It’s been a week since my class with Liz Gilbert at Kripalu, and I’m still digesting the lessons I learned (stay tuned). Watching her hold an audience spellbound reminded me of my first high school speaking gig in 2015. It was a learning experience with a few highs and more lows. I believe that there's a lesson in every challenge. The trick is to find the lesson instead of staying in your story about the circumstances.
The circumstance in 2014 was that only one girl showed up for my talk, which was uncomfortable for the girl, the school that hosted, and for me and my team. I could have canceled (because I made it about how valuable my time was), or I could roll with it and learn the lesson. I chose the latter.
So, I had an audience of one brave soul who paid attention and participated in every one of my exercises like a trooper. Even with the technical difficulties of handouts that weren't properly formatted, and videos that wouldn't play both audio and visual (it turns out that the presentation is more effective when you can both see AND hear it), we powered through.
Given all these difficulties, I could have let the gremlins take control: “I’m not good enough; the school didn't think I was important enough to publicize the talk more”, and so on and on. But I know this message isn't about me; it's about the Power of the Pride and teaching girls to use their girl power for good. I'm only here to be the best microphone for that message.
If I do my homework and practice self-care to protect my mojo, my only job is to show up and project the message. The microphone doesn't have to be shiny and perfect if the message is compelling enough. And this message of using your girl power for good is a game changer. It can save girls some heartache in high school and set them up for a lifetime of success. When it's delivered clearly, it will change the lives of the audience as well as the speaker…it already has.
I could see the hope on that brave girl's face when she glimpsed a life where the Mean Girls don’t count. A life where they are just an annoyance, like a 2-year-old throwing a tantrum. The Mean Girls aren't part of her Pride, so what they do or don't do is meaningless. If she surrounds herself with her people, listens to the voice of her Inner Guide, and honors her lioness power, then the rest is scenery.
And she got that, or at least what she needed, because she looked relaxed and happy at the end of the talk. My lesson that day was the same as the one from Kripalu: it's really not about my little ego, it’s about my heart and my message.
XO
Terri
