MIC OR NO MIC

That is the Question

“When did you know you wanted a mic in your hand?”

I just got back from Atlanta, Georgia where the Christian Comedy Association (a 25-year-old organization) and the LOL (Living On Laughter, a ten-year-old group) came together at Tabernacle of Praise Church for their first joint comedy conference.

A few of us flew in a day early so we could attend the Tabernacle of Praise church service on Sunday morning. It was their 20^th anniversary, and they did it up royal. The choir of around 70 danced down the aisle and onto the risers while we all joined in with singing and clapping. It was a wonderful service and Jesus was praised. I’m sure He could hear from heaven.

After lunch at Fried Green Tomatoes, we rested up for the evening activities: registration, a dinner, and a Showcase with some seasoned comedians who know their stuff.

We’d had a busy day. You might think a bunch of comics would sit around and tell jokes or try to one-up each other. Instead, the question was asked, “When did you know you wanted a mic in your hand.” There were about fifteen of us sitting around in a circle and each person would get a turn to speak.

I’m the oldest, so I went first. Here’s what I said, “When I was in the eighth grade, I had to make my first campaign speech. I was running for Student Body Secretary, I think. All the upper grades were gathered on the basketball court. Someone handed me a mic and I started speaking. It felt like the words were being sucked out of my mouth, amplified, and rained out over the entire student body. I thought that was the coolest thing. What power.”

I heard a joke one time that hit home: There is only one thing I like better than the sound of my own voice, and that’s the sound of my own voice, amplified!!

My story was short, and for once, I didn’t over-share. The other stories were much longer. Some talked about overcoming shyness. Others admitted to being the class clown. A few unpacked their whole life story, including those who overcame tough times with comedy.

As a young adult, I wasn’t a great speaker, but I took every opportunity to speak on stage or in front of class. I wanted to take Drama or Debate, but my mother insisted I take what I needed to enter college AND all the secretarial classes. She said, I’d always be able to make a living typing. She did. Maybe she didn’t think I’d make it through college. Ha! I fooled her. I fooled everyone. My high school advisor said I wouldn’t make it because of my difficulty with readying. I can tell you that shorthand and office machines were almost outdated by the time I got out of college.

I chose the perfect profession. As a teacher, I had a captive audience every day. I could make them laugh just by spelling a word wrong. I could be a kid with them. It’s amazing how God prepares us for our purpose in His plan. He gives us every opportunity to equip ourselves along the way. I joined Toastmasters, graduated from the National Speakers Association Academy, and completed the Christian Women’s Club speaker’s training multiple times.

The third most common fear is the fear of snakes. The second most common fear is speaking in front of a large group of people. And the first greatest fear is speaking in front of a large group of snakes.

I’ve never been afraid of snakes or people, so there you go.

Yesterday Barry officiated a funeral. When he opened it up for people to come up and share about the dearly departed, a little kid went to the mic. He cried a little about losing his grandma, but he was able to talk about the arrowhead collection she gave to him and how much it meant to him. I was so proud of him. The mere fact that he took the mic without hesitation tells me, that kid will be successful.

I boil when I hear a parent introduce their child by saying, “This is _______, but she’s shy.” How stupid to assign that label to a child. I’m sure I’ve offended parents who have done that by telling them how harmful that is. Most of those parents also answer for the child every time the child is asked a question. How will that child ever find their voice? How will they ever know what it is like to have their voice amplified and rained out over the crowd?

Not that any parent wants their child to grow up to be a comedian, but I know they want them to be successful. Wow! I got a little off the subject today, but, as my grandson Brady says, “it happens.”

When my mom was over 90, she got to come to a couple of my comedy shows. She actually stood up when I introduced her. “She’s shy!” I think she was honored. And even though I never made a living as a comic, I didn’t make a living typing either. Ha! Thankfully, I didn’t ever need to. I thank God every day for the journey He planned for me, and so far, I’m still on it.

P.S. I just hired an attorney to help me start a Non-profit called Handicapable Masterminds. Stay tuned . . . I’ll need your help.