Photos: Kenny Joseph

This photo reminds me of some advice I received when I entered the convent many moons ago.

A wise nun told me that if I wanted to survive religious life I should have three bones – a breast bone to be able to take initiative and move forward, a back bone to take the hard bounces and a FUNNY bone to be able to laugh at myself.

Looking back, I would say that this advice is probably good for everyone. Here this one: A husband and wife had a quarrel and were giving each other the silent treatment. However, the man wanted his wife to wake him at 5.00 a.m. for a flight. Not wanting to be the first to speak and lose the battle, he wrote a note to her: “Please wake me at 5.00 a.m.”

The next morning he awoke at 9.00 a.m. and missed his flight. Before he could investigate what had happened, he saw a note on his pillow: “It is 5.00 a.m. Wake up!”

Humour can take the sting out of even terrible situations. We know the story of St Lawrence who was being burnt on the grill. He turned to his executioners and said, “You can turn me over now. This side is well done.”

I only ever found one painting of a laughing Jesus, but unfortunately I have lost it.