Billy Coffey
Billy Coffey

An Answer to What’s Wrong with the World

March 19, 2010  

photo by photobucket.com

photo by photobucket.com

Live this life long enough and you’ll realize there are both good days and bad, and there often isn’t much you can do to influence things one way or the other. Some days the world seems at your feet, and others it seems the universe is aligned against you. Such is the pain and the pleasure of living. You never know what’s coming next. Depending upon your circumstances, that can either be something you run toward or cower from.

What’s wrong with the world? we ask.

For several years I took the good day/bad day thing in stride. This world was not unlike an amusement park ride, I thought. There were flat places and loops. Times when you climbed a steep grade with white-knuckle anticipation, and times when you flew down the other side arms raised and screaming with delight. You had to endure the bad in order to enjoy the good. It was all part of the ride.

While I still think that’s true to a certain degree, I’ve also learned I’m not completely powerless when it comes to changing the tone of a bad spell. And lately, I’ve had a bad spell. Lots of work, lots of grumbling. Gray skies both inside and out. But whereas I once would be content to grit my teeth and muddle through, I now take a more proactive stance.

Which I did this morning. It was one small act that required mere seconds to perform, but the benefits have been both big and lasting. I am walking through my day with head held high and a smile upon my face.

I wish I could say my secret to beating the daily blues was spiritually-oriented. It isn’t. It isn’t a little extra prayer or a little extra faith, though I’ve found they are a welcome byproduct. No, my secret is equal parts childlike and childish and very, very effective.

It’s Spongebob boxers.

I found them a few weeks ago in Target. Right size, right price. I had no intention of purchasing them, of course. What self-respecting redneck (not an oxymoron, by the way) would willingly choose to walk around wearing such a thing?

Not me. No way.

So I bought them. Partly because my children dared me to do so, but partly because staring at the silly-looking cartoon character sort of made me feel better. I figured what the heck.

When I wore them the next day I realized two things. One was that I very rarely thought about what sort of underwear I happened to be wearing. As long as something was there, I was fine. But the other was this—I thought about that particular underwear. A lot.

I thought about them while having a very deep conversation with a very smart professor. Thought about them when someone asked me to contribute something to his website. Thought about them when someone else came to me for some advice.

And I remember wondering what in the world those people would think if they knew I was wearing Spongebob underwear.

Silly? Yes. But then again, that was the point.

Because wearing them allowed me to do something I desperately needed, and that was to not take myself or my life too seriously.

I think we all forget that sometimes. The world has grown too serious and too blah. Bad news abounds, everything’s scary, and it’s easy to think our best is behind us. Not true.

If there is anything we all need now, just as much as more faith and more hope, it is more laughter. It is more joy. It is to see life’s challenges and shortcomings and realize they do not exist to hold us back, but to propel us forward. It is to have the courage to see that we can change things. We can make the world better. Not by changing governments or policies, but by changing ourselves.

What’s wrong with the world? Me. And you.

That’s where we should start. And I’ll suggest beginning with changing your underwear.

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Comments

  • http://www.keligwyn.com Keli Gwyn

    Thanks for giving me a good laugh! Nice way to end my day.

  • http://katshappyathome.blogspot.com Kathy

    I totally agree with you! Laughter is an important part of my day!! Oh, and I’m lovin the Spongebob drawers :)

  • http://www.steeletheday.com Candy

    And therein lies a difference between you and me, Billy. You’re having a very deep conversation with a very smart professor and pulling it off swimmingly in bright yellow underwear. I would only be thinking “PANTS ON THE GROUND!!” Fortunately your man card is safe because you took a dare from your kids.

    Awesome. Just awesome.

  • http://www.BridgetChumbley.com Bridget

    Thanks for clearing up the boxers or briefs controversy for us, Billy. I now will wonder if you’re wearing your ’square pants’ when I’m chatting with you on the Twitter.

    My mom always told me as long as the underwear are clean… it’s all good!

  • http://building-his-body.blogspot.com/ Anne Lang Bundy

    I can’t decide which comment to leave so I’ll leave all three.

    TMI! La la la (hands covering ears).

    I am going to be on Twitter in the morning watching quietly and laughing until my abs hurt when the tweets start flying.

    Do they have Tweety Pie in the ladies’ department?

  • http://faithfictionfriends.blogspot.com Glynn

    I was thinking of all the groups and individuals who should be required to wear SpongeBob boxers — Congress, Wall Street, most journalists, academics — the list could get really long. And then I thought of one more — me. Good post, sir.

  • http://bethinnc.blogspot.com/ Beth

    Well my friend. I just hope you don’t get in an accident while wearing those things. LOL You would be the topic of conversation for sure.

    I have missed your writings Billy. I just haven’t had time to visit everyone like before.

    I am excited about your book being published! I can’t wait to see it.

    Bless you!

  • http://www.JanetOber.com Janet oberholtzer

    Sometimes its the little things that bring joy to a day – excellent reminder!

  • http://www.lisajordanbooks.com Lisa Jordan

    When I saw the Spongebob pic, I figured you watched the cartoons with your kids or something. ROTFLOL about the boxers. Great twist.

    I work with young children. You never know what is going to come out of their mouths. But they play with such abandonment. We adults need to do that–laugh and play without worrying about looking like an idiot.

    Great post! Thanks for umm…sharing. :-)

  • http://www.sarahsalter.com Sarah Salter

    Wow, Billy. I can’t believe you went there.

    I do little things to keep from taking myself too seriously, too. For instance, I love fake tattoos. I would never get a real one (I’m allergic to pain & refuse to pay someone to stab me a few thousand times with a dirty needle) but there’s just something smile-inducing about having a banjo-playing frog painted on your ankle, ya know?

    My 12th grade English teacher always said that those who laugh at themselves will never cease to be amused… Can’t you hear me laughing? :o )

  • http://www.asgoodadayasany.wordpress.com Marilyn Yocum

    HAHAHAHAHA. You speak the truth here!

    I have a stash of crazy totally out-of-character-for-me socks I wear especially when I’ll be playing with children.

    “What do feel like doing today? I’m wearing my FUN SOCKS!”
    I wear ‘em as much for them as for me, as a reminder.
    Great post!

  • http://www.lynnrush.com Lynn Rush

    OMG, this is hysterical. Great post.

  • Katdish

    (Slowly shaking my head in disapproval)

  • http://www.moonboatcafe.com Cassandra Frear

    Hmmm. Reminds me of a post I wrote on writing in my jammies. I think I’ll re-post it today just for fun.

    You know, Edith Wharton wrote in her nightgown every day in bed until noon. The maid brought in breakfast and she wrote and wrote and then got out of bed for lunch.

    So I feel justified. And so should you. Greatness starts with a relaxed dress code.

  • http://meganwillome.highcallingblogs.com Megan Willome

    Your post reminds me of the old Calvin & Hobbes comic strip, when Calvin wears his lucky rocketship underpants, but it doesn’t help. Glad to hear that Sponge Bob worked out better for you than the rocketships did for good ol’ Calvin.

  • http://sandraking-beholding-god.blogspot.com/ Sandra Heska King

    How did you keep a straight face while talking to a very smart professor while thinking about your underwear? Or did you?

    Serious stuff here, though, too. What’s *really* under the clothes we dress up in?

    Oh wait–we’re not being serious today.

  • Jim H

    Thanks Billy! It’s not all about attitude, but it sure makes a difference – love your “money line”
    What’s wrong with the world? Me. And you.

    That’s where we should start. And I’ll suggest beginning with changing your underwear.

  • http://asgoodadayasany.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/some-of-us-need-a-little-help-breaking-out/ Some of Us Need a Little Help Breaking Out « As Good a Day as Any

    [...] Coffey wrote today about a change of apparel he’s chosen. “Desperately needed,” he says, a reminder to not take himself or his life too [...]

  • http://selphinflicted.blogspot.com Jeff

    Not only was that awesome, it was absolutely true. I have had a pair of spongebob boxers before, and they definitely stay on the mind the entire day.

  • http://www.ubervu.com/conversations/www.billycoffey.com/2010/03/an-answer-to-whats-wrong-with-the-world/ uberVU – social comments

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by billycoffey: New post! An Answer to What’s Wrong With the World ~ http://bit.ly/d6uPmd…

  • http://joyce-fromthissideofthepond.blogspot.com Joyce

    Some day I’m going to meet you at a book signing and I’m going to remember this post : )

  • http://www.hallelujahs.blogspot.com larry

    Haha! That’s why I wear my nerdy 3d glasses with the lenses popped out when life gets too crazy. That’s awesome Billy, it also reminds me of the spongebob no pants burgerking commercial.

  • http://melissabrotherton.com Melissa Brotherton

    You brought me a much needed laugh. Maybe I need to go buy some new underwear. :)

  • http://www.koverb.blogspot.com Kathleen

    Post Secret worthy.

  • http://www.deanaohara.com Deana

    This is hilarious. My husband learned that same trick when he was about 30. (He’s 46 now) He’d be in board meetings that would inevitable get tense, and he would feel his blood pressure rising. Then all he had to do was remember he was wearing Mickey Mouse boxers, and that would break the personal tension. Me — I go with brightly colored socks like someone else here mentioned. Great post.

  • http://togetherforgood.wordpress.com Erin

    Sometimes giving yourself permission to act like a kid is just an awesome gift to yourself and others. :)

  • http://cheriehillblog.blogspot.com Cherie

    So insightful…so hilarious…such a needed message…the changing your underwear part. ; ) haha.
    In Him,
    Cherie

  • http://blog.breakthroughalaska.com jasonS

    If I change my underwear right now, my coworkers may not be happy. :) Excellent points, Billy. Thanks.

  • http://theprayground.com April

    Haha! I’ve read so much about the inspirational Billy Coffey but hadn’t found my way here until today. And you’re talking about Spongebob underwear?! I LOVE this place!

  • http://godsheart-heart2heart.blogspot.com Kat

    I love this idea! Only you know what is really up when all the world sees is your amazing smile! It’s what lies beneath that really counts!

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

  • http://lauraboggess.blogspot.com laura

    An approach I simply have never considered! Heehee. But I like it. And I love Spongebob. He’s to my children what Bugs Bunny was to me. Everything I learned about opera and such, I learned from Bugs. Now my boys learn about classic rock from Spongebob. He’s not your ordinary sea creature, you know.

    Fun read, Billy. :)

  • http://www.terri-treasures.blogspot.com terri tiffany

    Fun!! I needed to read this post as I think I’m taking on way too much seriousness with my daily living!

  • http://theoppositepc.blogspot.com Frank

    Ha! I have Homer Simpson boxers for the same reason. Don’t tell anybody!

  • http://www.ordinarilyextraordinary.com/ Amy N.

    I do something similar. I have Little Mismatched socks. They coordinate, but don’t match and they are so fun. It’s always makes me smile when I wear my mismatched socks and if other people happen to see them they get a good smile out of it also.

  • http://www.endeanmom1.blogspot.com Beth E.

    BWAH-HAHAHAHAhahaha! Oh, Billy…*wheeeeeeze*…thanks so much for that visual. I truly needed that laugh!

  • http://www.maryaalgaard.blogspot.com mary aalgaard

    My cat ears headband is in my bathroom. I put it on every morning when I wash my face. Sometimes, I forget to take it off, and my kids look at me a little funny and remind me that it’s NOT Halloween.

  • http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com Lynn Mosher

    LOLOL! Billy-boy, You are too much! How fun was this?! I’ll bet you felt like giggling (if guys giggle) all day. So now you started something. From now on, I’m going to have to ask you if it’s Spongebob day!

  • Caroline

    Lovely post. Love the conclusion, I don’t know about the underwear but the part about us changing so the world can change, absolutely!

  • http://www.thisrestlessheart.com/ Kelly Langner Sauer

    I laughed out loud, I was so surprised when you mentioned the boxers. I did NOT see that coming!

    I married a man who doesn’t take himself so seriously – he is sooo good for me. Thanks for the reminder, though. It was needed today.

    Oh, and thanks for your awesome comment on my “love stories” post. Really appreciated knowing you’d been there.

  • http://www.brockhenning.com Brock S. Henning

    ha ha….this post rocks.

  • http://warrenbaldwin.blogspot.com/ Warren Baldwin

    A classic, with your signature surprise twist and great application at the end.

  • http://www.charleneannbaumbich.com Charlene Ann Baumbich

    White Castle Hamburgers sells boxer shorts too. Hey, a man can’t wear the same pair every day!

  • http://weightwhat.blogspot.com Wendy

    What? No photo evidence?