My Passion Took the Stage Again
For a year and a half, things have been radically different in our world.
Everything shut down, we got used to wearing masks, staying inside, and we lived with this consistent fear of the unknown. Not knowing when things would be safe, when we could see and hug our friends and loved ones, or when we could just step back into the world that we were used to.
I got that chance last week……and it was amazing.
I was honored to travel to Las Vegas to present at the Meeting Professionals International WEC event as a featured keynote speaker. This hit several feels for me:
My first in-person presentation in a year and a half
The largest stage and crowd I have ever spoken in front of (both in-person and virtual)
I was humbled by my placement in the marketing with a few shocking names (Usher, Penn & Teller, Voices of Service, Michael J. Bush, etc.)
While I was taken aback by the sheer size of the room and the amazing production (thank you Freeman, Caesar’s, and MPI!) one thing stuck out as the most critical piece.
In-person eye-to-eye contact with my audience.
As a Highly Sensitive Person, I am fueled by the energy of others. I felt this as a national touring DJ, and even more so as a keynote speaker. My ability to absorb and feel the energy of a room or a person is something I’ve always cherished as a blessing. With over 1,300 people in attendance, all of them emerging from the depths of the pandemic, we were all ready for it. The entire conference was buzzing with happiness, excitement, and hope.
I felt every ounce of that as I stepped onto the stage.
But it wasn’t just the stage. It was the hallway conversations, the social networking events, the Masterclass I held…..all of it. It was so intoxicating that I almost felt an energy hangover when I got home because being around the amazing people of MPI reminded me of what it was like to talk, interact, laugh, hug, smile, and just connect with other people in a way that I didn’t realize I had missed to the extreme level that I realized.
Even as I type this, I had to pause to catch my breath because it was just everything.
What struck me even more is that I sensed a vulnerability amongst people that they just wanted to feel safe again, to feel connected again, and to feel the level of happiness that they missed again. We all should be thankful right here, right now. Thankful that we’re still here, thankful that things are moving in the right direction, and thankful that we have the ability to connect again.
As I gathered cards, made plans to speak at other events and conferences, I sat back and looked at all of the cities that I’ll be visiting in the next 12 months. A smile that almost hurts has hit my face more than once this week thinking about being around these amazing people again.
Even as wordy as I tend to be, I can’t find all or the right ones to describe what this all felt like. But what I will say is that I missed you all so much.
I am so excited to see you all very soon.
Be good and stay safe until we meet again.
