Update:  This was written two years ago   It is amazingly prescient as I sit here wanting to revive my blog.  

“I got nothing”.  That was how I opened a recent speech.  Seriously – I had nothing.

Let me put it into some context.  I attended a speech workshop.  I wanted some ideas for becoming a better speaker and along the way gleaning some gems for new topics.  Little did I know my mind would go completely blank and that that could be a good thing.

We started the day with our previously prepared speeches and mine was pretty good, I’d say.  The presenter called it “sweet”.  I’ve never ever been called sweet.  No idea what that meant.

Then we spent the next several hours learning new techniques.  Mainly techniques for connecting with an audience.  Good information.  I probably will figure out a way to use it – some time, some day.

Then it was practicum time.  We were given 20 minutes to prepare a four minute speech.  No problem, I can do this.  Except I couldn’t.

I drew a blank.  Oh I had a story or two but no way to weave them together and they had no point.  Yes I was being genuine and talking about how I really felt but I honestly had the feeling there was no there there.  There was no topic, no organization.  Nothing.

We gathered to hear each other’s speeches.  I still had nothing.  I am now looking for divine guidance.  Still nothing.

The first four speakers were outstanding.  I mean they were professional paid speakers.  They had wow.   I still had nothing.

Ah, the clock is now my friend.  The workshop is almost over.  I could get out of speaking.  Not only that, but now I had my answer – I am not a speaker and I don’t want to be.  I got clarity.  Oh, really?

I approached the presenter and told him that since we were running out of time, I would forgo my presentation.  After all, I have nothing.

He didn’t let me off the hook.  He told me that I would be the next speaker and I was to get on stage and talk about the fact that I had nothing.  He said “Talk about having nothing and what that feels like”.     “Even if for only one minute.”

I walked up the stairs to the stage, across the stage to the lectern with a huge grin and waved at the audience acting like a big deal celebrity keynote speaker.  The joke was on them, they would soon learn that I had nothing.

And that’s what I opened my speech with.  “I have nothing.”   Laughter.  “No, I really mean it, I have nothing.”  This time they believed me and looked at me with pity.  They were about to see what happens when a speaker draws a blank.

Except I didn’t.  I explained that my theme was starting over – how to reinvent yourself.  Then I shared a few of the stories I had planned to show how I had started over.  Stories told from the heart with real emotion for me.  I even told a story I had never told before – even to myself.  I was drawing them in.

All the time my mouth was moving, my brain was trying to figure out how to tie it together and come to a conclusion.  I was seeking divine guidance once again.  There must be conclusion, a lesson, here somewhere.

And come together it did.  I talked about that sometimes when you are starting over you have to go to an empty place.  A place of nothing. I realized that “I got nothing” was my way of opening myself up to new realizations.

They go it!  They really did.

I learned that sometimes nothing can become something.  That when you just let yourself trust, knowing it’s inside you all the time you will find your way.  You will find the next step.

So the challenge to you is to sometimes let yourself start with nothing.  Trust that something is there and believe in yourself.  Take a risk and step out on that stage.

Stay tuned.

Causes, campaigns, elections.  Everyone has an opinion.  Or do they?  I am dismayed at the number of people who seem to be anti having any opinions or at least think you should keep them to yourself.  Stay quiet. Keep your opinions to yourself.

“I don’t talk politics, you can’t change anyone’s mind.”

“Don’t bother to post your opinion on Facebook – No one cares.”  

I beg to differ.

I do believe we can and should shine a light.  We can make a difference. Whenever I feel that it’s no use, I remember an incident from my earlier years in which I am really glad someone had the nerve to confront me about something I had just said.

It was the early 60’s.  I was in college and John Kennedy was running for president.  We had several students who were active in politics and had display tables in the student union building.  As I was walking past a display table of campaign materials for JFK I made some uninformed sarcastic remark.  I don’t even remember what I said but it was a regurgitation of the, shall we say, low information folks that comprised my family and my neighbors.  I lived in a blue collar neighborhood where racism and religious intolerance was rampant.  My people were intolerant of different races, different nationalities, Jews, Catholics and about anything else that made for “us and them”.   I think my comment was a repeat of the neighborhood ladies’ gossip. The Kennedy’s were, after all Catholic.  Jackie Kennedy came from so-called “high society”.  This couple represented everything my family and the neighborhood ladies held in disdain.  I made a smart remark about how the campaign was keeping her hidden.

A nicely dressed, very polite young man approached me.  He was the kind of young man I was desperate to meet and impress.  Oh, yes, I had impressed him all right.  Impressed him with my ignorance.  In a charming, but authoritative manner he explained why I was wrong.  He politely pointed out that Mrs. Kennedy was pregnant with a high risk pregnancy and needed to rest and maintain her privacy.   The blood rushed to my head.  I was mortified.  He saw me as a stupid blonde freshman and I had proven the point.  Never again!

I resolved to become informed.  I followed the campaign, read news magazines and did all I could to no longer be the dumb blonde.  Not only did I learn to be more informed  but I also learned that just one person speaking out can make a difference.  That young man changed my life and changed my way of thinking.

I think of this often as I listen to folks I perceive to be ignorant.  Perhaps I can present information that might actually have impact.  Someone might actually listen.  I believe it can happen if we do it with respect.  I don’t have to get in the fray but I can educate.  Often when someone posts something I know has been clearly debunked I post the link to the Snopes review.  I joke about having a three strikes and your out Snopes rule.  I can’t do anything about the people who believe Snopes is run by somee vast conspiracy.  I know I probably don’t influence too many people to think differently but I do hope we start the dialog.  A respectful dialog.

Probably more important is what I call “preaching to the choir”.  I feel it is important to let others know that they are not alone especially when they have presented well reasoned opinions.  I will share their opinions and I am especially honored when they share mine.

Perhaps that will give that person the courage to confront a dumb blonde who has potential to learn.