Can you tell a joke? I can’t. I can’t even remember them. It’s bad! Ask my family and they’ll all totally agree.
A few years ago I was involved in Toastmasters. An incredible organization if you are interested in strengthening your communication and leadership skills. I had been an diligent member for years and had gained my Competent Communicator certificate and was working through specific Advanced Communication skills.
One of the manuals I had to work through was Humorously Speaking. That in itself was humorous to me. I can come across as humorous when I’m telling a story just because crazy things always seem to happen to me, but to be humorous on purpose – YIKES!!
I had worked my way through the manual and keep putting off one of the projects, which was to incorporate a joke into my speech. I balked. I squirmed. I procrastinated. I DID NOT WANT TO DO THIS!
I’m not a joke teller. I can’t remember jokes.
Well, the time came. It was the only project I had left to do. I fretted over this speech only because I had to tell this ONE joke. I memorized and memorized. I practiced and practiced and practiced. Then the day came . . .
I was so sick to my stomach when I took the platform. I was more than prepared, but it just didn’t seem like me. I’M NOT A JOKE TELLER!
I was booking it through my speech and got the joke. I plowed right through it. Remember I had practiced and practiced!!! I got to the punch line and BAM the punch line was GONE!!! I wanted to crawl under the stage, find the backdoor and RUN!
Now by the grace of God, I had decided to speak on being yourself and not trying to be a copy of something or someone you are not. As I bumbled around, there was no hiding the fact that I had totally forgotten the punch line — so I didn’t skip a beat and just said “I’m not a joke teller so therefore it would make no sense for me to try to communicate in jokes because it doesn’t fit who I am — I, Alene, forget punch lines all the time!”
It was a save, but I was still embarrassed! I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt today, I’m not a joke-teller. That’s not who I am — I’m just simple me with a little humor thrown in on the side!
I know…I'd love to be one of those funny speakers who keep people laughing all the while teaching them some wonderful truth.
I'm not and never will be. Oh well, God made me this way for a reason. Love ya, friend.
I am right there with you girlfriend!! What's worse is, I can remember the punch line but not the joke:)
You girls always make me smile!!!
I think Cindy and I would make a great pair.