At the encouragement of a friend, I presented at this week’s IGNITE Bend event. IGNITE events are produced in places like Helsinki, Paris and New York City. Presenters get 5 minutes and 20 slides, which automatically advance every 15 seconds. The tagline is, “Enlighten us, but make it quick.”
And so I applied to be one of the speakers. Because I didn’t want to.
Photo credit: Amy Turner
The first speaker, who was also the emcee, stayed on stage after warming up the crowd. He delivered a fast-paced, loud speech with a rude-and-crude-style humor that elicited much laughter and applause.
“Uh-oh. This isn’t the right venue,” said the girl whose presentation was entitled: “What if you could manage adversity with grace and good humor?”
But it turned out to be a tremendously fun event. And one of the aspects I enjoyed most was meeting fellow presenters. Sam, the high school student who spoke on how to build a solar car; Jason, new to Bend with his family, presented on the importance of connection; and Amy, a single mom and businesswoman, talked about taking intentional pauses.
There was the informative, the inspirational, the educational.
I thanked my friend afterward for pushing encouraging me to apply for this opportunity. Because it ended up being part of my brave-making campaign.
A brave-making campaign comes from hard places that steal our courage and hope. It’s a campaign that takes on opportunities and adventures to make us more courageous, despite losses and setbacks; it’s part of living forward.
In my case, a brave-making campaign is:
1. Going places I’ve never gone without Hubby, like hiking some of our favorite trails. Alone.
2. Visiting places/doing things Hubby and I talked about visiting/doing before we ran out of time. Such as the walking tour in Switzerland last fall.
3. Signing up for experiences that scare me, hence, IGNITE Bend.
A brave-making campaign is designed to route us away from ease and security into places of discomfort. Until those places become more comfortable, and fear loses its advantage over us.
Consider this quote from Erin Hanson, a young writer from Australia:
There is freedom waiting for you on the breezes of the sky, and you ask, ‘What if I fall?’ Oh but my darling, what if you fly?
Photo credit: IntoTheGlimmer.com
This quote caught my eye because it was Hubby and me.
Hubby — my careful, analytical, think-all-things-through husband who balanced my ultra-optimisticness — used to ask things like, “What if you can’t raise enough funds for the students to travel to Europe?”
Me: “But, honey, what if we can?” (And we did. Four years in a row, if you also throw in the Australia trip.)
Hubby: “What if you lose a student along the way?” (He never actually asked this question, but you get the idea.)
Me: “But what if I don’t?”
Truth be known, I’m glad Hubby was cautious by nature. We were a good balance for each other and I truly valued his wisdom.
When my adult children first encouraged me to take an early retirement to continue blogging, write a second book and get back into speaking, I wasn’t excited about the speaking part. Hubby and I had always presented tag-team style. He made it fun with his dry sense of humor.
“What if they don’t understand/laugh/clap?” I asked myself at the thought of speaking on my own.
“But what if they do?” I could almost hear Hubby say in response. Touché.
So, my next brave-making venture: Hubby and I talked about visiting the historic town of Joseph—population 1000+ on a good day—in the farthest northeast corner of Oregon. One of those things we didn’t get around to doing.
I’ve reserved a room in a bed-and-breakfast there on my way to Idaho for Thanksgiving. (Actually, Joseph isn’t really on the way to anywhere; I’m going to have to backtrack to get to Idaho.)
Photo credit: JosephOregon.com
Also on my brave-making list: A weekend at the Oregon coast. And maybe applying for a TedX Talk.
This I know from experience: The more I choose not-so-comfortable endeavors, the more courageous I become. And with our limited number of days on earth — but with courage — imagine what we can accomplish.
What’s on your brave-making list?
P.S. If you found this post helpful, please share, tweet or pin!
Peggy Carey
You are so creative and awesome. Thank you for dedicating so much energy to this site. It is inspiring and helpful.
Love, Peggy
Marlys Johnson
Peggy, you are high on my list of brave women who have lost something of incredible value and have chosen to continue living forward. Love to you.
Garrett Konrad
Great post. I had never heard of IGNITE before. What a challenge! That is cool that you did it! It’s also cool that it was such a diverse group of presenters to share and network with.
Marlys Johnson
Garrett – Check out the IGNITE event in Sacramento – http://www.ignitetalks.io/ignite-sacramento. This would be a great experience for you! Other 5-minute presentations at the Bend event were: “Top 5 Reasons every Oregonian needs an Electric Car”, “Surviving Fundraising: A Tactical Approach”, “The Changing Face of Education”, and “I’d lay down in traffic for you, but hang on – I’m running late” (about efficiency and working motherhood) … so, the sky’s the limit as far as topic. Go for it!
Eileen
You always make me smile and know I do anything if I try and push ahead. Today is a good day. Love
Marlys Johnson
Glad today is a good day, Eileen. Keep pushing ahead! Love to you.
Lynn Hare
Marlys, I am so proud of you for jumping in the deep end. You amaze me! I’m sure the other speakers were excited to meet YOU. Your message of intentional relationships inspires me. Where can we get a recording of your presentation? My brave-making list includes expanding my speaking horizons in order to invite people to new realms of redemption found in self-forgiveness.
Marlys Johnson
I love your brave-making item, Lynn. You have so much to offer. (I think IGNITE Bend is planning to post the presentations to their website. I’ll keep an eye out.)
Kristi
Great job being brave, Marlys!
I wish I had made it to IGNITE Bend – it would have been fun to see your talk!
Marlys Johnson
Thanks, Kristi! It would have been great seeing your face in the audience, hugging your neck. (Ironically, I spoke to first year nursing students at COCC yesterday. And compared to IGNITE Bend, it was easy and relaxing and enjoyable. I don’t know why I had to make myself do IGNITE Bend. But so glad I did.)
Debbie Andrade
Marlys,
I enjoy reading your adventures. They are so inspirational. Thank you for sharing your life experiences. I look forward to reading more. Love you!
Marlys Johnson
Thank you for your encouraging words, Debbie. Miss you and love you!