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Page 2 Read www.DesertMessenger.com fi rst defi nition is "a sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter gibe or taunt." www.MyQuartzsite.com CORRECTION: ONLINE @ In the March 7th issue an article with Mary Reno Sperring winning Best of Show was the BOUSE Desert Brush Art Club, not the Brenda, as written. We apologize for the mistake, and any inconvenience this may have called. DEADLINE is WED. March 28 for April 4th issue of the Desert Messenger Email: desertmessenger7@yahoo.com Phone: 541-218-2560 www.DesertMessenger.com Recycle... it all adds up! Desert MESSENGER Editorial by Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear "You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it." ~ Bill Cosby What a wild week it has been! The election on Tuesday left folks with the sense that a recalled, twice censored former mayor had won. Two days later, things are different. Isn't that how it is with life in general? When I lived in Oregon we used to say, just wait 5 minutes...the weather will change. So it can be in life. One minute I'm listening to an In- ternet talk show, ready to jump out of my seat with the personal attacks directed point blank towards me. Then I just remember, hey, it's all free speech, right? Anyone can say any- thing about anyone, right? However, there comes a time when enough is enough. This mild man- nered gal is not ready to accept that adults are advocating to their children it's okay to laugh at people you don't like; stick your tongue out at them and laugh at them. Doesn't that re- mind you of the 8th grade bullying? Recycle your empty inket cartridges and used cell phones! NO TONERS, PLEASE DROP OFF LOCATIONS: • Horizon Community Bank • Quartzsite Library • Senior Center • General Store • Business Chamber Sponsored by Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite When folks use humor to harm oth- ers, it's not called humor. It's called sarcasm. The word "sarcasm" derives from ancient Greek for "to tear fl esh, gnash the teeth, speak bitterly." Its Experienced HANDYMAN Residential and RV Plumbing & Electrical Service & Repair. Minor Carpentry & Yard Work. All Work Guaranteed - FREE Estimates! • Qtz. Business Licensed Call Bud 928-583-3905 When sarcasm is an accepted norm in the organiza- tion, practicing sarcasm be- comes a "right of passage"in the organization. In other words, sar- casm is expected and is a way people are to communicate. This is another way of saying, "I want to be accepted" and I will participate in sarcasm. When the person is sarcastic, this may prevent the person from being able to address the individual directly. The person being talked about is unable to do anything about the comments. This becomes frustrating to the per- son being focused upon since there is "no way to fi ght back." Sarcasm is a form of "sick politics." You might say, "Well, sarcasm may be safer than "throwing rocks." This is a sarcastic statement in itself. I think we need to fi nd more productive ways to communicate. Sarcasm can be a way to" tear someone down to make themselves feel better." Tearing someone else down feeds self-defeat- ing behaviors in the person who does the sarcasm. This is not a winning approach in my book. In the fi rst-ever study of its kind, Ursula Beermann of the University of California, Berkeley, and Willibald Ruch of the University of Zurich studied 70 psychology students to gauge their ability to laugh at them- selves. The fi ndings support what has DESERT March 21, 2012 long been believed: that being able to laugh at oneself is not only a distinct trait, but is also linked with having an upbeat personality and good mood and may be the foundation for a good sense of humor. As our emotions get out of hand run- ning rampant with Quartzsite politics, we often feel disconnected to each other. Maybe it would be good to have a good old fashioned laugh, you know, that infectious laugh when you hear a child giggle. That's the kind of laugh- ter that can be healing. We need to be examples of healthy laughter for our children and grandchildren. Where there is laughter, there is always more health than sickness. Maybe we need to watch more Bill Cosby reruns. His humor was, well, just plain funny. As the heat begins to rise in Quartzsite (on many levels), let's all try and keep our sense of humor and not take things too personally. I know, I've been called that smily one, the one who facilitates joy, as if it's a bad thing. I say, let's enjoy the beauty around us, be grateful for every day we have to live, share our gratitude with oth- ers and create more joy in the world. The politicians will politick, the lies will be said, they'll still continue to attack me, and I'll be just fi ne. In fact, I'm writing for a book about how wonderful life is in Quartzsite. Do you have any humorous events to share? Send me an email at desertmessenger7@yahoo.com and we'll add to the joy in the world. Quartzsite's FREE Community Paper Founded by Walt Akin, October 1, 2004 Contributing Writer, Joanne Winer PUBLISHED BY PILOT ROCK PUBLISHING CO. P.O. Box 3185, Quartzsite, AZ 85359 www.DesertMessenger.com • www.QuartzsiteBlog.com E-mail: desertmessenger7@yahoo.com Published twice a month on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday, Sept. thru May with Special Summer Editions in June, July & August Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Desert Messenger. Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear, Publisher 541-218-2560 Copyright © 2012 MESSENGER Name Plate Lettering by Paul Winer Contributing Photographer, Starr BearCat