I am honored to share that I have been selected to speak at the TEDxBayRidgeWomen on December 15th!
It has been a journey to be sure. And it started with saying out loud one day, "I have a message, and I'd like to be on a big stage." At the time, I didn't know what that meant. I also didn't know what that was going to look like. It sounded like a child's fantasy. Dream on and good luck, and don't tell anyone. Keep this desire a secret. They might laugh and think, yeah right.
I knew I wanted to share my message from a big stage, and I didn't know exactly what it was going to look like or how I was going to do it.
However, in my experience with other things that I have achieved, it started with having an idea and saying it out loud. And the journey started to unfold. The right people came onto my path that led me to Tricia Brouk, an award-winning Writer, Director, Choreographer, TEDx Producer. The minute I met her, over two years ago, I knew I wanted to work with her as a speaking coach. It took a year but last year, in the Spring of 2018, I signed up for her Speaker Salon and did my first Big Talk on stage, ever.
I have done lots of speaking over the years, corporate presentations with powerpoints, stand-up training, introductions for guest speakers, and things like that. As well as extemporaneous talks. The Big Talk, for me, was about having an idea worth spreading, a TEDx worthy talk. I spoke about how my greatest losses -- the loss of my mother and the hearing in my left ear -- were my greatest gifts. And by saying what is real, we connect with others.
Honestly, I have never been more terrified of speaking because the talk was memorized. And it was in front of people. I had never done anything like that before in my life. Not like that. And it was very personal, from the heart.
Not only did I survive, but I shared my talk on social media -- also terrifying.
What happened next was the magic of taking a big stage. It touched many people in my life and beyond, and started conversations as far away as in the mountains of Spain during my summer vacation! That's the power of sharing your message from a big stage.
Since my first talk, I have done a Big Talk at the Fearless Women Summit in NYC in March of this year about peace through the art and science of Feng Shui, the Spring 2019 Speaker Salong about re-organizing our homes and conversations for a life of peace, and once again for the Fall 2019 Speaker Salon, where I am about to get on the stage and talk about Women, Aging and Visibility.
I have made so many mistakes along the way, including freezing on stage and visibly forgetting lines. And literally walking off stage when the audience applauded to support me. I thought they wanted me to exit, but no, they were cheering me on and I finished and felt great!
I still have trouble looking at my videos, and it takes me ages to share them with anyone. I have such a strong emotional response to seeing myself on video. But slowly and surely, I am moving through all of that. Freezing on stage? It was my greatest fear, and I survived. Each fall has increased my confidence and comfort on the stage, and dare I say as nervous as I get I like it? By having the fear and doing it anyway, I have stepped into my power.
But best of all? I have found that being on a bigger stage, I have the opportunity to have greater visibility and reach when sharing an idea worth spreading. I will make a difference in the world and create peace by transforming spaces, conversations, and thinking, and helping people step into their power and greatness.
It is the journey and our story along the way. Whatever that is for you, I invite you to step onto your big stage, whatever size it may be. You have a powerful voice, and once you share it with the world, magic happens. It's all right here.
This event has now ended, but I invite you to stay tuned for future events by subscribing to my newsletter.
If you are interested in tickets to the TEDxBayRidgeWomen, Click HERE. I would love to see you there!
With love and blessings, Kate
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