Humility and Humor At The Office

At Bridges of Indiana, we have all had days at the office when the busy nature of our work reminds us of the need to keep humor and humility on the front burner of our mental ovens. We are constantly learning and growing. As learning is sometimes a process requiring the learner to modify or abandon existing knowledge, I believe a thoughtful approach includes proceeding carefully and humbly. I have found that employing humor to raise the curtain exposing our human tendency away from humility can be attitudinally healthy. The following true story illustrates: 

Dr. Emmet Fox was sought by a parishioner new to the church who wanted to meet Dr. Fox behind closed doors to become acquainted. At the appointment time, the man introduced himself in the entryway of Dr. Fox’s study and began telling of his many political and business associations about town. When the man took a breath, Dr. Fox said, “Well, have a chair then.” But the man apparently didn’t feel that Dr. Fox was as impressed with him as he should be, so he continued! The man explained that he was also on the board of this prestigious organization and was the recipient of countless awards from a long list of named admirers, to which Dr. Fox responded, “Well, have two chairs then.”

Helpful involvement in the lives of others requires effort and time. I believe I should be as available as possible to nurture that process. Giving time, then, is paramount. The importance of attentiveness during this time is perhaps best illustrated by the phrase medical doctors have used to advise medical students: “Don’t just do something, stand there.” I have found that working with people is not a casual affair – that involvement in others’ development is inexorably intimate and consuming. I have been best served by attempting, however falteringly, to summon enthusiasm, humor, compassion and eclecticism to guide me during each interaction with others.  

I also benefit from humor. I believe that many of the most comical situations just occur – that they cannot really be invented. One of my favorite pieces of humor comes from my friend, Mark. During his undergraduate work in communications, he worked at USI's A.M. radio station. As the station house was a small building in the woods, he'd sit alone on the late shift playing music. Cognizant that it was a small school with a small station (and that it was an A.M. signal), he often felt that he wasn't getting out very far on the airwaves. The school's call letters are WSWI ("WissWee"). He told me of a time when he was tempted to say on air, "W-S-W-I, WissWee - WissWee had some Wisteners!"

Many of the family members I talk with will always take time to share a good story or two. Thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts and memories with us!

Best Regards,

Charlie Brooks, Regional Director