I think every one of my dad’s sermons that I’ve heard or read opened with a bit of humor or personal story. It was his way of connecting – enticing the audience to want to listen and maybe even exhale a bit so they could take something deeper in.
My dad was a Presbyterian pastor for 40 years. So he kept a well curated stack of humor cards – little stories or observations that he typed onto 5×7 cards. Then he wrote in the margins when he used that particular item.
When we cleaned out his desk after he died 7 years ago, I was lucky enough to stumble on this stack. I pull it out regularly to have a little laugh with my dear dad. Now when I post one of them, I write my note next to his and it feels like a continuation.
I usually post something from this stack of humor cards on my personal blog on Sunday. This week I thought I’d share one of my favorites on Pointless Overthinking.
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.
One of life’s mysteries is how a two-pound box of candy can make us gain five pounds.
Stupidity got us into this mess – why can’t it get us out?
Even if you are in the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.
It’s frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the question.
An optimist thinks that this is the best possible world. A pessimist fears that this is true.
People will accept your ideas much more readily if you tell them that Benjamin Franklin said it first.
It’s easier to fight for one’s principles than to live up to them.
Time may be a great healer, but it’s also a lousy beautician.
Age doesn’t always bring wisdom, sometimes age comes alone.
You don’t stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stopped laughing.
Don’t believe everything you think!
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Leave a comment if you have a favorite or your own thought to ponder!
Please come visit my personal blog at https://wynneleon.wordpress.com .
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(featured photo from Pexels)
That’s very creative!!!!
Thank you! 🙂
Anything that can go wrong will go wrong – Murphy law. Anything that can go well will go well – Cristiana law.
Oh, I love this!! I want to write Cristiana law up on my wall! 🙂
Words making my lips get wide also signalling the brain to do the same… Just witty….
Oh, that’s brilliant. I love it – thank you, Pragash!
Not only are they funny; they are truisms! I loved so many of these, but my personal favorite is “Time may be a great healer, but it’s also a lousy beautician.”
Of course, these are all good, but this is another favorite–slightly less humorous and a bit more serious: “You don’t stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stopped laughing.”
Thanks for these. I needed these.
You’re right, Troy they are true. And I needed them today too. I love the ones you mention! And I also wonder why a 2 pound box of chocolate makes you gain 5 pounds. 🙂
Thanks for the giggles this mornig!
So glad you are giggling too! Thanks for commenting!
Love these! Thank you for sharing and what a lovely way to remember your dad
Thank you, Cathy! Yes, it’s such a fun way to remember my dad. I appreciate your comment!
:)..Is the converse true, do you think – “Think often about everything you believe”? Fun post – thank. you for the laughs!
Oh, wow – that is so interesting to turn that around!! Well, I think that could be a great thought to ponder too. Thanks for the great comment!
These are all great- thanks for posting!
Thanks, Todd! 🙂
I like “don’t believe everything you think.” Our brains aren’t nearly as reliable as we imagine.
Oh yes – that is so true, Em! And I like how apeacefultree turned it around in the comment above – should we “Think often about everything we believe?”
That’s a very good one too – my brain likes to send out untruths on the regular, perhaps to see if I’m paying attention 🤔
Great thoughts to ponder while chuckling!
My favorites:
Time may be a great healer, but it’s also a lousy beautician.
Age doesn’t always bring wisdom, sometimes age comes alone.
You don’t stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stopped laughing.
Thank you for sharing, Wynne
I love those ones too, Chaya. Especially sometimes age comes alone. Oh yes! Thanks for the comment – good to see you here! 🙂
Reminds me of my father’s witty, one liners!
Love that your dad had witty one-liners. Maybe it’s a dad humor staple! 🙂
My father often had wonderful stories. I learned many of Aesop’s Fables from listening to his sermons!Your father’s wonderful cards no doubt endeared him to his parishioners! Great post, Wynn! <3
It is so fun to hear how your dad did it too. And I’m sure it endeared him to parishioners the same way my dad’s card did! Love this camaraderie you and I share, Cheryl!
“People will accept your ideas much more readily if you tell them that Benjamin Franklin said it first.” Makes me think of how the internet has proliferated so many images of bogus quotes attributed to famous people/authors. I laughed at a lot of these, thanks for sharing!
“An optimist thinks that this is the best possible world. A pessimist fears that this is true.” – This is my favourite line!🕊️
Very wise words indeed 👏
Your dad sounds like a lovely man!! Those are some great quotes!