Standing up

I was given an opportunity this week – one that both excited and terrified me. Our Women’s Ministry was holding a health conference – focused on the acronym SWEAT – She Will Endure All Things.  Topics ranged from Meditation to Stretching and the main speakers discussed Passion and Perseverance. There was even a full-on exercise session with women of all ages jumping around with work-out bands. In this sea of experienced professionals, what was my portion? To bring the humor (not that it was needed after listening to some of the speakers!  They did pretty well on their own!)

I love writing humor. I love throwing out one-liners…much to the chagrin of my boss. (I’ve been banned from any “humor” on national calls.) I have never tried stand-up before. It would surprise most people that know me that I’m typically not the girl seeking the spotlight. I like quietly sitting in the back just throwing out the comments under my breath and getting the people around to laugh. This was throwing out my comments to 300+ women sitting next to me. It was a bit intimidating…but still intriguing.

The speaker immediately before me was not speaking…she was jumping and pumping her very incredibly toned arms to some fast-paced music and getting 300+ women up and out of their seats. I opted to not join in at full bore since I assumed I would need to be breathing when the mic was handed off. Instead, I grabbed Gia, our resident meditation expert, and we prayed. We prayed that the women would be able to identify with the humor and walk out feeling a little more like all those crazy thoughts that we have are exceedingly normal. And then I walked up to the podium.  Well, actually, I carried the podium with me with the help of the MC. I wasn’t starting without a secure place for my notes!

My entire talk took less than ten minutes. As soon as the laughter began, I felt very much at home. It was just like sitting in the seats, and throwing out comments to my friends around me…just that I hadn’t met all of them yet! The audience response actually put me on a bit of a high – they more they laughed, the easier it became. Someone, please tell me…Did I actually turn around, and stick my rear out when saying “At 50, we’ve accepted our butt looks big in leggings…and we don’t care!”  I’m kind of hoping that’s just some odd memory that got mixed in. I did go to a Jimmy Buffet concert afterward and am pretty sure I inhaled some pretty odd smelling air there.

All in all…it was a blast. My prayer was answered. I had several women walk up and said..”Oh my gosh…everything you were saying was SOOOOOO true!” The women who reached out to me afterward seemed to feel more normal…more understood…and less judged. The goal was met and my belief was reinforced that when it isn’t about us, but about what our talents can bring others, God seems to bless the effort. Texts were going back and forth for the remainder of the day thanking each of us for our participation and each of us encouraging each other for our parts.

As stated before, the night ended with Jimmy Buffet, and the place was packed. We were on the grass with a large group on blankets. We were separated from one couple and two of us set out to find them. This led to me having to send out a “Sorry ladies…the “Meet me at the Bud Light sign” was not for you…but great job on the conference!” Nothing like ending the night with yet another misadventure…and more writing material!