This week I was challenged to let go of myself. Last week I was anointed the opinionated comic, and this week I have a much bigger and harder task: to face the truth about myself.
The teacher believes like standup reveals the truth as the comic sees it. That entails coming to terms with our demons. I read a great quote the other day, which said we stop pining for a better past.
On stage in class, students asked me to laugh, make funny noises; be more of a character. I was taken aback by this at first. It felt like I was eight years old again, on the school playground, being teased and taunted and doing stupid actions for the amusement of some bullies.
One of the first a teacher said when the class started was that we should think back to what we did as children, when we were free, unafraid, and had a wondrous curiosity about the world.
I stood there on the stage, feeling make fun of, and the teacher and students had to remind me that they're laughing with me, not at me. Even the things I was harassed into doing by the bullies, ironically is what I should be doing on stage.It was traumatic then, but it is funny today.
And that's the lesson I and others need to realize. I need to let go of my past, my insecurities, and let my funny flow out.
