Showing posts with label clown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clown. Show all posts

11 September 2008

Philosophy of Clown



A clown motivational speaker.

FOOLMOOON


I liked what Jan Henderson wrote about 'Philosophy of a Clown':

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Philosophy of Clown


by Jan Henderson

In a lifelong search for meaning, I have found the clown to be the best, all-encompassing metaphor for the human condition - an uncompromising mirror to look into for glimpses of the truth. We look at the clown and see ourselves - our hopes, dreams, fears, and virtues, our flaws and our process. Clowns show us how, as a species, we get into trouble - without ever meaning or wanting to - and how we sometimes stumble onto sublime solutions to our problems. The Fool has eyes to see, and heart to recognize.

Clowning isn't something we need to learn so much as something we become aware of in ourselves. Any time that we are curious, playful, or creative, we are in clown mode. When we are in a state of wonder or awe, surprise or amazement, we are in clown. Whenever we have hunches, act on impulse, or digress - we are in clown. Whenever we have strong emotions, we are in clown. The clown lives in the place of laughing and crying at the same time.

The art of clowning involves much more than the slapstick and oversized shoes of the traditional circus clown. The character of The Fool is an essential ingredient of human society - a universal archetype found in some form in all cultures and in all times. The Clown is the " puer aeternus" , the eternal child in all of us - the innocent who sees things as they really are and not as convention decrees, who can be counted on to tell us, in the loudest possible voice, that the emperor's not wearing any clothes. It is the part of us that has never grown up, that lives in the heart and in the moment, with no past to regret and no future to dread - the part that only wants to play, completely free of responsibility - and yet is willing and able to save the world if necessary.

The clown takes everything literally and personally, questioning everything under the sun except itself, blithely flaunting the egg on its face and the heart on its sleeve. With the best of intentions and no thought of failure, it leaps naively into danger - getting knocked down over and over - but never failing to get up and try again. It is an embodiment of hope in the face of hopelessness, and possibility in the face of the impossible. It blissfully ignores the obvious and somehow convinces us of the wisdom of folly, and if, as I suspect, we are here to bear witness to the universe, the clown aspect of ourselves provides the best color commentary.

Clowning is about the freedom that comes from a state of total, unconditional acceptance of our most authentic selves, warts and all. It offers us respite from our self-doubts and fears, and opens the door to joy. And the best part is, we are all already our clowns. They are here inside us, waiting for us to recognize them so that they can come out and play.

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She basically tells how a clown is a REAL part of you.

Which is true.

I may seem like a totally different person when I'm Salad d Clown, but that's still me. I could never act out Salad from beginning till end. I would forget HOW to be Salad if I don't do clowning after some time.

But... I never forget how to be Salad d Clown. She's always there.

So I can proudly say:

I AM A CLOWN



30 July 2008

A Clown's Worth

It has been a very challenging time for me to finally realise what I'm worth.

How much am I worth?

How do you measure what you're worth?

God has given me a set of skills that only about 0.001% of the population in Johor possesses.

It also reminds me of how I should be using these skills for a higher cause.

I have been fiercely reminded during the past weekend that I am a worthy child of God and that there is more for me to do than just on Sundays.

After being sucked and pummeled in the world, it has broken down dreams and built up wisdom. Nothing that has happened was bad. All was for a purpose. I thank God for the lessons - hard as it may be.

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Clowning is a profession. I take pride in what I do. I take pride in my costume and in my makeup. I take pride in my red nose and in how I portray myself to the children. I take pride in how I talk to the children and make them see that they are noticed and loved and capable of so many things.

I may not have the full set of skills, but I know that I have the heart and passion for it. With this passion, I seek to make myself look good and make others feel good.

There is nothing great or fancy or fantastic about being a clown.

In fact, it is the most humbling of professions and I truly believe a good clown can never be full of himself or herself.

Clowns put themselves in a servant position where the ultimate goal is to make others happy on the clown's expense.

However, it is not totally GIVE only... Clowns TAKE when people's responses are in the form of smiles and laughter.

Do not underestimate the power of joy. Joy one of the most talked about emotion in the Bible - first being love.

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Dear God,

Teach me to use these skills you have given to me and to put Your joy and happiness into the hearts of people (old and young) that it might overflow and spread around to others around them.

Teach me to be humble and to lower myself even more when situations prove otherwise.

Fill me with more of Your love and joy, so that my cup overflows and let this joy and love fill the cups of those around me.

As the creator of all animals and plants and the whole universe, grant me creativity to portray that love and joy in ways that touch their hearts directly.

Thank you for those who has taught me such wonderful skills.


May Your kingdom be filled with clowns and Your glory shine through their red noses.

Amen!