I went to Blogelevated hoping to meet bloggers (and I did) and hoping to connect with brands, (OOOOH how I did!) but I did not expect to go to Blogelevated and walk, err ROLL away, knowing exactly what my mission will be over the next 12 months.
When I was first paralyzed, I planned to write a book. It had a catch name and everything. While I was busy making these fantastic plans, life happened. It really, trul I never wrote the book. I started a website way back when. It’s so far back that even the way back time machine can’t find it. Seriously, 1999. I eventually moved on to keeping a journal on message boards. I’d post about wedding ramblings and eventually pregnancy ramblings and people would comment. I’d comment back. We’d have wonderful conversation. It was around the time I had my son that I found the blogging platform and it took a few years before I started using it. I eventually transferred all my old message board posts so I really can’t even go back and figure it out.
This has all been an easier way to tell my story continuously, but for the last 2-3 years it hasn’t quite been enough. I want to reach more people. I want to share my story with everyone. Okay, let’s back up. I don’t want to tell my story exactly, but I want to reach more people so they can see me live my story. I want them to see me live my dreams. I want others to see that I made the choice to LIVE and to live fully. I want that to be an encouragement for the days they want to just crawl under the covers and never come out. I’ve been there. I still go there.
I’m not going to tell people to have faith and rely on God for their strengths. That’s personal. That’s not my place. If that’s what helps them and motivates them after seeing me and hearing my story, great. That’s amazing and beautiful. Faith is a beautiful and wonderful thing. However, it’s very personal and I don’t think it’s always faith that gets us through. I think sometimes it’s our own strength. Strength we don’t know we have and that we didn’t necessarily get from a higher being. It’s not fair to tell the boy that doesn’t believe he can’t recover or be happy unless he has faith. That will only tear him down.
Okay, so what exactly do I want to focus on? I want to keep blogging and I want to keep meeting and connecting with every one of you and introducing you to amazing brand, of course. I am going to take it a step further. I am going to start speaking at conferences and Universities. I am going to stand sit on stage or snake my way through the crowd and tell every one my story. The best part? I already have my first one in the works! I’ll keep you posted!
How wonderful! Can’t wait to hear how it goes, if you speak as well as you write I’m sure you will inspire many!
And I love, absolutely love, what you have to say about faith here. I am not overly religious and I’ve gotten that from people before, they seem to think that I need God in order to be strong and happy, and despite my efforts I just have not found that kind of faith, but I have still found joy and strength in other ways. So thanks for getting that! Go preach it to the masses! 🙂
S.
Samantha´s last blog post ..Weekend Adventures: Berry Acres Pumpkin Patch
Thank you Samantha! I want people to know that’s not my mission and not my goal. My desire is to help people realize they can find their happy. They just have decide and work for it. And of course, no matter how impossible it may seem-never give up!
Yeah!!! I think this is a phenomenal thing!! Let me know if it is anything local I can come to support you at!!
April´s last blog post ..I’m alive…really I am
I will DEFINITELY let you know! It will always be great to see a friendly face in the crowd, especially one I’ve known as long as yours! 🙂 You were there in those VERY-VERY early days.
🙂
Sarah´s last blog post ..That One Moment
You know what I absolutely love about you? You have a great sense of humor and understanding about your disability. Because of this, your disability becomes a non-issue to those around you (not that it should be an issue…but I hope you get my drift). You don’t hide it, you just embrace it as you embrace the rest of your life.
You are inspiration on wheels! Can’t wait to hang out again!
XOXO
Elaine Mingus (@SuperRadWriter)´s last blog post ..Jesus Blogger Day 1 – Know Your Roots
XOXOX my friend!
Yea you! You present yourself very well which should make public speaking a natural for you. I so enjoyed visiting with you at BE and thank you for your Pinterest and PicMonkey tips. I played with PicMonkey today and found several good uses for it. I have you on my Blog Lovin’ list and look forward to staying in touch.
Linda´s last blog post ..Table to Table
Thank you and you are very welcome! It was a pleasure to meet you.
Hey, Priscilla! It is awesome that you already have your first speaking gig lined up! Can’t wait to read about it =)
Addie´s last blog post ..Blog Elevated Restored My Faith in Humanity