On Speaking, Playing, Weeping, & Weaving…
Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 12:16 PM by Kayce Stevens Hughlett
Just like the beetle only knows how to be a beetle or the ladybug who is resplendent with her distinct spots can be nothing else, I can only offer who I am.
~ As I Lay Pondering, October 11
enthusiastic audience :)Wow! I am super-charged and overjoyed from my presentation experience at Seattle University’s Search for Meaning festival on Saturday. For me, speaking to a welcoming group is like an organic, holistic, mood-altering drug that helps me slip out of all I think I should be and step into who I fully am.
“A weaver.” That’s what my friend and colleague, Betsey Beckman called me. A weaver of stories – taking the contents of the day, the presence of the audience, As I Lay Pondering’s history, my story, and the themes of play and pondering and weaving them all together to create an experience of delight, warmth, and depth. Sinking in, bearing witness to, and experiencing all the spokes in the wheel that is our lives.
Often when we think of play or joy we hear, “Happy, happy, happy.” But, grief is also a component of joy… just as joy, laughter, and release are components of grief. To feel all sides of the spectrum is to be fully alive.
Before my talk I started to panic a little. First, that no one would show up and then with the fear that I would fail or disappoint inside a capacity-filled room. I did laps around Sullivan Hall to expel my excess energy and then I stopped to pause, take a few deep breaths, and ground myself. Everything was going to be fine. After all, I had my anchor statement given to me in the middle of the night…
The art of pondering is not going anywhere in particular, but making the effort to get there.
…and then I misplaced it. How perfect! Standing in front of the room, I flipped through my notes (trying to keep panic at bay) until an audience member spotted it for me. Whew!
author in actionWith this anchor in tact, I began and allowed the words to flow freely from there. I listened to my heart. I connected with the audience. I free-floated. It was floating, not falling. Weaving, like the yarn on a loom with just the right amount of tension—not too taut and not loose or sloppy.
I played. I danced. I paused. I shared the joy of a carefree child and the sorrow of a grown woman. The movements were conducted by a power greater than I… And I was willing to step into the arena, to throw up my hands and say, “This is me. This is what I’ve got. This is my gift. Will you choose to accept it?”
How is your story weaving together? Do you have gifts you're hiding from the world? Is there a tiny step you could make today to ‘get there’?
Please let me know how I can support you! I have a few spaces available this season for individual coaching or in my signature on-line program, Live it to Give it.
Reader Comments (3)
i am so happy to hear your weaving magic was well received! It's so good being in the flow and blessing others in the process. Thank you.
Lucky audience - congrats! xo
Special thanks to two very special people - Hummingbird and Dianna W!! You are both great inspirations to me! xoxoxo