Archive for the Category »Healing Humor Resources «
A real blast from the past on AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio Show! Encore presentation of our all-time MOST popular broadcast — ENJOY!
From our very first broadcast season, Becky Cortino explains:
- Need for training and continuing education for all
- Different levels of proficiency, to gear necessary training
- Types of training, to make any training program more effective
SHOW NOTES:
The Healing Humor Program discussed in this show is now available as an online multi-media program. For more details and to enroll, click here: Healing Humor: Live Happy – Be Healthy
Online Training and Mentorship Programs and lots of Resources are available via AHeart4Clowning.com. For more information about programs and resources, click this link: Training from the Heart
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
AHeart4Clowning.com 2012 Planner (PDF)
As part of our 2012 5-Years of FAB FUN Celebration, we are pleased to provide our Readers with a great 2012 Planner, to help you plan your appearances, training sessions, and all other very important dates throughout this year!
We hope you will find it useful, and will enjoy.
Happy New Year!
Click here for MORE: Celebrate 5 Years of Fab FUN!
Who doesn’t like to get gifts?!
Never before in the history of this blog (begun in 2007) have we had the wonderful opp we have today, to so generously gift our AHeart4Clowning Readers!
Here’s how AHeart4Clowning Readers receive $100+ Gift, from our Heart to yours…
This is a great time to buy those books you’ve been wanting to read, get our brand NEW book, buy books for your Healing Humor friends or clowning group — at a sweet discount!
Coupon CODE: BUYMYBOOKS305
This limited-time special promotion ends on December 14, 2011 11:59PM PST
More promotion details, book ordering Tips, and to grab your own special AHeart4Clowning.com Coupon, click this link: http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2011/11/28/discount-coupon-save-25-percent-on-aheart4clowning-books-for-hospital-clowns-and-healthcare-family-entertainers/
Click this link to preview and purchase AHeart4Clowning Books: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/beckycortino
Please Note: This promotion, any and all related terms and conditions are offered by our Publisher, and are not under our control.
$$$>>>The amount you save depends upon your purchase, of course — but at a savings, with 25% discount! Enjoy 
2) Have you read our newest book?
Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue
This book is especially for Hospital Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers, Applied Humor Therapists, and SmileMakers on the topic of entertaining effectively in the healthcare setting. In addition to being a great read providing:
- Pointers and Tips for Entertaining in the Healthcare Setting
- Inspirations and Ideas for Putting Your Best Foot Forward
- Actionable Steps to be an Effective Healthcare Family Entertainer
- Journaling and List-keeping Section
$$$>>>A Special Reader BONUS Gifts ($45 Value) is included! More about this book: http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2011/09/22/new-book-injecting-healing-humor-in-the-healthcare-setting-entertaining-effectively-in-the-healthcare-venue/
Preview and purchase this book here: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/injecting-healing-humor-in-the-healthcare-setting/17270124
Click here to: Celebrate 5 Years of FAB FUN with Us!
3) Snag your own Comp Ticket to our 5 Years of FAB FUN Celebration in 2012! As a special “Thank you!” to everyone who has ever purchased any AHeart4Clowning book, CD, DVD (audio-or-video), a digital product or online course, we have a Special Online Event planned — details to be announced — be sure to register to receive event details, and your Complimentary Ticket to attend!
Register any purchase you make, to receive a Complimentary Ticket to attend AHeart4Clowning’s 5 Years of FAB FUN Celebration, a special “Thank you” from us to you! After you make your purchase, click this link for event details, and to register:
http://www.aheart4clowning.com/2011/11/07/aheart4clowning-celebrates-5-years-of-fab-fun/
$$$>>>5 Years of FAB FUN Online Event Ticket Valued at: $55.00(Complimentary)
Click here for More: AHeart4Cowning 4You
So, O-K — what’s the deal, how can this be?! Just over one year ago, I released a video explaining about AHeart4Clowning.com, our books and my efforts. In it, I pointed out that this site and AHeart4Clowning.com is not a “typical” ‘business model,’ for an organization to survive and thrive lol That is certainly true, and remains so!
Personally, I don’t “make a living” from this site or my efforts here, but I am pleased for the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience to benefit you. In turn, it has been a delight to meet so many like-minded folks! I wholeheartedly do believe that we make this world a better place by sharing our gifts and talents. I’ve been duly complimented by being accused of openly ‘walking my talk,’ and hopefully you can see this is evidenced as true, by all I put into this site and all AHeart4Clowning.com efforts for you…
So how can we “gift” $100 to savvy AHeart4Clowning Readers? Good question! For one thing, as they say — “timing is everything,” for us and for our Readers! All this happens to happily coincide with our upcoming 5 Years of FAB FUN Celebration, so that’s added coolness! It’s the ‘cherry on top‘!
But, this is all made possible through the excellent partnerships and long-standing working relationships we have. We are thrilled our Publisher is offering special promotions, because it means more folks are reading our books, more lights are shining in dark places crying out for it, creating miles and Miles of Smiles! YaY
Why am I offering BONUSES and a special Online Celebration? As a thank you to YOU, for your support of this cause, to bless you back. It is through your purchases of AHeart4Clowning books, our online courses and products, that this site remains here, constantly updated with fresh, new material ongoing, featuring important news that affects our ‘work,’ and spotlighting inspiring folks!
Through your comments, ideas and stories shared, ‘thumbs ups’ and sharing AHeart4Clowning.com, you have helped to make this site better. So, a heartfelt “thank you” for all of that. Thank you for all you do in your work, and also furthering this important idea of Applied Humor Therapy in the healthcare setting.
ADDED BONUSES: A series of FREE special events, features and FUN are planned for all of our AHeart4Clowning Readers throughout 2012 — stay tuned!
Click here to Stay Tuned: Lots Planned! Celebrate 5 Years of AHeart4Clowning FAB FUN in '12!
These events and FUN things will be ongoing throughout 2012, and NO registration is required — they’re for EveryBuddy!Watch this site and blog for details as they roll out 
So my hope for you, is not only increasing Joy in this work that only looks like play, but in some way I can, do and will continue to serve your needs through AHeart4Clowning.com
I sincerely hope if you buy a book, enroll in an online AHeart4Clowning course, or purchase a product from us, you will benefit greatly from it, as will all those you come into contact with, during your meandering journey.
If you never purchase anything from AHeart4Clowning.com, thank you for all you do and give, serving so actively in the Trenches! I hope you are blessed by all you find here, and what I offer helps you in your work.
Thank you one and all, for sharing Miles of Smiles!
My Heart to Yours,
Becky
Our AHeart4Clowning “Books and MultiMedia” page has been redesigned, to make browsing easier, with our ever-growing collection!
When you click-through the links provided on our page, you will get more details about the books, be able to make your selection, and purchase directly from our Publisher.
TIPs:
>>>When you arrive on the Publisher’s book site, be sure to note any delivery advisories (in the case of Holiday Deliveries as an example), for your planning purposes.
>>>From time to time, our Publisher also offers special promotions like: “FREE Ground Shipping” for orders (specifics vary), or offers a “Special” or Coupon CODE for a particular promotion. While on the Publisher’s book site, if you click on their logo (in upper left corner), you will be taken to the main page, where any current special promotional details are listed (as available). These special offers are random, varied, not ongoing, and not under our control — but when we have enough advance notice about them, we will let you know by sharing the information.
Thank you for your interest in our books — Happy Reading!
To see our Books and MultiMedia Programs, click this link: AHeart4Clowning “Books and MultiMedia” page
Happy ThanksLiving!
At this time of the year, grateful hearts often turn inward to reflect on the days and years past, with thankfulness for many things that have transpired in the journey that got them to the arrival point called today...
I too, am thankful for so many wonderful things, but also thankful for things that while not as I would have liked — positively paved the way, shaped, and affirmed the direction and perspective of my work. These influences trained me up in the way not to go — most likely, in the opposite direction (as inferred) — but in the right direction, for me.
Daily, I am thankful for those who provided excellent and inspiring training. For those who allowed me to do the work that I knew I was destined to do — and did — and still do. Granted there aren’t a lot of folks who fall into this category, but thankfully there are fewer who were actually not supportive.
But I am sincerely thankful for those who were persistently not supportive of this work, of my unwavering Grassroots Perspective, and heartfelt desire to freely encourage and inspire as many folks as possible to engage in this wonderful work that only looks like play, from Day One. Were it not for you, perhaps I might have otherwise stopped my quest to learn and be so much more than I was (I never stopped trying), and to share my experiences with others, to help them.
Had you not so influenced me early-on, I might not have otherwise made such a big deal about spreading the Truth that all of this is really NOT “Rocket Science.” I might not have actually gone to such great lengths, and spent tireless hours to show those who were hungry to know more.
Had you not made it all seem like it was such a big, exclusive Secret that only the real Insiders could know and do, and if I — and all the others — were lucky enough, maybe we too could share the inner sanctum with you. Maybe I could have become mesmerized with the possibility. Perhaps I then would have just waited for that day ever to come. “Waiting” would have kept me too busy, preoccupied for anything else.
Then, I probably never would have written my first book, or my second book, or my third book, or my 4 online training programs, or established Humor-Bit TV or AHeart4Clowning TalkRadio, along with maintaining a half-dozen websites about Healing Humor, reaching so many, with encouraging messages and inspiring information they need to hear and want to know. 245 hospital clowns would not have received L-I-V-E training from a caring heart. The world would be a bleaker place, without the Miles of Funny Smiles now encircling it. If I believed at all in luck, and was anxious to be inducted into your inner sanctum, probably I would be waiting, still…
Had you not stressed your rigid requirement that all things fit neatly into a One-Size-Fits-All Approach, and I totally accepted that myth as fact, I might have never have realized the truth that One Size never fits all actually needed to be amplified far and wide — and so I did just that. “One Size” never works, especially in relationships, or in effectively injecting Healing Humor in healthcare. Afterall, that’s what we exist to do…
Your teaching helped me to understand the Truths that needed to be presented, so more hearts could be touched by compassionate others; more healthcare Humor Programs could be established, and improved. That’s what it’s all about, for me. I knew it was the Right Thing to do.
So thank you, my Naysayers of Days Gone By. I appreciate the fact that you challenged me! I whole-heartedly accepted that challenge. Had you not influenced me in the ways you did, and I did not feel compelled to run with this, we would not be having this conversation today.
Because of your influence, armed with unfaltering dedication, and a very clear understanding of my purpose, we made a positive impact in this world during the last 8 years!
But wait! There’s more…
While it is said the longest journey begins with a single step, the adventures of a hospital or caring clown into the Great Clown Unknown may comprise the most incredible experience of a lifetime, in every step taken by those funny shoes and in the true heart behind that nose. This book is written based upon personal experience, explorations and interest-directed research serving in the trenches, as a hospital or caring clown since 1997.
Presented as an inspiring collage from my clown heart as a grassroots volunteer community-based hospital clown creative ministry coordinator, this book is well-seasoned with insight, served up with the purpose of providing a dose of encouragement to active healthcare venue performers and creative arts entertainers; those with a heartfelt desire to inject healing humor into the healthcare setting; or those simply interested in taking a peek into the joy-full existence, a part of the blessed journey of hospital/caring clowns and creative arts family entertainers!
The Print Edition of From the Heart: Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting (the basis of this eBook), was one of my 2 books selected by my publisher to be featured on the Amazon.com Marketplace.
NOTE: If above “preview” feature doesn’t work, click this link to preview book on our Publisher’s site: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/from-the-heart-injecting-healing-humor-in-the-healthcare-setting/4475595
This eBook is available in Adobe PDF (format) – Adobe Digital Editions
5 Related articles you might find helpful on Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting, are listed below this blog post (click on the title of this article, if you don’t see topics listed below)…
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
- Lessen the OOPS! Factor…
Awkward moments happen, don’t they?! Awkward silences… a time everyone wishes had never happened… or something we would like to forget…
The truth is, you can find those moments, places in time, or events anywhere — any time. The healthcare setting is no exception.
Awkward moments occur in the healthcare setting, often precipitated by the very reason a hospital clown, healthcare family entertainer, applied humor therapist or smilemaker has for being there:
- Patient unknowingly, unaware, under heavy medication
- Staff in high gear, attending to patients
- Visitors, wanting the best for their loved one
The possibilities and combinations of awkward moments are so vast, and always developing, that I don’t think it would be possible to establish a comprehensive listing of them. In fact, healthcare personnel visiting patients for years, agree with my observation that even after my almost 14-years in the hospital setting, I continued to see “something I had never seen before” on clown rounds.
Two reasons for these surprising developments:
- Based on the diversified human condition and all sorts of health-related situations — the possible combinations are limitless. So often, we like to categorize things in order to simplify, don’t we? We think this helps us to organize information, better understand things, and direct our efforts appropriately. However, when dealing with the human condition in the healthcare setting, much of what is experienced from the hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer standpoint does not allow for easy categorization.
- Just like life, these awkward moments “come at you fast,” so a healthcare humor therapist has to be ready. Changes can occur as you’re in the patient’s room, or when you just walked in to visit. How you handle these situations affects the outcome of your visit — it’s effect, and your relationship with the hosting facility and staff. It may even affect your future performances.
How awkward moments are handled are dependent not so much upon a “standard operating procedure” (as the situation often defies ‘definition’), but rather based on training and preparation. You may wonder how training can prepare anyone for the unknown occurrences or yet-to-happen or be-seen event? Good question.
Through proper training, and mentorship, a hospital clown, caring clown, healthcare family entertainer, applied humor therapist, or smilemaker may:
- Become familiar with the concept of the “uncertainties” that lie within the healthcare facility walls.
- Develop strategies for dealing with “uncertainties” that may occur while on rounds.
- Gain confidence in the process, resulting in increased ability to handle whatever comes their way during visitation.
- Become proficient in performing in-the-moment, on-the-fly, and changing up their performance instantaneously.
While on rounds these many years, I’ve had a number of awkward moments occur around me. Like life, the beauty and simplicity lies in how you handle them. I have performed in mixed company and not, in the midst of some pretty surprising occurrences and conditions. I believe my extensive training provided a solid platform from which to do the work that looks like play, in the middle of whatever I encountered.
If you’ve read my writings for any length of time, you know I’ve said that folks often think visiting patients in the hospital is an “endearing idea.” They think this without a real understanding of what is involved. For them, it’s a warm and fuzzy idea in a cold, sterile world. I’m glad it looks easy to them — that’s what we would want for them, isn’t it?
Some aspiring to perform this wonderful service for others leap into training, but come away without what I consider to be ‘true preparation.’ Recognizing the fact that there are some awkward things ‘training’ can’t specifically prepare anyone for, but rather a broad-brush approach, to provide knowledge and confidence to deal with the unknown.
How to prepare for the Great Clown Unknown (I reference in my first book), requires training, mentorship and actual experience. To hold folks back from going on the floor until all the training components have been ‘checked-off The List,’ severely limits the effectiveness of any clown training program.
Some facilitators and hospital clown trainers like to make it all seem like Rocket Science. I promise you, it is not. It is much more like an art than a science.
Even if a hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer has a “clown doctor” persona, I assure you this ‘funny biz’ is much less about “science” than the actual ‘art’ of the human relationship. If there is even a bit of “science” in the mix, I guarantee the patients, family and staff will not permit you to perform the necessary surgery or medical procedures, no matter how extensive your training, check-marked accomplishments on The List, your “degree” or science background!
So — “awkward moments” happen. They happen for the reasons I listed above. They exist because people are people. These moments will continue to happen. The most effective way to deal with them is to be prepared the best way we can — through training and recognizing this fact. Otherwise, we are putting the mechanical aspects of what we do ahead of the actual administration of applied humor therapy — our true purpose for being there. The ‘work’ we do is based on the ‘art’ of the human relationship.
Remembering this helps lessen the impact of the OOPS! Factor… and don’t we all feel better about that ?!
5 Related articles you might find helpful are listed below this blog post (click on the title of this article, if you don’t see topics listed below)…
NEWly-published book especially for Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers, Applied Humor Therapists and SmileMakers, about entertaining in the healthcare setting (click on this linked text): Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
Click here for Miles of Smiles: Funny Smile Makerz Kit + MORE
Funny Smile Makerz have been popular for years with a lot of folks all over the place wanting to share smiles!
Funny Smile Makerz Kit + MORE is now available on our established Podclass platform. Podclass is the awesome place on the web where we’ve offered our AHeart4Clowning and Healing Humor webinars and audio programs since 2008. It’s a very user-friendly platform you can visit as often as you like, and enjoy our classes, webinars and products ongoing, indefinitely!
Over the years we have offered the Funny Smile Makerz Kit, it has grown, but so has the need! With this in mind, we expanded the Funny Smile Makerz to much more than just an art file to print out…
Funny Smile Makerz have always been able to:
- Easily share Smiles everywhere
- Print as many Smiles as desired, often as needed
- Produce quantities of Smiles in batches
We’ve repackaged and renamed it: Funny Smile Makerz Kit + MORE — and also included:
- 37 Totally FUN “Bright Ideas” eBook, filled with experienced presentation and production pointers to create more FUN and Smiles
- FUN Printable Label Templates, to share smiles more creatively
- Video Tips
- Easy Printing Tips eBooklet
The Tips and Performance Pointers are designed to help you create a presentation or performance segment built around and using Funny Smiles for all types of audiences and venues. These ideas are based on my tried-and-true experience as a Family Entertainer since 1997. We believe this repackaging offers much more value, service and product, presented in an all-in-one user-friendly environment, organized and easy for you to find, use and enjoy!
- Click here for Miles of Smiles: Check out Funny Smile Makerz Kit + MORE
This all-NEW very cool version of Funny Smile Makerz Kit is better than ever, with added features, NO waiting, NO email hassles.
Easy! Download and use right now, and when you need them!
- Fast! Or fast as your internet connection (can’t help you there lol)…
- No placing orders for ‘another kit’ or ‘supply,’ hoping to get them in in time!
- No more hoping the order arrives as your ordered, risking disappointment!
- NO shipping charges! NO sales tax!!
- THE most inexpensive way to create Miles of Smiles!
- Can’t find your Funny Smile file downloaded on your computer? It happens, doesn’t it?! No more searching your computer for the art or label templates — easily found and always available in your Funny Smile Makerz Kit + MORE — just a click away!
Our Promise: If the Funny Smile Makerz Kit + MORE fee increases — you will pay no additional charges.
When new materials are added to this program, you will receive the value at NO additional charge!
Check out our NEW Funny Smile Makerz Kit + MORE (click this link)
That’s right! Absolutely NOTHING… and it’s pretty drab, boring, downright cheerless, and probably depressing — for everyone. Don’t let this happen! Add color, smiles and cheer to the healthcare setting near you — TODAY.
“Healing Humor is NOT a Band Aid — it’s a Way of Life.
It’s for EveryBuddy!” ~ Becky Cortino
REMEMBER: A Smile is a terrible thing to waste.
===
Resources and other Great Stuff to help you:
5 Related articles you might find helpful are listed below this blog post (click on the title of this article, if you don’t see topics listed below)…
—-AND—-
Resources – Guides on: How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group, and Entertaining in the Healthcare Setting, click this linked text (here)
—-AND—-
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
—Share Miles of Smiles: Funny Smilemakerz Kit for Smiles on a Stick and Endless Smiles—
My Road or the Highway?! Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Setting...
I would suppose from the other side of the clown nose, in the healthcare setting, things look a little differently than as to those of us entertaining children of all ages, behind the world’s tiniest mask, as a hospital clown.
Now as I think about it, probably it also seems counter-intuitive that we are in fact performing as a family entertainer, sharing laughter, cheer and applying generous doses of humor wherever our meandering trail leads us that day in the hospital or healthcare setting, in the midst of all the sickness, sadness, uncertainty and death.
Ahhhhh! Such is the divinely topsy-turvy world of the hospital clown, caring clown, healthcare family entertainer! How perfect a setting, especially due to the very nature of the clown, where inside-out, upside-down, and what is — in actuality — is quite apparently not. See…?!
“Flexibility” is the name of The Game, as those clown shoes meander into each room and public space of the hosting facility:
- Each situation encountered is always entirely different from the last or the next, making profuse applications of “Improv” absolutely essential. (Expect this and you won’t be so surprised lol)
- With varying patient’s conditions and ongoing staff intervention of treatments and procedures, it is not always possible to complete each schtick or sight gag performance in its entirety. (Remain flexible, and you won’t disappoint.)
- Procedures and policies change, and new ones are often implemented, changing things-up for hospital clowns and healthcare family entertainers. (Deal with it — roll with the changes.)
- It is not appropriate for the hospital clown, caring clown or healthcare family entertainer to set about their work that looks like play with a mind only focused on their “work.” The true goal or mission of what they’re about isn’t really the ‘work’ at all — it’s all about the audience. (Keep the audience in focus, always in mind, as you entertain.)
We know it is said “For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required,” and truer than true this could not be, for those of us so blessed with the privilege of spreading goodhearted laughter, cheer and Joy in the hospital or healthcare setting.
In the process of what we do, we are often allowed into a space where few are allowed or tread. That is hallowed ground indeed, where we cast away all that is, ignore our cares and fears, leading those who we meet right there to a place of Joy and Wonder of what might be — could be — is.
All very counterintuitive, you might think?
Thinking not: it all depends upon your perspective.
5 Related articles you might find helpful are listed below this blog post (click on the title of this article, if you don’t see topics listed below)…
NEWly-published book especially for Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers, Applied Humor Therapists and SmileMakers, about entertaining in the healthcare setting (click on this linked text): Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
Click here for More: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue
At one of the training programs I led, a student told me that what I shared regarding the importance of improv really flipped a light on in her mind. Being primarily a “skit” clown performer, she was really excited about this discovery and looking forward to exploring improvisation!
I was excited for her too, making this breakthrough! I shared with her that I knew this would also greatly help her in her upcoming humanitarian clowning trips she had planned.
Then, the unimaginable happened — when the improv training segment came around, she was off in another class (similar to what she had taken in a previous training program I held).
My reaction: I was highly disappointed for her, because I knew she was missing an opportunity to learn and grow in a new way. For sure, she would come away with a fresh perspective and some new performance tips.
Yet, I understand this is what we call ‘human nature,’ repeating those familiar things or what we most enjoy, but — letting that stand in front of growing in our knowledge and proficiency in this art. It’s like repeating what we already know, and if we learn anything new, it’s just piling more information on top — leaving a void of Great Possibilities yet to be filled. Worse — maybe never filled!
How about you? Have you explored a new art or performance style that would help you in your applied humor therapy routines or add some spark to your clown rounds? It’s natural to feel tentative about trying something new, but why would you want to stunt your growth in learning and exploring all the possibilities of what you can do, or be as a hospital clown or healthcare family entertainer?
Isn’t that a little like cheating your adoring audience, waiting to see what’s next — and you make the dreaded mistake of actually repeating the same thing you did last time?! YIKES Even if the facility staff sees you doing this, it makes you look ill-prepared and non-professional, with a sorely limited repertoire.
Life is improvisation. It is not “fill-in-the-blank” in Real Life. Living life successfully, as well as entertaining effectively is not a “formula.” In our world, where coloring outside the lines and being “different” is lauded as being ‘good,’ why embrace an Old School mentality? This doesn’t serve your audience well, help you meet your purpose, or allow you to be the entertainer you’re capable of being.
In the kind of work we do that looks like play, it is critical that we are able to be flexible, proficient in a number of presentation modes, and able to roll with things as they happen, because even on stage in a real theatre with a script in hand, “things” can happen.
This thought goes beyond improvisation, although improv is certainly a large part of what we do. To be a well-rounded performer who can meet their audience wherever they are, in whatever condition we find them, we must be prepared. That includes knowing more than a trick or two — but doesn’t necessarily mean buying a trunk load of props and items you might use every now and then. It’s more about you and what you bring to your performance, and how you add your flair or special spin to the whole presentation.
The work we do is already stepping out of our comfort zone, and into a place we do not inhabit, save for the few hours we spend there. Why impede the positive effects and health benefits you can share with those who need you to be there, always giving your best?
My advice: Realize this situation for what it is. Step out of your comfort zone to learn something new — and grow some more! You may discover something you don’t like… you will learn something new!
NEWly-published book especially for Hospital Clowns, Caring Clowns, Healthcare Family Entertainers, Applied Humor Therapists and SmileMakers, about entertaining in the healthcare setting:
More about this recommended book (click on this linked text): Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting: Entertaining Effectively in the Healthcare Venue
You’re invited to receive our FREE Hospital Clown/Healthcare Family Entertainer/Applied Humor Therapist/SmileMaker e-Newsletter… by signing up to receive FREE Hospital Clown e-Newsletter (click on this link here)
Click here for More: Clown Soup + Healing Humor!
Now serving up the last round of “Clown Soup” best practices hospital clown training video program and “Healing Humor: Live Happy-Be Healthy” audio program!
These 2 popular programs will no longer be available (in their current form) after October 14, 2011
Unfortunately, our supplier will not be providing the services we’ve enjoyed in producing these video and audio products.
Although we plan to offer these products in a new presentation in the future, nothing is set at this time…
If you would like to have these physical products to use and enjoy, we highly recommend snagging your copy now!
Click here for a Last Serving of: Clown Soup!
There’s a Clown in My Soup! “Best Practices” Video Training Program 21 Key Questions Every Healthcare Family Entertainer should be able to answer… There’s a Clown in My Soup is a ‘Best Practices’ EduTrainment Clown Rounds module especially for hospital/caring clowns and healthcare family entertainers. Presented to integrate universal concepts for performers in the healthcare venue, this program makes effective learning enjoyable in a fresh, fun and new, memorable way. Details are included for registering product purchase to receive “Clown Soup” Facilitator Guide, Participant Question Booklet and corresponding Answer Sheet for this training program.
Click this linked text for: a last serving of Clown Soup (Video Training Program)
Healing Humor: Live Happy-Be Healthy (Audio Program CD)
Click here for Last Serving of: Healing Humor (Audio CD)
The world is growing increasingly gray; the need for humor in daily life is paramount… Recognizing the need for humor in the everyday and seeking out ways to enhance your life by adding your own special blend of humorous ingredients offers health-boosting benefits, as well as making your world brighter! This audio program discusses the world’s growing need for Healing Humor and how to apply its simple principles to live a happy and healthy life. Healing Humor is for EveryBuddy! No specific claims or promises as related to health, well-being, healing or financial wealth, but research findings and ideas are presented to inspire and encourage you make your life and the world brighter! Written and recorded by author Becky Cortino, based on her forays into the world of holistic humor and Applied Humor Therapy experience since 1997. To Encourage & Inspire Touching Hearts thru the Arts!(TM) AHeart4Clowning.com
Click this linked text for: a last-call serving of “Healing Humor: Live Happy-Be Healthy (Audio Program CD)
Starting October 15th our Menu of Products changes!
Clown Soup and Healing Humor will not be served in quite the same way — we’ll stir up the pot and dish it out a little differently…
We will continue to support and encourage you and those in the trenches, with new recipes!
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