Being selected as a TEDx presenter is the start of the journey, and it will be a demanding one. 

Early in 2007 I began another demanding journey…I decided to take a Himalayan pilgrimage with my yoga studio that fall. I journaled and  ​​blogged my preparations, the experience itself, and my return. That process kept me focused, and allowed me to track my progress in what became physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual preparation. 

This journey is both the same and different. I don’t know yet what energies will be called on; nor do I know everything that I will need to do to prepare. Last week I had my first working session with my TEDx coach. I felt good about the draft I had prepared; she did too. And, as we talked and she got to know me better, numerous thoughts came up about how to improve on it. Sometimes it was something that I said, such as that “I work with my clients to turn their gremlins into gurus.” Other times it was parts of my story that she felt should be built into my presentation, such as the story of how I first met Brandon, how I took him in when he became homeless, and how I have now adopted him. 

​​We meet again next week, and by then there will be another draft. I will be keeping a quote from my grandfather at the top of the page. “It’s not done when you can’t put anymore in. It’s done when you can’t take anymore out.” Draft 1 was neatly packaged into three sections, and took fourteen minutes to present; my maximum time allowed is 15. So some things will go into the next version, other things will come out, and some will be moved around. 

Let’s see how version 2 resonates. Preparations are underway. ​​