by Cyrus Webb
If you are looking for someone to learn from their example when it comes to dealing with the past and moving forward with a vengeance then the story of Elaine Williams is for you. She is one of those individuals who has learned how to use her own life experiences to help others through laughter and her book STOP THE MADNESS.
As someone who grew up performing she shared with me during our radio discussion on Conversations LIVE back in October 2011 that dealing with her dysfunctional family and her own issues with alcohol helped pave the way for finding her voice using comedy. "Comedy has really helped me to lighten up and not take myself so seriously," Williams says. Having dealt with issues of bulimia and sexual assault in her past, she seen firsthand how by discussing them in a more light-hearted way has opened the door for others to step up and share as well.
One experience she shared during the interview was about discussing some of the things she has been through and having some of those in attendance come up to her afterwards and discuss how they had gone through similar situations. "Laughter is so healing and equalizing," she shares, and that is why she works so hard to use her gift to help others.
Part of what has helped Elaine along her journey has been writing. "It has been a lifesaver," she says. She shares that her current book was in the works for about eight years. After a friend suggested she do a book that kept the process simple, it seemed to flow much easier, the result being STOP THE MADNESS.
It has truly seemed like a full circle process for Elaine. This all began with her love of theater and it being an outlet for her. Once that seed was planted, there was no letting it go. "It's a basic human thing to be creative," she says. In the end, no matter what the background of the individual, I agree with her: People just want to know that they matter.
Congrats to Elaine for using her gift in a way that others are able to open up and express themselves. Find out more information about her and the great work that she is doing on her website www.elainewilliamslive.com.
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