While striving for success as a public speaker, I teeter on the delicate balance beam between coming off as "over-confident" and allowing my insecurities to show. Having a strong, deeply real desire to help people find their own path to self-acceptance, success in life, and true joy, I worry about exposing my personal weaknesses for fear that I'll be viewed as some sort of fraud, leaving people wondering who the heck I think I am trying to guide them to a happier place when I have so many bumps on my own path to fulfillment.
It brings to mind the time when I was a new wife; I attended the church my (now ex) husband had been attending since he was 19 years old. The pastor was incredibly charismatic, in both senses of the word. One of his tag lines was "follow me as I follow Christ" and many did. Unfortunately he walked a treacherous path that ultimately led to not only the destruction of the church, but his marriage, and several peoples spiritual walks. We must each walk our own path.
It's because of this experience that I never suggest anyone "follow my lead" but rather, I extend my hand to any and all who might choose to walk beside me for a while, and hopefully as we share what life has taught us, we part ways having learned something positive. After all, we're on this crazy ride called life together, aren't we? Being the one who stands (or in my case, sits) in front of people and talks about these things, doesn't mean I'm better at life...it means I'm someone who feels comfortable sharing what I've learned (often the hard way) with others, in hopes that they might not fall into a hole I've gotten stuck in already, and thankfully managed to climb out of.
How far we travel in life matters far less than those we meet along the way, and unless it's God, or a Higher Power, we should never put anyone on a pedestal. Gloria Steinem once said, "A pedestal is as much a prison as any small, confined space." I could not agree more.
12 comments:
Happy Saturday! I joined the Spotlight Blog Hop at Between the Lines and added YOUR fabulous blog to the link-up for everyone to find ... :) http://www.betweenthelines-kel.com/2010/08/spotlight-saturday-blog-hop-2.html?utm_source=feedburner
I LOVE your blog! Found you on Spotlight blog hop. I am now a follower :) Can't wait to read more.
Mary...I ♥ you so much! Finding you and Karen Mortensen are 2 of the best rewards I've received for blogging! Thank you. :)
Ashlee...Thank You!! I look forward to knowing you better and running into one another in the blogosphere! LOL
Hi there, following you from Spotlight Blog Hop. Very nice blog you have here. Looks very inviting.
Hope you'll pay me a visit sometime. I love new followers and friends. Thanks.
Marie The Things We Find Inside
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I've so enjoyed reading about you!!
I'm your newest follower and I'll be back!!
I love this. I think it's great that you are a public speaker. You're right; and being a public speaker doesn't mean you should be expected to be better at life than anyone else, either! I love that you know this. I always thought it would be fun to be a public speaker; I know I would love it. Just imagining myself doing it I can see where those concerns of yours would surely creep in. But being an avid listener to public speakers, I also know that it is the humble confessions... the "this is how I overcome" or "this is what I learned from this" moments that got me the most. Everyone has strengths, and everyone has weaknesses; and we can learn from it all! :D Thanks for sharing and don't worry that you aren't 'secure' in every area of life; I don't know a single person who is!
Corine :D
Hi Michele!
I have just discovered your blog and I love it. I just became your newest follower. Your blog has such a nice feeling here and your posts are very inspiring. I look forward to getting to know you. Have a wonderful Sunday, Candace
Michele,
I understand and agree with you. Please know how much we appreciate you taking the time most days to express reminiscent and inspirational thoughts that led you to a greater understanding about a particular subject – and now sharing those lessons with us.
I truly believe that this is one of the reasons we are here on this earth – to grab hold of unfolding elements towards deeper understanding and then actually learn and grow from it. You are taking it to the next level by trying to help others to learn from your personal life wisdom as well.
Please accept my sincere appreciation for sharing what is inside of you to all of us on the outside. It matters Michele – thank-you!!!
Love you always …
Do I have the best sister in the world, or what? ♥
"DLC" is my sister, who was often my "mother" when we were growing up, and is my best friend as well. She's one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out.
I love the positive and inspiring nature of your posts. What a treat to read your blog. I've been here before and today I'm visiting from the Lady Blogger's Tea Party. Now a follower :-)
I too strugle with the fear that others will see my bumbs. But, I have to live my own life and put those fears aside for everyone has flaws and are not perfect including me. Your page is inspiring and will come for more! Loved this post. Came upon you by the Tea Party, I love those tea parties for they redirect me to some interenting and helpful blogs like yours.
Excellent point! We are not supposed to follow anyone blindly - that's why we have our own mind and free will. This was a good point. JUST BE YOURSELF! Those who are supposed to learn from you will; those who don't? Nothing you could do or say would help them anyway.
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