when I'm the first to ridicule my flaws, the people around me laugh a lot, and I along with them.

The ability to feel comfortable laughing at oneself, and to have others do so, is a strength my friend and it takes a man of character to be able to do so. Well done. (Man or woman of course...Don't want to appear sexist now do I?) Lol.

Thanks for the addendum, a valuable trait you have here, may you never lose it.