Tell People How You Feel

I have learned more about life, people, and humanity from watching stand-up comedy than anything else. People are so guarded. They feel so alone, so abnormal and bizarre because of all of their foibles. And comedians do too. But comedians don't care. They go out on stage, put themselves under a microscope, and project it to the world. Ironically, any comedian who thinks that they are funny because their life is so unique is wrong; they are funny because they are so relatable.

By and large, audience members do not interact with performers. Most people get up and leave a theater or a comedy club after the curtain closes. Most people read a book and put it away when they're done.

I don't necessarily mind this, but it can be disheartening. A creator affects a great number of people - more people than they will ever know. Too few people take the time to share how they were moved with the creator.

I believe that anybody who shares themselves with the world wants to affect people. Every acknowledgement they get empowers and drives them to continue creating and sharing. It is very much a reciprocal relationship.

As such, I speak to you as both an audience member and as a creator.

Creators - Know that you are affecting people. Understand that many people will not tell you that for a variety of reasons (shy, lazy, afraid), but that you are still reaching them.

Audience members - Tell people how you feel. It really makes a tremendous difference in somebody's lives. I have read from authors that, even though they literally get more emails in a day than they can respond to, that they enjoy and appreciate every one and that those emails get them through the rough times. Be part of that group of special, benevolent people.