Don't Compromise Your Values!

Reframing Rejection & Staying True (Things That Matter #30)

I’ve mentioned before on this site that, in recent months, a booker who found out I was Christian, emailed me and told me she doesn’t book Christians. Initially, I was pissed. It was pretty petty and childish. It didn’t take long, however, to reframe it. In the end, I realized it a) saved me the headache and perhaps heartache of working with her; b) it’s her loss; and, c) that I should do what I’ve always done, namely, create my own opportunities. So, I have.

Now, if you aren’t aware, stand-up comedy tends to lean pretty hard left. That means, in most stand-up circles, there’s a tacit acceptance of things that run against my values. That also means that the temptation to fudge on a question about my faith, to sidestep, to back down constantly rears its ugly head. But I won’t give in to it.

The truth is: some people are rubbed wrong just by my identity as a Christian coming into a place like a secular comedy venue. They don’t like it. Some don’t care. Still others have approached me during or after shows to vent or ask for prayer in secular venues. Prayer? For real? Yup. And here’s what that tells me: authenticity builds trust. I know how I am, who I am, and whose I am. And I’m confident in all of that. I think people recognize that they can trust me because of that, because I won’t waver.

In the wake of rejection, my reframing has led me to book my own shows elsewhere, produce events, run a podcast, teach joke-writing to college students twice a week, and lead a two-day stand-up workshop for high schoolers. In my classes, I have a creative way to teach my students to start with and tap into who they are, then dial into their voice and stay true to it. That same principle applies to me.

Of course, maintaining my values isn’t always easy. It can be tough. But it’s always worth it. I save myself from the heartache of compromising and attract people who trust my consistency. I also prove that success doesn’t require bowing the knee to anyone or anything, that it doesn’t require compromising who I am or what I believe. And I think that’s something that really matters.

INSTAGRAM: Friends, I’m trying to grow my Instagram presence. It would mean a lot to me if you could follow me HERE. Thanks.

JOKE WRITING COURSE: By the way, if you have any interest at all in learning about your persona, how to write some jokes, or doing stand-up comedy, check out my online joke writing course, “The Joke Writer’s Lab,” HERE.