My birthday is March 31st--the day before April Fool's Day. In fact, when someone asks me when my birthday is, I usually say "the day before April Fool's"--since it's a little easier to remember than "March 31st." (And actually I wish my birthday was on that day, since I have always felt that would fit my personality better!)
One of the things I like about a day like this is that it gives you permission to mix things up a bit, stir the pot, and act a little silly. (Not that I actually need a day like this to do that, of course, but still it's nice to have a cultural sanction for acting the way I like to act anyway.)
The word "silly," by the way, comes from the Old English "selig," meaning fortunate, or holy. It was originally used as a blessing. Be selig: be healthy, be lucky, be blessed. And I think it is still healthy to be silly at times, to play around, to be "foolish." (There's a reason why kings often had jesters, or "royal fools," as part of their court. It helped the king put other, more serious issues into perspective.)
So here's a joke for you: Two kids were talking, and one of them said, "What are you going to do, to celebrate April Fool's Day?" And the other one said, "I don't know. We're Unitarian Universalists, and I'm not sure we even believe in Aril Fool's Day."
Believe, everyone! Believe! Have some fun, tell a joke, kid around, play the fool, and maybe take a "silly walk" down the street today. I know I will!
peace and undressed,
tony
