That Tapping
Hey, Jazz Pickles and other anthropomorphized garnishes. Welcome to now, here.
Olive Oyl and I are traveling in the US for a couple of weeks, visiting relatives we’ve not seen since before the thing we’ve all heard too much about already so I’m not going to type its name here again. (No, not that orange thing we all heard too much about for the past five years, the thing we’ve heard too much about in the past 16 months that the orange thing tried to wish away.)
Today’s cartoon (above) is about fear. Does fear frighten you? Fear is a fascinating thing in that it exists solely in the mind. You can only be afraid of something you perceive to be dangerous, and only after you have perceived it. If something rendered you temporarily unconcious—a blow to the head, too much NyQuil, an anesthesiologist— and you were placed in a bathtub full of live snakes, you’d not be afraid at all. Meanwhile, if you are acutely afraid of snakes, you’re likely experiencing the effects of fear right now after having only read that sentence. Fear exists only in the mind.
So what do we do with this information? I’m not sure. I just started typing some thoughts about that cartoon above and had no idea where it was going to end up.
Now that we’re here, though, let’s say that if the mind creates fear, it can be controlled by the mind as well. Some fear is good: don’t get so close to the Grand Canyon that you become a permanent part of it. And some fear is bad: if I ever leave my apartment again without a mask and hazmat suit, I could die. The first fear could save your life and the other could ruin it. Here’s where you’re going to need that control I mentioned a few sentences ago; you’ll be happier if you can wisely choose the fears you pay attention to.
Complete this sentence honestly: My biggest fear is… (You can do this inside your head. No need to frighten those around you by blurting out random statements out of context.)
My biggest Big Picture fears have to do with climate change and authoritarianism, but my biggest personal fear is letting fear run my life. In Albert Brooks’ classic comedy Defending Your Life, after we die, our lives are reviewed and judged solely on the balance of courage and fear. If you made more decisions based on fear of repercussions rather than optimism and courage, you go back to live another life and try to improve. I’ve always found that model to be inspiring.
I first saw that film way back in the late 1900s when I was a young adult, and it changed my attitude and approach to life. It’s also very funny. Thanks, Albert!
Now let’s review a few glimpses of Wayno’s approach to life with his Bizarro cartoons from the week…
Little bunny, mouth wide open,
Random eyeball—must be dopin’.
Mama Goose, simply phonin’,
Half-assed rhymes, is she stonin’?
If that orange jumpsuit is giving you joy, we’ll take it away. #ReverseKondo
Three guesses which pan the mini sausages are in.
I want to get the name of Goofy’s milliner.
My cats seem to have a lot of questions every day.
Don’t miss Wayno’s weekly blog post in which this week he discusses his sketchbook ritual of over 30 years. And, as always, he has some musical suggestions for the more melody-adventurous among us!
That’s the end of our cartoon buffet, Jazz Pickles. Thanks for sticking around until we blew out the Sterno candles. If you’re seriously digging our vibe, man, and you appreciate our lack of ads and paywalls, toss us a buck or two and improve your karma. We promise to use your support with courage.
Until next time, remember that the only thing we have to fear is the wrath of FDR.
BIZARRO SHOP We have new stuff in the shop that’s fun and cheap!
…Signed, numbered, limited edition prints and original Bizarro panels