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Monday, November 29, 2010

I want a standing ovation!

Do you ever have those moments in life, when you not only step outside of the box you are in - the one that you put yourself in - but take a GIANT leap?  Does it ever feel like you have no say in the manner?  It's almost as if you were nudged from behind & thrust into the unknown by some force of nature...

Then you breathe.  (inhale, exhale)

And you realize that the air is fresh, clean and energizing out there.  out Here.  Starting this blog is one of these moments.

This has happened to me before.  This exhilerating, yet totally terrifying, feeling I get when I'm doing something that I wouldn't normally do.  I'm thinking of that time in Minneapolis.

I was attending a conference on "Inspiring the youth of today."  The key note speaker talked about reclaiming your voice - of asking for what you want.  He said that if at some point during the conference you decided you just needed a little boost - a little pick-me-up - all you had to do was exclaim at the top of your lungs, "I want a standing ovation!"  Then everyone in that conference was to stop what they were doing, stand up, turn to you, clap, and holler.

It didn't matter if you were walking the halls, in a session, or at lunch.  What a crazy concept.

Being the shy girl that I am, I thought, "Who am I to draw that kind of attention to myself?!  What would that be like?"  Really.

My moment came after the conference had closed.  I was on my way to the Mall of America to taste my first Krispy Kreme donut.  (At the time, we didn't have them in Canada!)  I was sitting in the middle, turny section of a double-length bus, when all of a sudden I was pulled from my seat by some unknown force and I yelled, "I want a standing ovation!!"

The reaction of others isn't the point of my story.  But yes, they applauded and hooped and hollered!  (Although I'm sure there were plenty of random, non-conference goers on that bus that wondered what kind of lunatic I was.)

But my point is this, people.  In that moment, I did something so "out of character" for me that it blew my mind.

I thought to myself: Who are you, Kate?  Who ARE you?

Now, to say that my life changed dramatically after that day would be a lie.  But something changed.  A tiny, little seed of change was planted that day.  And I smiled.

It's scary when we feel like we're being pushed from behind, when we've lost control.  When we're being pulled into another version of reality for ourselves.  But I'm starting to realize that it's ok.  Change is allowed.  Change is good.

So here I am, folks.  I hope you'll join me from time to time on this journey, as I share a little from The Studio and a little bit of me.  And sure, I'll take the standing ovation.

13 comments:

  1. Yay! *Standing* and *cheering* and *much excited clapping*

    I love your voice. And I love that you are sharing that voice and perspective and insight with us.

    Thank you.

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  2. Standing up clapping wildly!
    I love this post Kate!

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  3. i am standing right along side Lori and Viv.....hands overhead clapping away!!!!!

    YOU ROCK!!!!!!

    so happy you are doing this.....loving you!

    ox
    k

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  4. Yay Kate! As a fellow "quiet, shy one" I completely get how hard it is to take that first step, but you did it because what you have to say is important! You leapt into your dream and into this space and I am standing along side Lori and Viv and Kolleen, cheering you on, grinning ear to ear and feeling so happy for you!

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  5. Woo-hoo! Standing and cheering and clapping!

    After reading your first (first?! really?! you haven't done this before!) post, I cannot wait to see what comes next.

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  6. I'm standing and cheering with all the rest, Kate! Congratulations on taking these first brave steps on your journey.

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  7. looks like some sort of line dance, standing shoulder to shoulder with people who think you hung the moon, clapping, foot stamping, whooping and hollering with appreciation for the thing you just did. the out of the box thing, the BLOG. YAY for K8. brave beautiful k8. i love this post!!! good on you!.oh, and i love you

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  8. Yay!!! I love seeing you here. I can wait to read more. Love you!

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  9. So happy you have taken this step. Clapping madly! If I could whistle loudly I would!

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  10. Ha - you guys all beat me over here and took the words right out of my mouth! Sooooo happy for you, Kate!! The first step is the hardest and you did it. Now you get to see what a great community this is and feel the love and support that will surround you.... You won't be sorry - it's a wonderful thing!!!

    Happy, happy and love to you, oh brave one!!

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  11. oh thanks everyone! you guys rock!

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  12. oh dear kate I am giving you a standing ovation in this very moment. I am so proud of you for taking the leap and starting this. I look forward to what you share with us here. Congratulations! You my dear are so very brave.

    Can you hear my clapping and hooting and hollering :)

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  13. I'm late to this party but couldn't NOT give you a standing ovation : ) I love your energy and can't wait to read more of what you have to say this year!

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