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'All this beauty makes a person realize how insignificant they are,' Paul says. 'How insignificant I am. You're the insignificant one' He grins real big as he realizes how his words sounded. 'I didn't mean it like that,' he chuckles. 'No, I know what you meant, bud. I was just thinking kind of the same thing. I was looking at all this depth and it came to me how very shallow you are.' 'Ha, ha,' Paul chortles. He takes a few steps down the trail and turns. 'You know, Don, I was just looking at this little flowery cactus here and thinking how nice it looks and it made me realize how ugly you are.' 'Is that right,' I say. 'Well, I was just considering how smart these rocks look and it made me realize how dumb you are.' With that I give him a little kick in the backside. 'How smart these rocks are?' he heckles. 'Well, I was just looking at that cloud up there, reflecting on its beauty and stuff, and it hit me how much you smell.' 'Is that right,' I say. 'The cloud made you realize that, huh?' Paul distances himself a little and keeps turning to see if I am going to kick him again. He's got this grin going like he got the last laugh. 'You know, Paul, I was just looking at this bebble and it made me realize that I'm going to tackle you and throw you off the ledge.' 'I see. That's real deep, Don. The pebble. you got that from a pebble?'

Don Miller#18

FriendshipHumorNaturePlay

About this quote

What does it mean?
Friends jokingly insult each other using nature metaphors, turning self-deprecation into playful banter.
In plain terms
Friends joke about how nature reflects their flaws.
What can you take from it?
Playful insults can strengthen bonds through shared humor.

Where it applies

  • casual conversation
  • hiking trip
  • close friendship

Putting it to work

  • use humor to connect
  • share self-deprecating jokes

Questions to consider

  • How do you joke with friends?
  • What role does humor play in bonding?

Another view

Insults might hurt if boundaries aren't clear.

More from Don Miller

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  3. If worship is sustenance, then modern worship is fast food.

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