It’s chaos. Be kind.

— Patton Oswalt

The phrase comes from Oswalt’s new comedy act and is born from the unexpected, devastating loss of his wife and his anguish in having to tell his child that she was gone.

There’s a wonderful review of his new act here. It will be broadcast in the fall.

Here’s part of that review, one that underscores the meaning of his quotation:

In one remarkably poignant moment, as Oswalt recounted arguing with his wife about whether there’s a rational framework and logic underpinning the universe (he said yes, she said no), he noted that “she won the argument in the (worst) way possible,” a punchline that snuck up on me. Only a few seconds later did I realize that I was both laughing and crying simultaneously.

That’s more than masterful comic work. It’s a next level of intertwining comedy and tragedy where both are allowed to retain their full powers while neither takes precedence over the other. –

-Zach Freeman’s review of Patton Oswalt’s new comedy set

♦♦♦♦♦

Whether or not you think it is chaos out there, Oswalt is right.

Be kind.

You’ll make someone else’s world less chaotic, gentler, more rewarding.

Your own world will brighten, too.