I know what you’re saying and thanks for that anita. what an encourager!
It is easier to be courageous online though. Not quite the same as face to face, when you have to say something immediately in response.

That’s what I forgot to say.
We don’t know what we’re truly made of or who we are, until we are tested.
We can learn a lot about ourselves, when out of our comfort zone. Trouble is, instead of treating it as a learning experience, we tend to go into survival mode, shaking like a nervous nanny-goat.
Examples:
public speaking
workplace task such as dealing with a customer
standing up to harassment and the harasser

I try to escape the monstrous moment, the maddening minute
“get me out of here, I’m not up to this!”
Appease the intimidator
No time to be a gladiator
It’s my turn to say something
But I’ve forgotten my lines
I lose my perspective
and just want out
Flight over fight
every time.

Thanks avocado anita, you are a female version of Rocky. (or is that sexist?)Which reminds me that I have to see the new Rocky movie. Stallone is supposed to be at his best. Rocky 1 was such a motivator. When it came out, I remember going for a run the next day, scurrying up a long flight of stairs and flexing my muscles victoriously on the top. Not quite the same these days as I huff and puff up the stairs just walking. I realise now, that running was an excellent outlet for stress and rebuilding confidence.
A friend of mine, after watching “Chariots of Fire”, went for a 10 km run, straight after. And he became a born again Christian, refusing to play Rugby on Sunday, the Sabbath. Now that’s what I call a life-changing movie. I loved that movie too.

too far out you mean?

but don’t delude yourself into thinking you are some saint just because you “respect” people by not making jokes about their insanity

Just call me Saint Jack from now on. 🙂
If I remember correctly, some Muslims didn’t like the Charlie Hebdo French journalists satire of their God. Sometimes it is wise not to deliberately upset people.

The original joke about the carpal tunnel is more about my hypochondria than Christianity. But I guess people who have really suffered a tortured life, don’t find hypochondria jokes funny.