Never go to sea without a porpoise
― Robert Merle, The Day of the Dolphin
Since the start of the pandemic, I have been logging on to Facebook much more than in the past, as well as posting on my “wall.” This is partly because I, like so many who now work from home, have felt isolated and cut off from friends and colleagues and need the companionship, even if it is online. And partly because I’m a writer and it’s a good way to get out material and gain feedback. And partly, or at least I’d like to think, to help make a positive difference in the lives of my friends who might be feeling lonely or low because of these extraordinarily difficult times.
While that may sound self-aggrandizing, it’s actually my intention, or has been my intention. And I should make it clear that trying to help friends feel better, helps me to feel better. As Booker T. Washington said, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”
But also, I believe, taking such an approach to my FB life is also a way for me to have a purpose, to serve almost as an anchor for my psyche, during a period when days are less structured and pajamas are suitable work clothes. Quoting Horace man, “Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves.”
And while there are so many, so, so many – first responders and front line health workers, all and everyone who has made it possible for us to eat and drink and keep safe during this pandemic – who have done infinitely more than I have over the past year and more, this was (and continues to be) a contribution I can make.
So what exactly have I done?
Well, at the start of the pandemic, the lockdown, in those first two months, when things were very grim, I started a series called “Alphabet Soup for the Soul.” Each day, I would pick a letter. And because “spreading the virus” was constantly in the news and on people’s minds, I encouraged the spreading of something less scary, something empowering and inspiring and beneficial, starting with that letter. Here’s an example of a post I did for “N”:
Namaste! One way to reach Nirvana is to cultivate a Non-negative approach to life. And being Nice and Non-belligerent helps as well.
So many good ‘N’ words to choose from for today’s inspirational letter. But the one I think deserves eNormous Notice is Nurse. Where would we be, now and always, without these Needed Nightingales!
So in their honor, let’s spread:
Nourishment
Nonresistance
Nimbleness
Normalcy
Once I finished the alphabet (X was the hardest), I noodled around with silly philosophical musings (“A brick wall isn’t there until you hit it”; “If the early bird catches the worm, shouldn’t the worm sleep in?). And also many a corny joke (What did the ceiling say to the four walls? Hold me up, I’m plastered.)
I also did a self-imposed 10-day challenge as a sort of poking-fun at other such challenges (usually favorite athletes) being bandied about on FB. Here’s one example:
Day 5. I was issued a challenge by my ruling subconscious (who shouts at me, by the way) to list 10 root vegetables I enjoy eating the most. One root vegetable per day for 10 days. No explanations, no reviews, no rooting, just pictures. (the picture, by the way, was a turnip).
But what I’ve done the most, and the longest, is post word/pun games. I borrowed the concept from Twitter hashtag games (once upon a time, Twitter was fun). An example of one post last November goes like this:
Just experienced the joy of hot honey on pizza. in honor of my ecstasy, here’s a new word/pun game.
Bread Movies
I’ll Start:
Rye Hard
I must admit, the responses have surprised me – not that I didn’t know my friends are witty and clever, but by how many respond. Each word/pun game I do, there are on average 60 to 70 responses, and sometimes well into the hundreds. It’s wonderful and makes me laugh and fills the night with lightness. And those that play have sent me personal notes saying how much they enjoy them, how it has given them a much-needed respite as well from the tough days of the past year.
But I am writing all this to also say that my friends on FB, like this great country, are diverse, sharing many different political ideas, cultures, and backgrounds. But all this is non-existent when it comes to the word/pun games – there is no bickering, no fighting, just a collective effort to be supportive and complementary to each other and, mostly, to make each other laugh..or at least giggle. It’s an oasis from the too-often venom and vitriol that permeates social media.
The point is – we can come together in peace and love just as easily as we can fight and divide. It’s really all about choice, and if I can keep giving my friends a choice for the former, and as long as I can keep coming up with new pun ideas (my mother is starting to help me), I will do so.
In fact, how about this one:
Make a Movie Kinder
I’ll Start
Greet the Parents
Now it’s your turn. Have fun. Play nice. Love to all!
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