A New Calling: When Our Purpose Is to Lift, Not to Judge

For years, I believed comedy was my calling or maybe professional football. My material was about silly observations; it was rooted in the harsh truths I saw in the world. As a comedian, I thought my job was to peel back the layers of polite society and expose the raw, uncomfortable realities that lay beneath. All through high school I would write jokes in a competition notebook My jokes were often sharp, cutting, and, as the saying goes, "90 percent truth and 10 percent lie." I figured if a joke made people laugh, it was a success, no matter how much it stung. But in a world already full of pain, I’m starting to realize that laughter shouldn’t come at the expense of kindness.

My Junior year at Lexington Pictured here for all county all conference.

The comedy world is a brutal place. You’re one of millions of voices, all competing for the same stage, the same laugh, the same moment of recognition. Many of them are funnier than me, smarter than me, and more charismatic than me. It's a humbling reality that forces you to question your craft and your purpose. But in this constant struggle for success, I've come to a bigger realization: perhaps my purpose isn't to be the funniest person in the room. Perhaps it’s to be the most human.

These days, people don't need another reason to feel small. They need to be uplifted. They need a kind word, a helping hand, and a genuine smile. It’s a simple shift in perspective, but it feels like a monumental change in my own life. I’m learning that being nice, even when it feels like it might kill you, is more rewarding than a standing ovation. It’s about being professional, even when someone has wronged you, and handling business with grace and composure. This is life, and it’s a lesson that hits harder every day.

We are living in a time when tomorrow is promised to no one. One moment, someone is here; the next, they are a memory. This fragile reality forces us to look at the bigger picture. We have to stop focusing on who's up and who's down and start paying attention to what truly matters—the state of our local government, the direction of our national policies, our children and the decisions being made in Congress. These are the things that affect our collective future, and they demand our attention.

My first comedy headshot I had ever taken

I've had to accept that not everyone is rooting for me. When you’re trying to build a different life than the one you lived 10 or 15 years ago, some people will test you. They will try to pull you back into the person you used to be. But the truth is, their lack of support is not the point, you have to face adversity; it’s not chess or checkers, it’s called realization. We are living in a time and age where we have to reach down and pick each other up. The world is too heavy to carry alone. We have a shared responsibility to lift others, to offer encouragement, and to build a community based on support, not competition. My goal here at Davidson Local is simple, to get involved in my community. It’s the right thing to do. I see people in the community every day that might need a few words of encouragement or just a hug. I get it. I just want people to know that I am everyday people.

Wedding Day as the best man for my best friend Tony Clodfelter

I’ve learned a powerful lesson from my years of hustling and striving. The little guy you stepped on to get to the top is the same person you’re going to run into on your way back down. Life has a funny way of bringing us full circle. My new mission isn't to make people laugh with harsh jokes, but to make them feel seen, heard, and valued. My new punchline is simple: uplift someone. In a world craving connection, that’s the truest comedy of all.

Best,

Thomas Martin Sr