My Lead With Love Aspen 2018 Experience

When you show up in all of your glory, the world cannot help but recognize.

I attended the Lead With Love Summit in Aspen, Colorado last weekend. I spoke at the summit’s debut two years ago and last year I was slated to speak, but my mother died. Although I was grateful to be by my mother’s side, I was honored to be back at the event this year. I approached the summit differently this time around by setting a clear intention. My intention was to OWN MY POWER.

I have become keenly aware of the gifts that God has given me. He / She has given me a sense of humor, a zest for life, an apologetic way of being, and a pretty nice earthsuit. I love performing standup comedy because being on stage in front of people with a microphone and a spotlight brings me great joy. I am also keenly aware of the wisdom I have gained from my life experiences, as well as the wisdom I have access to when I quiet my mind and connect to God. I have taught 6, 33 Day Facebook Live Series, one of which is FYG & GYG (find your gift & give your gift). I have spent a copious amount of time taking notice of what lights me up with grace and ease and how I could use that to be of service.

When I take what I have learned, get up on stage, let my bright light shine while sharing my humor and heart, I am in my element, my happy place, and in-line with my purpose. The most important question one can ask while on this planet is, “Who am I?” The second most important question is, “How may I serve?” When you know your purpose, and you use it to be of service, the abundance will flow.

In the past I have second-guessed myself, felt like I wasn’t ready, thought I wasn’t enough, and all of the other silly untrue thoughts that our spinning brain tells us. So, when I went to the conference this year, I set a very clear intention to OWN MY POWER! Not step into it, but actually embody what I love and am here to do. No more small talk, negative self-talk, or allowing obstacles to hold me back.

A week before I went to the lead with love Summit, I attended Beau Eason’s storytelling workshop. I love storytelling and he reaffirmed for me the power of owning one’s story. I was so moved, I dragged my Aspen mindfulness informational PowerPoint talk into the desktop trashcan, then outlined my heartfelt stories that have shaped my life and led me to mindfulness.

Right before I took the stage, I asked God to use me to be of service, allow me to say the things that need to be heard, and let me receive the things that I needed. I thanked God for the opportunity and remembered my intention to fully embrace what I had come there to do- Own My Power. After a few deep breaths soaking in my intention, I commanded the stage and connected with all of the beautiful eyeballs looking at me. I started off with a powerful story pouring from my heart. It was magical as I witnessed everyone being all in to what I was saying. I felt as if I was holding my heart out to them and they were receiving it with love. We were vulnerable, connected and in the moment together. It was amazing.

Audience members lined up to talk to me after I was finished. One woman said, “Thank you for being all of your quirky, strong, unapologetic self. Watching you be so brave and free has compelled me to do the same. Thank you for showing me so clearly what being authentic really looks like.” Her comment reminded me of my favorite Marianne Williamson quote:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

I set my intention to Own My Power by shining my light and speaking my truth with no apology. And as I did, I allowed others to do the same. Gosh dang it that feels good.

The next gal in line said, “I am here on a scholarship. I have 8 kids and was homeless until recently. You were the inspiration for my scholarship admittance letter. I am here because of you.” I couldn’t figure out how in the heck she even knew me! Later I was told she followed my 33 Day Facebook Live Series. I shoot those on my phone in my backyard and often don’t think it’s really reaching many people. I have my core group of warriors that tune in every episode, but I was unaware that this gal knew I existed. I was so humbled and filled with deep gratitude. I was receiving so much loving feedback just because I made manifest the glory of God that is within me. Wow, it is so powerful when we are doing what we are on the planet to do. It is not “hard” or a struggle as I often hear people say. It happens with grace and ease when you are in line with God’s plan. These women touched my heart.

From Owning My Power on that day, I attracted 2 women who signed up to work with me guiding them to Own Their Power. This feels so so good! Next week I am collaborating with two powerful, focused and love driven women who heard me speak in Aspen. We are meeting to create a platform to connect and uplift women in our ‘hood, the City of Angels (Los Angeles). These opportunities are coming because I stepped up and the universe is meeting me where I am.

For so long I have thought about what I wanted to do and had mini-plans in my mind, but always a little something was holding me back. No more. I am 52 years old and finally ready to receive the abundance that God has waiting for me. 52 years old! It’s never too late to be all that you were created to be, to step into the greatness that God has blessed you with, to be extraordinary and unapologetically you.

Shine your lights, people! Let’s bring our light into the darkness. The world needs us. Join me in celebrating this one messy imperfect life that God has blessed us with. Own Your Power. Trust me, it’s magical.

I think I feel a new necklace nameplate coming. Own Your Power!