The healing power of laughter
A few years ago a friend of mine was having a bad day. I didn't know how to help him and make him feel better so not entirely sure of what else to do, I told him a bad joke. It was a somewhat blue joke that involved Siamese twins and some kind of intimate act that I don't quite remember exactly. It caught him off guard and, to my surprise, he actually laughed. I may not have solved his problem but, for a moment at least, I made him feel not quite as bad.
Humor and laughter are essential to life. I tell people "If people aren't laughing and having fun at my funeral then it was all for nothing." That's one of the things that appeal to me about comedy. How necessary it is to find the humor in everything. Humor and laughter are wonderful things.
On family
Surround yourself with people you love: Family, friends, loved ones, waiters you see everyday, coworkers, etc. It will make the whole thing a lot more fun.
"You're no one till somebody hates you"
There's always gonna be some annoying, dissenting voice that's aimed in your direction. Just laugh at them, get it out of your system and move on. When you piss off the idiots of the world, chances are you're doing something right. You're making waves, man. Don't be afraid to be hated for who you are and what you do. At the same time don't make them hate you. Chances are you've got a lot to offer and if they don't want to see that then forget 'em. They're not worth your time. Focus instead on the people that know what you're about and think you're great.
Success, in the eyes of the public, is overrated
As a musician I've been in a position where I've played for over 1,000 people and I just wasn't that into it. I've also played for audiences of only a handful of people and absolutely gave the best I had to offer and had a great time. Which of these sounds like the better show? Make your own definition of what success really is. Success doesn't have to be about numbers. Ask yourself "What do I think about how I'm doing?" If you can ask yourself that and be happy with the answer then you've already succeeded.
Age, shmage
Rodney Dangerfield didn't start doing professional comedy until he was into his 40's. Willie Nelson didn't really become Willie Nelson until he was well into his 30's. Pretty much all my favorite bands and artists are guys that have been around for awhile. Who wants to hear a young, angsty Johnny Cash?
Bottom line age doesn't matter. In fact I think it's better when you're older. Older folks are more interesting to me. They've been around and seen more things and, chances are, probably have a little more to say. I don't know about you folks, but I didn't have a whole lot to say when I was 21. I like that I'm 31 and getting into comedy for the first time. It's something I've wanted to try for years but never had the guts to do it. It's taken me awhile but eventually, when I felt ready, I went for it. I feel the same way now as I did when I was 15 and learning how to play guitar. In learning to love music back then the possibilities seemed endless. At 31 I'm feeling that feeling all over again with this new thing. Maybe 31 isn't THAT old of an age but my point is that you can feel this way when you're 41 or 51 too. The only real age limits are the ones you set for yourself. And, you know, drinking ages and stuff like that.
Eat right and exercise
Something I don't always follow myself, but you do have to lay off the Burger King.
"What do I like about myself?"
Ask this daily. It's amazingly easy to pick out the flaws, but why? We all have them. We all know they're there. No need to focus so intently on them. Start with what works and then figure out what you might need to improve on.
... And the most basic rule of all:
Do what you want and do what makes you happy, just don't hurt other people. The point of all this is to think, feel, share, experience but don't take it all too seriously.
A native New Englander, Chris Neri has been a musician, a comedian and sometimes a writer. A true lover of the DIY method he lives currently with his family in Houston, TX.
