Just Fooling!

As most of us know April 1st is All Fools Day.

For me this is more than just a spiritual holiday it is also a time of reflection.

A question that I ask myself (when I'm talking to me) revolves around the place of the Fool in our Society.

With so many people acting the Fool free of charge, what is the place of the Fool in today's society?

Originally the Fool was in the employ of the King and was there not just to make the King laugh but also to poke fun at the King to relieve the tension of the "subjects." As Mary Walsh asks in the documentary "The Heart of Laughter"..."Who does the Fool serve?" Her take is that the King pays the Fool so in some ways this is who they serve. She is also uncomfortable with that, being the radical socialist she is.

I have a different view. If the King is paying me to make fun of him, then in some way the King is also the Fool. Why pay to be mocked or berated? Most of us have family that will do that for free.

I see the role of the Fool as being an unfiltered voice on the political and social events of life. A Fool is not bound by the conventions of normal life, meaning they don't have to think before they talk. This gives society a take on an situation or event that is not "spun" for any particular agenda. The only outcome a Fool expects is laughter or tension as one creates the other.

As one of the few people that has "Fool" on their business card I am asked by people what can they do to become more Foolish? In answer to that I give you the Top 5 Ways to Act the Fool.

# 5 Tell your spouse "Yes you do look fat in that"

# 4 Laugh hysterically when your boss disciplines you

# 3 Cut your lawn with a spatula

# 2 Quit your day job to become a comic And the

# 1 Way to Act the Fool... Run for public office...and win!

By Derek Wilken