Say What You Need to Say

As most of you know, I began this blog a few weeks ago. It was August 16^th, to be precise, during one of those “AHA” moments. The idea just popped up out of nowhere.

I am still giddy over it!

While the “look” of this page, (and we all know how important looking good is,) is still bare-bones, the content is getting better and better. As a matter of fact, this week I am pleased to introduce the first of many guest contributers! 

YAY for special appearances by mega-stars in Broadway musicals!

Setting the stage:

After making my list of who to invite, I zeroed in on precisely what I thought each person should write about. After all, I was inviting them because each is an expert in their field. One is an optometrist and sells highly sought after vintage eyewear frames. I figured they could write about all things retro. Retro chic, retro inspired, retro music…you get the picture. One person is in finance. Maybe they could write about personal finances. Woohoo! A modern day Suze Orman!

I even came up with a witty name for that particular post, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” I’m now thinking this is a particularly excellent game plan to follow.

I invited a very elite group of people to participate as contributors. That’s right, my friends. My friends are from all walks of life and all over the world. They have different backgrounds, beliefs, and educations. Some work from home, others have a 9 – 6er, 7er, or 8er. They all have strong values, and integrity. They never give up. They are amazing mega-stars. Each is hip in his/her own right.

I love them and I am proud of them. It is an honor and a privilege to call them my friends.

Within 5 days of sending out the invitations, I had answers from everyone. One “No” and all the rest were a “Yes!” We set up phone appointments to go over the details. Yeah, baby! We’re off and running now!

Developing the show:

I was so eager and happy when I called the first friend on my list. They were eager and happy to talk to me! (Or they faked it really well.) Many I haven’t spoken with in a long time. Some, I had never talked with at all. And so on, and so on, and so on. One by one, I called, and we shared our excitement.  It was magnificent!

I explained what the blog was about: anything, everything, nothing, love, life, honesty, being free, blah, blah, blah.

The first question everybody asked was “What should I write about?” In that moment, I saw that it wasn’t about what I wanted them to write. It wasn’t about me boxing them it. It was about me empowering them to write about something they are passionate about. A story written from their own heart. Something that resonates in their soul.

Suddenly, it didn’t matter to me what their subject matter was. If it meant something to them, others would find meaning in it too. Now, it may not be the same exact “story” for you, our readers, but certainly one that you will be able to relate to somewhere in your life.

I spoke with each friend for a long while, at least an hour. We talked about our lives, what we have in common, (or not,) what is important to us and what we are passionate about. I could almost see the light bulb click and turn on over their heads. Almost every single person had something to say, something to write about. It may have been something that had been buried deep inside or something they just haven’t had a chance to share with anyone. In some cases, it was something they didn’t even realize they wanted to talk about or had a need to talk about. Whatever it was, it was something that touched them deeply and they wanted to pay homage to it. Hell, some people just always wanted to write. Whatever the case may be, these phone conversations were magical. Truly a celebration of life in it’s many forms.

I had a different kind of conversation with other friends. You don’t know what you want to write about? Cool! Just do it. Just write. Be a daredevil. You writes it as you sees it. Really? Really. You can! Write it as it happens. Write about it when it flashes through your mind. Write about the things you don’t want to write about. Just do it. Let it all hang out! Just write. These were also magical conversations.

Musings (for us all) on life as a broadway musical:

People… Readers, Friends…Just Do It.

Live your life as a broadway musical. YOU get to pick the song. Get in touch with your true self. Share yourself with your friends, your family, your co-workers. Inspire yourself. Touch your own soul. Live the life of your dreams. It’s YOU who gets to write the song.  Go sing it loud and proud.

For us all:

This is one of my favorite songs and I wanted to share it with you. Redundant, but so what – it drives home the point and maybe, just maybe, it will ring a bell and resonate with you.

John Mayer: Say What You Need To Say Lyrics

Songwriter: John Clayton Mayer

Take out of your wasted honor

Every little past frustration

Take all your so called problems

Better put them in quotations

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Walkin' like a one man army

Fightin' with the shadows in your head

Livin' up the same old moment

Knowin' you’d be better off instead

If you could only

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Have no fear for givin' in

Have no fear for givin' over

You better know that in the end

It's better to say too much

Than to never to say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shakin'

And your faith is broken

Even as the eyes are closin'

Do it with a heart wide open

A wide heart

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

Say what you need to say

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Thank you to all of my contributors. It is YOU who have inspired me.

Much love to everyone.

Keep Singing!

Kimberly