Page 23 - December 2020 Voices
P. 23
Humor – Is It Really a Difficult Concept?
Emilie Taylor, DTM - Immediate Past District Director
say humor is a difficult provide us with PLENTY. Look into your
concept for me. My road own life for moments that are actually
to learning how to deliver funny if you just think a little bit about it.
funny speeches had twists 2. Do not be afraid to experiment. Granting
and turns. I took three classes no one laughs, you know you have your
in Sports Comedy to improve work cut out for you. Go and experiment,
my mental flexibility and learn don’t be afraid to try anything…you might
to go with flow. As if that was not just surprise yourself. I didn’t know I
enough, I signed up for a class on could make people laugh like that. When
Stand Up Comedy. It wasn’t a walk you do the over the top punch line and
in the park . . . 12 long weeks of the audience wishes they wore their
practicing your craft of three “Depends,” you are hooked for good.
jokes. Yes, three jokes. That’s no 3. Stretch a little for laughs. No one really
joke! I thought it was going to knows the truth but you. If they ask, was
be easy. But no . . . it takes a lot of that true? You can answer back with a
practice to make people laugh . . . at question: “What do you think?”
your silly jokes. 4. And in this Covid-19 era, if you can’t hear
The joy is to discover that if we the laughter because everyone is muted,
practice enough, we can be funny. know that you are enough. Look for
It’s truly a testament to the power smiling eyes on the screen, movement,
of Toastmasters. Our clubs are our perhaps doubling over from the audience…
laboratories. We have safe places where we Continue to practice because when that
can experiment, knowing that it’s alright if we signal finally comes that we don’t have to
fall short. We know that the more we practice practice social distancing anymore or wear
our craft, the better we become. masks, hey, the sky is the limit.
For me, the greatest joy has always been to 5. Be flexible and go with the flow. This will
bring happiness and lightheartedness wherever come in time… Try it… just for laughs!
I am. What I discovered in this journey so far I wish you all a safe, secure, healthy holiday
are the following nuggets/truisms: season–and that’s no joke!
1. You have your life experiences as Love and hugs to you, fellow Toastmasters!
materials. Our everyday experiences
VOICES! | DECEMBER 2020 23
