Below you’ll find a very funny video from an Australian comedy band called Axis of Awesome. In it you’ll find a funny song and a potential (I think that’s what I hear) expletive: Please forgive me for that. If I could figure out a way to edit it out I would.
I’ve watched the video several times, enjoying it each one, and have noticed a couple of lessons we could all learn from their comedic sensibilities.
- Make sure you can laugh at yourself before you laugh at others. We’ve all known the person that loves to make jokes at the expense of other’s but can’t stand it when they’re the target. No one really likes that person. Most people don’t like even being around that person. One of the best abilities you can develop is the ability to laugh at yourself. Once you’ve mastered that then, and only then, is it OK to start poking fun at others (unless they’ve REALLY done something silly then it’s OK).
- Enjoy the simple things around you and let them bring a smile to your face. I’m always amazed by comedians that can take the mundane things in life and make them really funny by telling great stories or bring them to light from a different perspective. (Jerry Seinfeld anyone? Or another of my favorites, Henry Cho). I wish I was better at slowing down and enjoying the sublime world around me but we’re all always in a hurry. I think we should all commit to doing less and going a bit slower. Life will be much more fun then.
- Be careful who you borrow ideas from. Who knew so many popular songs (from so many generations) are based on four chords? It’s almost shameful how cookie-cutter music has become but I’ll leave that topic for another day. Rather, I think we all need to be better at screening who we borrow from. Plagiarism may be the highest form of flattery, but you should at least plagiarize from those who are trying to be unique, shouldn’t we?
So, there it is. I’ve always believed that we can learn from anything or any situation: Even an Australian comedy video posted to YouTube. (Note: If you feel like I need to beg forgiveness for my failed attempts at humor, please keep your opinions to yourself.)
