FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT!

Looks like an international best-selling author to me

Public speaking is not easy… it takes courage, confidence, or great acting skills. I was a little anxious before I read a passage from my book at this past weekend’s Boston Book Festival (http://www.bostonbookfestival.org/). The moderator of Grub St.’s (http://www.grubstreet.org/) Guided Open Mic, was published author Steve Almond (who has made an appearance on this blog). He assured us it’s natural to be nervous. “It shows how much this means to you.”


So…pretending to be a best-selling author, I got up and read. Lucky for me, that white light and good karma I have been blogging about are still following me. You can see all that excellent energy floating around in the picture here. It’s worth noting, the more positive and clear my thinking is, the more favorable vibes emitted. It really is amazing.

The audience seemed to enjoy my piece. After the reading, one little girl at the next presentation, asked for my autograph! What a thrill. What a treat. I thought,…see what happens when you walk through your fear…. Things just keep getting better and better!

I wanted to share my experience with my readers. Take a risk today by putting yourself out there. Do something you have been afraid to do. The exhilaration rush when it’s over is worth it. Fearlessness is a way to Agelessness…

PUBLISHING TIP: For anyone who dreams of getting published, reading your work aloud is the ultimate test. There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. The more you practice reading out loud, the better the work becomes.



A PLUG FOR POETRY...

                                Aunty and I with a real live poet

When was the last time you read, or wrote poetry, or had someone read a poem to you?

That’s what I thought.

Many of us are too busy, and the last thing we might think of is picking up a poem to read, or taking the time to read aloud to someone we love. We are missing out on an enriching simple joy.

Aunty and I had the distinct pleasure of attending a poetry reading recently and we enjoyed every verse. Our dear friend Meg Kearney is a poet. She read from her latest book of poems called Home by Now. Sitting there listening to the words eloquently flowing off her lips was just a little slice of wonder. Poetry asks you to listen, reflect, and when you are writing, to dig deeper.

I was so inspired I am reading more poetry (including Meg’s poems of course).

Dabble in a few poems if it’s been a while. Read aloud to someone. It’s as simple as packing a lunch, grabbing a blanket, and putting a few poems in your pocket to go sit by the lake. Now that’s Ageless if you ask me. Or, stay right where you are, just grab a pen and paper and go with the flow…

Poetry can bring you to the most amazing places and make you feel alive. It creates enriching conversation when you discuss poems with others. But, most of all, poetry is to be enjoyed. Raindrops on roses might be one of Julie Andrew’s favorite things, but having someone read to me (poetry included) is one of mine. How utterly romantic…I swoon at the thought.

Further reading:
Sound and Sense (and introduction to understanding poetry) by L. Perrine.

For more on the brilliant Meg Kearney, and her poems, go to http://www.megkearney.com/.
Meg is the embodiment of a good poem…stunning, smart, and good company. Oh yes, and she moves you.