People keep telling me, reading my blog posts, and sometimes my Facebook page, that I'm such an inspiration.
I have even been invited.... this blows my mind and scares me to death.... to give a talk to the annual meeting of the Department of Natural Resources State Secretaries' meeting next week. A motivational talk. About what has interested, or inspired, or motivated, or compelled, me to do the "amazing things I've done."
???????
What, indeed? I guess, since so many people have said they find my aspirations and accomplishments inspiring..... they must be.
So what has inspired me? Or interested, or motivated, or compelled me, to undertake and usually achieve the things people seem to be finding so inspiring?
Well..... because they're there. To see if I can do it. To see if I can do it again. To see if I can do it better, or stronger, or without feeling so awful during or after. To see if there's a better way to do it. Better than I've done it before, or better than I've heard or read of it being done. Better meaning, without the difficulties someone else had. Or, maybe with the same difficulties, but knowing about them ahead of time and being prepared to deal with them.
Sigh...... I don't know what to say in this talk. I kind of feel like all I've done is what the Nike slogan says: Just do it.
I like what Yoda says, too: "Do, or do not; there is no try."
I can't see myself standing there at the annual meeting of a statewide group saying, "Look at me, I've done all these things, am I inspiring or what?"
Good grief. Help.
5 comments:
Ah...
This is the time to pull out the old standby...
If I can do it YOU can do it!!!
First of all, congrats on the invitation! I think it's always an honor to be invited to give talks like that. When I give talks, I usually first do some research on who my audience is so what I say is not just a generic talk about what I've done, why, etc. I like to involve the audience by finding common ground with them and using examples and things they know about or can relate to. Not really sure what DNR is about but sounds like maybe your AT adventure would be something they'd be most interested in hearing about?
Wow!!! Incredible honor, Ellie.
You have to admit not many people, let alone "grownups", let alone a woman, have done some of the things you have done.
You manage to articulate the feelings that accompany the deeds as well.
I think you are a good spokesman for the minority who stretch themselves and get out and try something. Even something audacious.
The honest truth is that the deciding to try, or do, since there is truly no try, is the hard part.
I'm sure we'll hear that it went well.
Steve
You should feel honored and proud of all your accomplishments. While we surround ourselves with women who do like things, I think we are also unaware of how many women out there have no confidence in themselves and will never attempt the things we take for granted. You can inspire anyone, but you can't make them do it. They have to want to.
Waiting to hear how you're doing.
How was the speech???
Been thinking about you.
PS, heehee word verification for this comment is "rester". So, are you well rested up?
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