity are those that are wiling to be different, to stand out and not blend in because they have a belief, a passion and a purpose. Your post today illuminates that and beautifully shows that we find a deeper connection when we risk looking foolish.
@Robert, LOL! So what you’re saying is you pity the fool that calls you a fool (said with a Mr. T accent). bwahhahaha Hey, it IS April Fool’s right, so laughter is on tap and flowing. lol
@Andrew, I love your idea! What a great way to remind ourselves to laugh and not take life so seriously and bust out of our ruts. I love what you said about the risk taking too – it does not have to be a major life overhaul or big fat honking risk, even a small risk has a big impact and can fill you with courage to take yet another. Great idea!
Karen Swim´s last blog post..It’s April and I am the Fool
Karen, I love this post – esp this proud assertion in the title:
“I am the Fool” – sent shivers down my spine!
I heard this quote on twitter this morning and thought you might enjoy it:
He who lives without folly isn’t so wise as he thinks. ~~François, Duc de La Rochefoucauld
Have a wonderful day!
Joanna Young´s last blog post..Why I Talk About the Weather on Twitter
We are SO on the same wavelength.. I just responded to your comment on with a let’s jump and bingo yourself.. here we are…LOL…I’m in. 😉
Janice Cartier´s last blog post..Mark Twain’s Guide To Life
Karen,
Have I ever been afraid to take a risk? All too often, unfortunately.
Perhaps, we should all make a new April Fools resolution – play one good natured joke every year and take one new risk. It doesn’t have to be a world-changing risk, just one which gets us out of our comfort zones a little.
What do you think?
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Karen, nobody, but NOBODY calls ol’ Robert foolish and gets away with it! Nobody!
Well, sometimes they can get away with it. But not always! Just sometimes.
Er, except for that time… well, you see it was like this… I mean, it happened this way… it’s, um, not my fault!
Ah well, tip o’ the hat to ya Karen – you seem to have captured the nub of the gist – and that of my friends (and that includes YOU!) – quite succinctly. 😀
I’m quite happy being foolish – others call it gullible or out of touch, but it’s where I’m happiest. 😉
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post..Fear of an office job: Allison Day interview
Hi Karen,
Ten minutes after reading your post I came across this quote (synchronicity 😉 and had to come back and share it:
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” ~ George Bernard Shaw
all the best,
Hilda
Hilda´s last blog post..Beautiful free e-book of Personal Creeds
Hi Karen, Happy April Fools Day. I agree with Joely. People who are easily embarrassed have a hard time having fun. Better to be unembarrassable and enjoy life!
Brad Shorr´s last blog post..If You Have Lots to Say, Say It on a Business Blog
What a fantastic interpretation of April Fools!
J xx
Joely Black´s last blog post..And I’m feeling pretty amazing, too