Reasons to Be a Little Silly Every Day
Being serious has its place, but a touch of silliness makes life brighter for everyone. From breaking awkward silences to building closer friendships, letting go and acting a bit silly now and again does more good than most people realise.
Whether you’re playing with dog friends or just brightening up someone’s day with a bit of harmless fun, being silly helps us to connect, relax and see the world in a new way.
Why England Needs More Silliness!
What has happened over the last few years in the media, politics and comedy? It was only a few years back when our favourite comedians were delightfully silly – think of Ken Dodd or Les Dawson (or from the over the border, Billy Connolly).
All were skilled writers and comedians, but also slightly nuts!
- Ken Dodd and his tickling stick, and his ‘diddy men’ who lived in the jam butty mines of Knotty Ash.
- Les Dawson (who actually played the piano very well) making a horrendous noise on the piano, for his TV shows.
- Morecambe and Wise were also very silly. Remember Eric Morecambe, when he told Andre Previn that ‘he was playing all the right notes, just not necessarily in the right order’.
- Billy Connolly was known for singing the theme tune to the Archers, and suggesting it should replace ‘God Save the Queen’ as our national anthem!
Yet today in comedy, we have ‘nastiness’ in comedy. It should never be politically correct, but good comedy has heart – and silliness.
Same in politics:
Their policies are not as daft as you would think (like being able to change our mind on voting, if they are not doing a good job – like a 7-day change your mind guarantee!) But the Monster Raving Loony Party could only happen in England – because we’re silly!
In no other country, would such a party get votes. But it’s a given that at big elections (especially in the Prime Minister’s results, you can always bet that there will be a candidate with a big funny hat, who always loses, but always graciously congratulates the winner).
Compare the seriousness of our modern leaders (Starmer, Badenoch, Trump) with say Ed Davey (the Lib Dem leader). Whether you agree with his policies or not, his silliness during the election campaign (especially considering he cares for a seriously disabled son) won many seats.
If people did not sometimes do silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done. Ludwig Wittgenstein
Same in media:
Not so long ago, the media was a bit silly. An episode of Parkinson, when someone like Robin Williams would have everyone in stitches, as a guest.
Today, we have ‘nasty’ TV: from Big Brother and Come Dine with Me (which always makes nasty comments about contestants) to The Traitors (encourages bullying and dishonesty) and reality talent shows, that laugh at people with no talent.
Let’s go back to simply being kind and silly!
The great pleasure of a dog, is that you may make a fool of yourself with him. And not only will he not scold you. But he will make a fool of himself too. Samuel Butler
The word ‘silly’ derives from the Greek ‘selig’ meaning ‘blessed’. There is something sacred in being able to be silly. Paul Pearsell
Ken Dodd’s Tattyfilarious Jokes!
If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you!
I wouldn’t part with my teeth. I’m the only one in my family who can eat a tomato through a tennis racquet.
Silly Wisdom from Billy Connolly
There are two seasons in Scotland: June and winter.
Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cosy, doesn’t try it on.
Scotland, it’s a beautiful place. The water is almost turquoise. It looks like the Caribbean. You soon realise it’s not the Caribbean, when the water touches your scrotum, and you go for the high jump record.
On Ronald Reagan (could now be Trump): That man, he sits at that desk in the White House. And the button is there that can end the world. BOOM! My father’s younger than him. And we don’t give him the control for the TV.
Silly Wisdom from Robin Williams
If it’s the Psychic Network, why do they need a phone number?
Cricket is basically baseball on Valium.
Politicians are like diapers (nappies). They should be changed frequently, and for the same reason.
In a sea of celebrity-obsessed media fodder (and politicians who bore and tell lies), let’s remember Robin Williams.
Born in Chicago, this shy nerdy child went on to become one of the funniest men in the world. A room-mate at college with fellow actor Christopher Reeve, the latter would share his food with him, while Robin waited for his money to come through.
Some years later when Christopher was paralysed in a tragic accident, Robin arrived at the hospital in a yellow surgical gown and blue scrub hat, announcing (in a Russian accent) that he was the proctologist, and he had to examine the patient immediately. Christopher later remarked it was the first time he had laughed, since the accident.
Voted ‘least likely to succeed’ at school (what kind of teachers would do that?), it turned out he was as nice in person, as in most of his movies. When he performed in Mrs Doubtfire, actress Lisa Kakub (who played his oldest daughter) was told she could not go back to her school, due to filming the blockbuster.
He wrote a personal letter to the school (which they framed, but still did not allow her back). But Lisa wrote later on that in an industry full of back-stabbing people, she had learned that some huge stars were not like that, and he had her back.
Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘Let’s Party!’
In England, if you commit a crime, the police don’t have a gun, and you don’t have a gun. The police will stay ‘Stop – or I’ll say stop again!’
I think the saddest people always try their hardest, to make people happy. Because they know what it feels like, to feel absolutely worthless. And they don’t want anybody else to feel like that.
There’s no shame in failing. The only shame is not giving things your best shot.
Don’t associate yourself with toxic people. It’s better to be alone and love yourself. Then surrounded by people that make you hate yourself.
Life is fleeting. If you’re ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky, when the stars are strung across the velveting night. And when a shooting star streaks through the blackness, turning night into day – make a wish and think of me.
