Reflections on 2024; Hopes for 2025 - episode 246
This is our annual “takeaways and looks ahead” episode.
The end of a year brings a time of reflection along with a look into the hope of a new year. I’m part of a mini-mastermind that is a fancy way to say we hold each other accountable, we encourage and support one another. This week my friends Mary Ann Mariani, Amy DeFehr and I talked about the things we liked about 2024 like road trips, writing a book and appreciating the flow that comes with getting better at something. Then there was learning new things like Canva to help with work and Lagree for exercise. Looking into 2025 with the words we’ve each chosen to guide us: amplify, alive and abide. It was an inspiring conversation amongst friends. Consider starting a small group yourself. It’s well worth your time.
Amy has been on the show before in Walking Off a Cliff and I Know Because I Know.
Mary Ann has been on the show before in A Passionate Artist of Story and I Was Mad at Myself. You can find her at Maryann@kindgompresenters.com.
RECHELLE:
Brave. Authentic. Wisdom..
Loyal. Adventurous. Organized.
MARY ANN:
Energetic. Reliable. Creative..
Intentional. Focused. Kind.
AMY:
Passionate. Effervescent. Momma-bear.
Dynamic. Devoted. Soul-filled.
Our words for each other - a powerful exercise
Rechelle, Mary Ann, Amy at Mary Ann’s book launch for Your Story for God’s Glory.
In My Eyes
Thoughts from Reflections on 2024; Hopes for 2025
I’ve written about words, the power of them, many times in these pages. I still believe it, deeply. Tonight I am thinking about a different use of words and that is in the realm of comedy. I have just watched, for the second time, Nate Bargatze’s latest stand-up comedy special on Netflix, Your Friend, Nate Bargatze. I have seen his two other specials on Netflix along with his special on Prime. I’ve also watched his two popular SNL sketches as George Washington this year and last. You can see them here: Washington’s Dream and here Washington’s Dream 2. Both worthy of your time. Both worthy of multiple views, as I have done.
So what do I like about him? Well for starters, he’s funny. He has a delivery that is dry, purposeful and one I can relate to. Bargatze is also clean which in this day and age is becoming more and more of a rarity. I don’t specifically know why he has chosen this route, I just know I am glad he has because it’s refreshing. I won’t tell you I only watch G-rated comedians because that is not the case but inevitably I cringe at either the language and/or the subject matter. Plenty of things are funny without having to be crass or crude. I know there is an audience for everything, I simply wish there were more options in the comedy lane that weren’t rife with the constant f-bombing and sex jokes. I still see language as a beautiful way to convey and sex as a sacred act of love. I’ve written about these thoughts before, so nothing really new here.
I don’t mind heading into PG or even PG-13 type humor if it’s well done and doesn’t cross the line into full-on vulgarity. The Blazing Saddles fart scene, SNL sketch: Shop TV Rylee Rainbow for example. (You may think I’ve gone too far with that last one. That’s as far as I can go. I laughed hard at that one.) I totally get that everybody gets to be who they are and gets to like different kinds of humor, yet I can’t help but wish we had more to choose from in the exceptional category. And of course I can’t help but think it sounds like I’m of a certain generation (and I am) of people who long for the days of their youth. For the record we had Cheech and Chong, SNL in its infancy, and Richard Pryor, so not all squeaky clean.
We also had Bill Cosby who was funny but look what happened there, not so funny. We had Norman Lear who created All in the Family, humor with a message. Same with the TV show Maude. We had Bob Newhart, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett, and Lucy in reruns, along with others who were able to find humor in everyday things, in outrageous situations, who intentionally didn’t head into “blue” territory. I think it takes more imagination, more chutzpah, even more work to find the funny without ‘going there.’ I will continue to respect those who make a point to rise above the fray and make me laugh. They are the real deal in my eyes (or is it my ears?).
Some humor works with words, some without.
Having fun is itself amusing.
