I stepped out of my comfort zone. Waaay out of my comfort zone. And I shared a big piece of myself. That might not seem like a bit deal; after all, I blog here (and many other places) and I have for years; I’ve shared lots! But this is different. This time, I shared in person.
I auditioned for the Listen To Your Mother show, which will be here in Oklahoma City on Sunday, May 5. LTYM gives a voice to motherhood and helps to support local charities that support mothers. I’d first heard of it last year through social media (so many of the amazing women I know participated in shows in their cities) and then I met a few ladies who participated and I was smitten; I wanted to find a way to be a part of this show.
When OKC was announced as a 2013 city, I sat down and started to write my submission. I had written and edited it in my head already, but this time I committed it to the computer. And held my breath and waited.
And when the call for submissions came out, I worried over my submission and read it again and edited it and worried some more. And then I sent it in. And held my breath and waited.
And when I got the email that said that I was chosen to come in to audition, I jumped up and down and may have done a little LMFAO Party-Rock-style dance before I worried over my submission and read it again and edited it and read it out loud and laughed at myself and cried a little bit and edited it more and read it to my husband and edited it some more.
And the day of the audition, I was shaking. Freaking out. Nervous. Seriously nervous. Seriously? Yes. I’ve been on TV! I’ve spoken in front of big groups of people! I’ve given briefings to high-ranking military officers! Me? Nervous?
Yes. Because this time I was talking about something very personal. Sharing. And what if nobody liked what I had to say?
So, I got ready. I eschewed the business-like attire I had originally selected in favor of something more me: comfy boots, a jean skirt & a T-shirt that reads “Motherhood is not for the Faint of Heart.” I put on my 4-leaf clover necklace and my lucky charm bracelet (because I’m nothing if not completely superstitious) and grabbed my papers and hit the road.
In the car, I asked the magic of the shuffle to give me a song to inspire me (like I said; superstitious!), something to let me know that it was going to be okay; that making myself vulnerable was the right choice and verification that this was an adventure I was meant to take.
And the shuffle delivered me Karen Carpenter. And she reminded me: “don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear; just sing! Sing a song!”
So that’s what I did. I let me be me. I sang my song. I shared a little bit of myself with the ladies of LTYM, and now? I hold my breath and wait.
Learn more about Listen To Your Mother at www.listentoyourmothershow.com/oklahomacity. The Oklahoma City LTYM show will benefit Infant Crisis Services, Inc. The cast of the Oklahoma City show will be revealed later this week.
