Humor and Failed Events

“You tried, and you failed, so the lesson is, never try” Homer Simpson

Failed event humor is a small step in building resilience and engaging you in the practice of learning from failed events. If you have seen or even experienced a failed event, it is a chance to practice using humor to reduce anxiety. I challenge people to take another look around them and connect one or more of the following philosophies: Behaviorist, Social Learning Theory (Bandura), Social Development Theory and Dialectivism (Vygotsky), Experiential Learning Theory [and Inventory] (Kolb), Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow), Information Processing Theory, Stage Theory of Cognitive Development (Piaget), or Constructivism.

This may seem like an academic exercise. With practice, you will not only begin to view failed events in a more positive light, but more importantly you will build your critical analysis skills to move beyond existence in the world as a passenger to become part of the system in recognizing and subsequently acting on an event. As in any learning, we must crawl before we walk, before we run. Awareness of the connections that you have made between these cartoons and a deeper philosophical connection to failed events and life will better enable you to select the path which suits you best. Ideally, this path will align with your values, pursuits, goals, aspirations, as well as connect with those you care for and wish to be part of their lives.