The hall where we were going to eat the first day was HUGE. So HUGE the energy fills you up, but too many tables to scan to find a familiar face or even new friends we had met and it leaves you linking…oh my lawrdy!
“There’s a table,” Kim said “Let’s go sit there!”
“Ok,” I smile and breath in deep summoning bravery to meet another new person.
We were trying to stretch out our comfort zones so we each sat on one side of her, not able to rely only on each other. We introduced ourselves. We made small talk. She was just finishing up her lunch and waiting for an appointment. Her gaze into the empty space in front of her told me her mind was somewhere else, preparing for what was to come. Soon two lovely women with big warm, smiles and a midwestern vibe sat next to us. Their smiles invited us into the conversation. It really was impossible not to talk to them. Then as quickly as they could share where they were from blogging worked it’s magic in just the way it it does unveiling that Kim, Dawn and Cathy were from exactly the same area, minutes away from each other to be exact.
“Can I sit here?” a voice comes from my left.
I look up to see young woman with a friendly and a laid back warmth.
“Sure” “Yes!” “Sit”, come from all the ladies at the table.
She sat.
We ate.
I checked to see what Kim was doing and smiled as she as she laughed and talked with the two women she had connected with.
“So how do you like BlogHer so far,”the young woman asked.
I told her about the two sessions I had been to, the energy and all the wonderful people we had met so far.
“What about you?” I asked hoping to learn more about her.
“I’m here representing a company, Find & Save. I don’t actually have a blog but after all these amazing stories I’ve heard here, it makes me want to start one,” she finishes with a smile and a long pause.
“Blogging is one of the most amazing things I have done. It has giving me a voice I never knew I had. It allowed me to meet and get to know the most fantastic woman. It’s incredible!”
“Oh I don’t know,” she answered looking down her food.
I pause and think maybe you overdid it. My passion is thick…or maybe just maybe that isn’t a look of no, but look I don’t know.
I smile at her and softly say, “You know you can be whoever you want online (and I shared my story). You can be and talk about whatever you want.”
“I don’t know,” she says.
“Start by writing about something simple… a trip to the park and then keep writing until you find your stories, your own voice.”.
We finish our food and it is time for Kim and me to leave.
My thoughts pause for a second…I wonder?! Should I?? So I take a deep breath and smile at her again, get up from my chair and walk over to her.
Kneeling down next to where she is sitting I look up to her and say, “Email me if you have any questions at all. How to get started, how to set up things, anything. I would love to help you with any questions you have. I mean it!” I smile again.
Taking the escalator down to the buses I smile at Kim.
“I’m ready. I’m going to do it! I was talking to that woman about starting a blog. It energizes me. It reminded me…again…. how much I love creating for others, talking to and working with someone until I am able to take their vision, mold it, bring the best out of them and make it oozz and shout who they are. I love it!!” I tell Kim (she listens, smiles and nods with a familiar duh! Laverne…I already knew that. Happy you could finally join me).
From that table of one a brand new confidence was found (I know…another…I can’t help it!). With a portfolio I am proud of, experience that makes me confident in what I can create, the nudge (who am I kidding it a full on shove) of several dear friends and that single conversation I am finally going to do it! I am going to open my very own Estys shop and really make my graphic designing a business. So with another reason to hold my head a little higher and my shoulders back a little stronger I am slowly working toward the goal of having the shop up and running by the beginning of the year.
Watch out Estys here comes Heck Awesome!!!!
There is more to come….
It has been too long since I have talked to strangers. As a matter of fact I realized the other day that I have now been blogging for over two and a half years now…wow…two…and…a half…years. I suppose that means I missed my anniversary six months ago…huh?!