My Cousin is a Clown (Literally). And He's Taught Me Incredible Life Lessons.

Update: Sadly, my cousin lost his battle with cancer not long after this article was posted. I plan to take the next few weeks off and will be back on LI in August.

My cousin is a clown.

Literally.

And I’ve learned more from Chance Noble about the importance of humour, giving, and grace than just about anyone.

What can we learn from clowns who juggles fire, rides a unicycle, tells jokes, makes balloon animals... and battles cancer?

Chance isn’t your typical performer. He’s also a remarkable human being who embodies some of the qualities that make us more creative, generous, and resilient.

And he’s used his talents and passions to entertain people — many of them children in hospitals dealing with situations not so different from his own — while also making a difference in the world. Take a look at this clip from NBC in Dallas on how he has kept smiling through his tough bout with cancer.

He’s overcome adversity, dealing with a rare form of cancer, with courage and humour.

“Last year I got diagnosed with thyroid cancer, so now I have turned from... the one that delivers the smiles to the ones that are needing the smiles. When one clown is down, the other clowns gather ‘round.”

Reading his posts of social media, it’s clear he’s has touched the lives of many people with his kindness and generosity, donating to various causes and supporting his friends and family.

Often, his bursts of positivity, energy and enthusiasm in the posts he’s shared on Facebook may look like a ransom note ;) but captivate the reader with support and love.

They may be challenging to read but they always make me smile.

But Chance isn’t just an inspiring individual. As a clown — particularly one of the Shriners legendary clowns — he has a lot to teach us about how to live and work better. Clowns aren’t just funny, they’re open, extraverted, artistic, enterprising, and humourous... all some of the traits that Chance has shown. And the same things that can help us become more original, influential, and happy.

Here are a few of the lessons I’ve learned from Ocho the Clown

Be open.

Clowns are curious, imaginative, creative, and willing to push themselves to the brink as they express themselves. These are all ways we can be more innovative, and find more novel and useful solutions to problems: a true growth mindset.

Cultivate a sense of humour.

Clowns are masters of physical comedy, satire, parody, and absurdity. All words I’d use to describe Ocho. ;) And Chance uses his gift of humour to make people laugh, which relieves stress, improves our mood, health, and well being.

Chance's cancer is rare and aggressive, and spread to stage IV.

Be present.

It takes a lot of energy to be attentive, empathetic, and responsive. Clowns are fully engaged, living in the moment as they tune into the emotions and needs of others, then adopting & adapting their actions. The result? Deeper connections, care and compassion.

Clowns are artistic, enterprising, natural leaders who generate enthusiasm and energy in their audiences. They’re confident, ambitious, and adventurous spirits who give unconditionally, staying longer than initially intended, leaving ‘em laughing.

His “8 miles of smiles” coins are in the pockets of people across the country, and remind us that?you can make that connection no matter where you are.

Epilogue

So, the next time you see a clown performing on the street, at a party, or in a hospital, don’t just laugh. Pay attention and watch what they do and how they do it.

You may be surprised by how much you can learn from them. Literally.

And if you want to support one of the most amazing and generous clowns who (as one of the #Shriners ) has given so much to organizations like Shriners Children's , please consider donating to Chance’s GoFundMe campaign. He deserves all the love and help he can get: Fundraiser for Chance Noble by Norman Stuart : Chance Noble (OCHO The Clown) or through tax deductible donations via the Saving Lives Assisting People organization (theslapmovement.org) .