Transformation with Mildred
I was listening to a stand-up comedian, Michael Junior, as he was speaking on cracking hilarious jokes on stage.
He revealed that one should carefully create a very good set-up to captivate the attention of the audience, before delivering the punch line.
The punch line is the hilarious part that everyone would be anticipating. Without it, there simply is no comedian. A good set-up and the right punch line always ensured outbursts of laughter from the audience.
The set-up, the punch line; this, in my view, is what our lives are all about. Our background is our set-up. From the moment we are born and what happens thereafter, especially those things we have no control of, for example, the families in which we are born and how we are raised. Some are born in rich families and are never in want. That’s their set-up. Some are born in struggling families where survival is a real struggle. That also is their set-up.
As different as our backgrounds and circumstances are, your particular scenario is the ideal set-up for you. However, the set-up alone is not enough, no matter how good it may be.
We were not created to be just idle. Each one of us has a unique purpose that we were born to fulfil. That is the punch line. The big question is; what are you born to do? What is your punch line?
Quite unfortunately, instead of using their set-up to deliver their punch line, some people rely on that set-up as a “reasonable” justification for not doing anything.
While the hardships that some people have in their set-up cannot be discounted, we should not also forget that there are others who rose from such similar or worse situations to become great in their spheres. Footballer, Sadio Mane, and television personality, Oprah Winfrey, are quick examples. Instead of utilising the already validated excuses, they used their respective set-ups to deliver their punch lines, showing the world that anything you set your heart on can be achieved no matter the circumstances around.
Michael Junior
Just as Martin Luther King said, we cannot all be popular but we can all be great, for greatness comes through serving others. Some serve as authors of great books bearing life transforming messages, some serve through singing, some through sports, art, academics, you name it. Remember, you do not necessarily have to be good in your assignment the first time. Improvements come with practice.
In contrast to those who use their set-up as an excuse, some people focus on their set-up so much that they do not have any time left to deliver their punch line. Agreed, living a comfortable life is appealing, but we have to remember, all the basics and luxuries of life are still part of the set-up. What of the punch line?
If we are not careful we may spend the rest of our lives busy with the set-up, having since lost sight of the real reason for our creation; the punch line. The graveyard is said to be the richest place. A lot of potential is stifled within us to the point of extinction while we are busy with what we regard as pertinent issues. A lot of great ideas lie dormant in us and quite sadly, most of us carry them to our final resting places. A wise old man was once quoted saying, the day one dies, those ideas will torment the spirit of the owner, blaming him/her for not giving them life. How many ideas will torment you on your deathbed?
It is never too early or too late to pursue your true calling. Don’t wait for the right environment, or for the right people to show up first. Don’t wait until you obtain the right qualifications. The right time to begin is NOW. Start from where you are, with what you have. You become better and better as you deliver and before you know it, your punchline will have great impact to you and those around.
Mildred Mutize is a transformational writer and speaker contactable on +263773637284, YouTube Channel: Transformation with Mildred, Facebook Page: Mildred Mutize.
For Feedback email milmut50k@gmail.com