Do you remember the scene in Mary Poppins where they sang the song “I love to laugh?” It was Ed Wynn, a Disney film stalwart and old vaudevillian who played Uncle Albert. When Uncle Albert laughed he rose into the air.

Laughter does make us lighter, and being lighter changes our thinking. There is a real value to “going goofy” if you want to shift perspective, if you wish for heightened creativity. Goofiness is an applied creativity tool, and make no mistake, it’s serious business.

The subject of my drawing looked vaguely liked Ed Wynn. Like Wynn, he had a wry smile, almost smug, on his face as we rode the train into London. His secret wish is a projection of what I think his goofiest desire might be. My Uncle Albert thinks it’s funny to flaunt convention, and, deep down, thinks the whole idea of clothes is a pain in the arse. He’s not a big fan of organized religion either. He will never act out this secret wish, but the mere thought of it is enough to lighten his mind and have him smiling to himself.

The nature of goofiness is something I could write a book about. Some people are goofy naturally, it’s a gift, if a mixed one. The natural goofs are often not taken seriously, but that’s a mistake. Goofy thoughts, if focused, can be laser-like in helping to reach insights. Some folks are far from goofy, and what I wish for them is a taste of the natural high. Like most human behaviours it’s something that can be actively chosen, and there are good reasons to do so.

Do you ever go goofy? It doesn’t always have to be as wacky as taking your clothes off in church. Going goofy might mean wearing two different colored socks — on purpose. Or, just because nobody does, wearing a pair of pink or lime green socks. It might be a spontaneous rendition of The Boys in the Band (the song, but a scene from the movie would also work) at the supermarket. Or you might sing Summer of 69 while driving alone in a car. It might be done in front of others, it might be when you are all alone. Whatever it is, and wherever it’s done, it should make you laugh inside. If it makes others laugh, so much the better. If you’re concerned about letting go at work, or in front of friends, take a look at that — what does it say about your job or your friends if you can’t be a bit silly? But hey, no anxiety about this right? If you have to be goofy alone, please, goof on Garth.

I’m rather good at this, so, if you need advice, please, the lines are open. And I would love to hear some of your goofy stories…