The show started with the most unexpected act. Legendary musicians played an annual benefit concert at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta recently to preserve and restore historic theaters and fund education programs across the state. During the evening, Shawn Mullins did his best to assure us that everything’s gonna be alright. Charlie Star and Blackberry Smoke enticed us to find breathing room in the light of a crimson moon. And in the final magical moments, Indigo Girls Amy Ray and Emily Saliers called on the ancient spirit of Galileo to enlighten us all.
But the night didn’t start with the legends. As the lights first dimmed and a hush came over the crowd, a clown dressed in black and white shuffled quietly onto the stage. The sad clown stood nearly seven feet tall, with a gold crown sitting slightly askew on top of his head. On a wooden stool, he gently propped a small vintage brown suitcase with “Puddle’s Pity Party” written on the side.
Puddles didn’t speak a word as he tentatively moved around the stage getting organized. Finally, he settled behind a mike stand and opened his mouth for the first time. You could’ve heard a pin drop as he sang a moving rendition of Billie Eilish’s recent Barbie ballad “What Was I Made For.” Song after song, Puddles captivated the audience with the melancholy of his baritone voice. The audience rewarded him with a standing ovation. He was a hit. It was a privilege to witness in person the “sad clown with the golden voice” whose star has risen over the last few years.
Puddles has a beautiful voice, but it’s not his technical skill that makes people love him. Surely there are those who match, or even exceed, his vocal talent. What makes us love him is his ability to connect by showing a vulnerability that shines right through the costume. Even when he’s dressed as a clown, his raw emotions are very real.
Each one of us brings our own strengths and real-life experiences to the table. We need it all to tackle the challenges we face. Imagine what good we could do if we harness the energy being used to be something we’re not, and instead focused on using our talents more constructively. We don’t benefit if everyone’s the same or hiding behind a façade. And life is just better when we foster relationships where we know we can be real with each other and still be ok.
So how can you be more real?
Take off your mask. What cover do you put on before you face the world each day? How do you present yourself? Dressing a certain way, putting on makeup or doing your hair can be fun ways to express who you are, but be careful not to use them as a shield instead.
Let down your guard. Does your tough, brash attitude push people away? Would those around you welcome a gentler tone and think more of you if your message were delivered with a little more humility? People don’t respect you out of fear. They respect you because something you’re saying or doing resonates with them. Putting bravado aside lets you make more meaningful connections.
But please don’t be a jerk. Being fully yourself isn’t an excuse to be rude or disrespectful to others while claiming your poor choices are just part of who you are. That said, no one is perfect. Sometimes you must try things to see what works for you. Striving to be the best version of yourself on most days (and making things right where you can on other days) is good enough.
Be brave. Putting yourself out there can be scary. How do you know if your real self will be accepted? The truth is you don’t. But do it anyway. Do it scared. And trust that you will find the people who will love you for who you are.
When Kevn Kinney and rock band Drivin N Cryin later sang about the strength of standing with the people, we believed him because we had just seen a glimpse of it. When Puddles extended his hand down to the entire front row as he sang, every person responded by reaching out to give him a high five in return. He put himself out there and the audience bought into his uniquely delivered message. Despite the clown costume, he let down his guard and delivered a stunning vocal performance that allowed us to connect with the real person underneath. That is why he is beloved.
People tend to gravitate toward well-intentioned people who are real and authentic. We are all imperfectly perfect, just as we are. But we have to be brave enough to show it.
Will you show your true self to the world? We can’t wait to see it.
