I wish you could see the beauty who was taking this picture. It was our new HeartStories Events Assistant, Kim Meissner. She went with me to conduct the “site visit” at our gorgeous venue for the Confident Spring Style Fashion Show GNO, one week from today. We measured, we counted, and practiced setting up the chairs, but mostly we laughed and couldn’t stop talking about how excited we were to be hosting our first runway show in such an incredible venue!
But it wouldn’t have happened if my original plan would have worked out.
I had a vision for hosting this show in another location that was going to be spectacular. It would have been easy and beautiful. It would have saved us hours of work, and the last two weeks would have been much less stressful. But sitting where I am now, looking at this picture and envisioning our night together, I couldn’t be more excited. Even with the forecast showing a good chance of scattered rain, we’ll just batten down the hatches (literally, those giant curtains have hooks that can lock into the concrete to hold them closed in the rain) and enjoy the ambience the falling rain creates. We have a full “rain plan” and “shine plan” so that either way, the event is going to be a fantastic evening for all.
Inevitably, change is part of the process.
My friend (& friendship expert) Shasta Nelson and I, recorded a podcast type interview yesterday for her new training program called “Community Makers Circle” where she’s connecting, training, and supporting those who feel led to step up to lead groups, to build community. As part of that conversation, she asked me a lot of questions about my journey to build the HeartStories GNO program. I texted her to apologize afterwards because I realized that I talked A LOT about how hard it has been, how much it’s grown me as an individual, and how things rarely turn out the way I plan. While I certainly didn’t mean to scare anyone away from this calling of connecting, I also believe it’s so important to be honest about what it looks like behind the scenes.
Don’t get me wrong, it is a joy and incredibly fulfilling.
There are certainly so many fun days, like the one in this picture, full of laughter and ridiculous boomerang video making. But there are also a lot of really long, hard days that are very stressful. Most folks have NO idea how much work our team puts in behind the scenes. Every single one of us giving 100% non stop throughout the month. We’re constantly dancing at the edge of what we know. Never, ever feeling like an expert at any of it.
But I think that’s one of the best gifts of this life.
It’s learning to release our dreams, and all our best laid plans, so that our hands are open to accept what is possible.
“We must be willing to let go of the life we had planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~ E.M. Forster
There is a beautiful life beyond the plans you had. You just have to get back up, and keep going. If you have a dream, a vision of where you’re going, keep fighting for it. Don’t give up.
Pick up a compass, and let go of your death grip on the map.
Sometimes it’s the only way.
to more love,
Crystal
P.S. It’s not too late to join us one week from tonight at “Confident Spring Style GNO ~ a fashion show designed to equip real women to navigate this season with ease, both in clothing and in life.” Space is obviously limited but there are a few tickets left!
