I often talk about how I’m learning to be more me by being less me. I’m trying to do things I wouldn’t normally do, stepping past the restricting idea I have of myself. See my post — I’m the kind of person who ___ — about how we need to try new things.

One thing I’ve noticed is that I take myself far too seriously when it comes to my mistakes. I’m hard on myself. I expect myself to be perfect. I’m the kind of person who ____demands perfection of myself.

This often leaves me disappointed in myself – and my ordinary humanness. I now know that if I want to start a new chapter in my life, I have to start a new chapter. Which leads me to my story. I was sitting down to dinner with several guests the other night. I’d made spaghetti with pesto sauce, salad with fresh oregano, feta cheese and sweet cherry tomatoes, and garlic bread. I looked around the table, feeling so happy, grateful and so (I admit it) pleased with myself. I felt just like Little Jack Horner, who said, “What a good boy am I!” I thought, Oh, what a good cook am I.

And just then…

“Mom! I found a hair in my spaghetti!” said my oldest son.

At first I turned bright red. My jaw dropped. I stammered, looking around at my guests who were looking at me, wondering how I’d respond.

“Oh, I’m so glad,” I said, recovering myself. “I was looking for that hair!”

Yep, we have to laugh at ourselves. When was the last time you laughed at you?

To be more you, try being less you.