Robin Williams, one of the greatest comedians the world has ever known, committed suicide yesterday.
I have read that many, so many, of the comedians did. They lived in the spotlight, "loved" by millions. But according to psychology studies, the "class-clowns" and jokesters in our lives are this way because of a "negative" in his or her childhood. They are funny because they want the reaction. To be positively noticed. That all the hilarity occurs because of something bad in their lives elsewhere leaving them feeling unseen or unloved.
So to hide it, the "funnies" live in such a way that makes everyone around us smile and laugh. So no one sees the pain inside. I can say that it can be reversed as well. I sometimes use my own laughter as a mask. I will giggle at everything simply to hide my fears, pain, nervousness. I have been trying not to because I want people to see me as I am, but sometimes I still revert back to my "default reaction".
Don't get me wrong. I love to laugh. Laughter is a medicine and an ice-breaker. Laughter shows people your sense of humor and easy-going nature. It's just that sometimes it is used as a mask. Robin Williams admitted to problems and struggles in his life. He used his wit and humor to find himself a place in this world, and I applaud that. Unfortunately it did not stop his life from ending tragically like so many before him.
On that point, many people think that I am a silly, fun loving individual. I love to entertain, to make people smile and laugh. Seeing people happy makes me happy. But what if it's because I'm happy to begin with that I try to make others happy? I see happiness as a contagion. I've got it and I can give it away. Why not make others happy? But unlike psychologists and scientists, I understand that happiness sometimes can come from chemicals, but always comes out of choice.
Why do I say this? Because I know joy. Something much stronger than happiness that arises from the spiritual and not the emotional. My almost constant flow of happiness stems from this. If I could share that joy, and the happiness that comes with it, I would. And I try. It's part of what I live for.
People tell me that I am an amazing person. I make friends easily, I play hard, work harder at work, and live with abandon. They tell me I am one of the nicest of people. They remember me. I wish I could tell them all, strangers and friends and enemies alike, why I am this. And I have. And I still do. Time and again the story comes out.
My life is a mess a lot of the time. No matter how hard I try I still make mistakes and not enough gets done in the day. Sometimes I am left feeling completely frazzled and helpless. I get emotional and opinionated about stupid stuff. I am not as smart as I probably should be. Things happen that I can't control and I don't like it. But still I can smile and laugh and love. Why?
Because I am loved. And I love.
Plain and simple. I am loved by a God who died for me so I could face the world with innocence and joy. Given the gift of love to reach out to people that no one else would give a second chance to.
I began as unlovable.
Now I am redeemed by God Himself. Loved by an incredible family. And met a man who believes himself unlovable by me. He's so wrong on that. I love him so much.
My joy comes from God Most High. My happiness (and most of my laughter) comes from my joy. Let me spread it around. If people were as happy nearly as much as I am, we'd have a much better world.
I encourage the comedians and jokesters to keep up their work.
But I also challenge the rest of us to make sure they don't suffer apart from the laughter. Give them happiness by truly getting to know them and care for them. And maybe, just maybe, there'll be a comedian to rise who finds the joy away from the laughter. And not die unhappy. But die contented, joyful, and Redeemed in Christ who is the giver of pure joy and Love.
I have read that many, so many, of the comedians did. They lived in the spotlight, "loved" by millions. But according to psychology studies, the "class-clowns" and jokesters in our lives are this way because of a "negative" in his or her childhood. They are funny because they want the reaction. To be positively noticed. That all the hilarity occurs because of something bad in their lives elsewhere leaving them feeling unseen or unloved.
So to hide it, the "funnies" live in such a way that makes everyone around us smile and laugh. So no one sees the pain inside. I can say that it can be reversed as well. I sometimes use my own laughter as a mask. I will giggle at everything simply to hide my fears, pain, nervousness. I have been trying not to because I want people to see me as I am, but sometimes I still revert back to my "default reaction".
Don't get me wrong. I love to laugh. Laughter is a medicine and an ice-breaker. Laughter shows people your sense of humor and easy-going nature. It's just that sometimes it is used as a mask. Robin Williams admitted to problems and struggles in his life. He used his wit and humor to find himself a place in this world, and I applaud that. Unfortunately it did not stop his life from ending tragically like so many before him.
On that point, many people think that I am a silly, fun loving individual. I love to entertain, to make people smile and laugh. Seeing people happy makes me happy. But what if it's because I'm happy to begin with that I try to make others happy? I see happiness as a contagion. I've got it and I can give it away. Why not make others happy? But unlike psychologists and scientists, I understand that happiness sometimes can come from chemicals, but always comes out of choice.
Why do I say this? Because I know joy. Something much stronger than happiness that arises from the spiritual and not the emotional. My almost constant flow of happiness stems from this. If I could share that joy, and the happiness that comes with it, I would. And I try. It's part of what I live for.
People tell me that I am an amazing person. I make friends easily, I play hard, work harder at work, and live with abandon. They tell me I am one of the nicest of people. They remember me. I wish I could tell them all, strangers and friends and enemies alike, why I am this. And I have. And I still do. Time and again the story comes out.
My life is a mess a lot of the time. No matter how hard I try I still make mistakes and not enough gets done in the day. Sometimes I am left feeling completely frazzled and helpless. I get emotional and opinionated about stupid stuff. I am not as smart as I probably should be. Things happen that I can't control and I don't like it. But still I can smile and laugh and love. Why?
Because I am loved. And I love.
Plain and simple. I am loved by a God who died for me so I could face the world with innocence and joy. Given the gift of love to reach out to people that no one else would give a second chance to.
I began as unlovable.
Now I am redeemed by God Himself. Loved by an incredible family. And met a man who believes himself unlovable by me. He's so wrong on that. I love him so much.
My joy comes from God Most High. My happiness (and most of my laughter) comes from my joy. Let me spread it around. If people were as happy nearly as much as I am, we'd have a much better world.
I encourage the comedians and jokesters to keep up their work.
But I also challenge the rest of us to make sure they don't suffer apart from the laughter. Give them happiness by truly getting to know them and care for them. And maybe, just maybe, there'll be a comedian to rise who finds the joy away from the laughter. And not die unhappy. But die contented, joyful, and Redeemed in Christ who is the giver of pure joy and Love.
No comments:
Post a Comment