Two weeks ago, I wrote about my “silliness” skill and my ability to make others feel comfortable being goofballs. Then I spoke to a friend of mine who also has this skill.  From her perspective, the skill isn’t just about making others feel comfortable being playful, but also about making others feel more comfortable about their insecurities. She explained that when we heighten and exaggerate our own insecurities, bringing them to a “ten,” the insecurities become a lot less intimidating and a lot more ridiculous, evoking more laughter and less anxiety. For example, I tend to be a perfectionist, a behavior rooted in my insecurity of not being good enough. When I notice I’m feeling perfectionistic, I exaggerate the statement—“If I don’t have straight A’s, I’m not trying hard enough” becomes “I MUST score an ‘A’ on EVERY assignment or else I don’t deserve to be in school at all!” This statement is accompanied by a deep, scratchy, commanding voice and dramatic, clutching hand gestures. With this insecurity externalized and heightened, I’m able to see what parts of it are ridiculous and illogical; I can see how these perfectionistic thoughts, which are so natural and constant in my mind, don’t actually serve me. It was empowering for me to recognize that my “silliness” skill has broader implications than I thought. It’s not only about helping others feel comfortable being playful; it’s also about helping others feel comfortable and safe enough to confront their insecurities, hopefully to then view them with a fresh and less anxious perspective.

Last Wednesday was the common art talent show, which I’ve been helping community members organize since October. I utilized my “making others feel comfortable with their insecurities” skill as an MC; I hosted the show in a very silly and campy way, keeping the stakes low to help with performers’ stage fright. It’s not that I didn’t take the show seriously—I made sure the performers were able to have sincere moments on stage—but I tried not to intensify the show. With this hosting style, I also tried to emphasize that one doesn’t have to excel at something to share it with the world. For example, I really love writing limericks and I wrote some for the show; I don’t write and perform them because I’m particularly talented (please note the slant rhymes below) but rather because it’s something I genuinely enjoy. I think it’s important to model this for others; creativity and art aren’t things we should have to be exceptional at to enjoy. For me, a lot of the “talent” comes across in the passion and dedication as opposed to pure skill or form. As an audience member, I’m more captivated by passion than I am by “talent” alone. Of course, there is no shortage of talent at common art, but I think it’s important to encourage those who don’t feel “talented” to make or perform art as well.

There once was a show full of talent

With acts so heartful and gallant

Some are poetic

Others energetic

Will anyone fail? No, they shalln’t!

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12/5/19, Amanda Ludeking