Photo: L. Weikel

A Donkey On the Edge

One phrase from the movie Shrek, uttered by the inimitable Eddie Murphy as Donkey himself, resonated so profoundly with me when I heard it that it became a permanent part of my personal lexicon of go-to phrases. Yes. It’s true. Referring to myself as a ‘donkey on the edge’ whenever I’m stressed out to the max could not be a more spot-on description.

I have to say, I think the animated movies that came out when my youngest sons were little were the very best of the best. We’re talking through the middle and late 90’s: Toy Story, The Lion King, Shrek, just to name a few. Another one that belongs in that lineup, albeit a completely different cup of tea than the first three mentioned, would be The Snowman.

It’s possible that these favorites hold their special place in my heart precisely because we enjoyed watching them together. Nevertheless, they’re also classics in themselves, conveying themes that resonate with our shared humanity and the values we want our kids and each other to hold.

Laughter – the Ultimate Tension Breaker

That said, and as much as I am inevitably reduced to tears watching Toy Story and The Lion King (or just hearing the musical theme of The Snowman), when I watch Shrek, I laugh. And the character that makes me laugh the most is, of course, Donkey.

Donkeys (in real life) and I go way back. Probably the most notorious instances of my relationship with donkeys harkens back to some shamanic training I did in Ireland 12 or 13 years ago. The estate where we gathered for the weeklong sacred work had some resident donkeys among a cadre of other wild and not-so-wild life, including two dogs that were as big as ponies.

But the donkeys captivated me. (There’s more to the story but not for tonight.)

As I sit here this evening thinking about these movies, I’m basically talking myself into watching at least Shrek tomorrow. I need a laugh.

I’ve been a ‘donkey on the edge’ lately, as have some other people in my psychic space.

Laughter is definitely what we all could use – in abundance.

(T-265)