{"id":9060,"date":"2020-01-08T12:56:09","date_gmt":"2020-01-08T18:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/?p=9060"},"modified":"2020-01-08T12:56:16","modified_gmt":"2020-01-08T18:56:16","slug":"this-may-cause-applause-tell-you-of-your-gift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/2020\/01\/08\/this-may-cause-applause-tell-you-of-your-gift\/","title":{"rendered":"This May Cause Applause & Tell You of Your Gift"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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My beloved first graders at Moody Elementary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When I was pregnant with my daughter Natalie, I shifted from a long-time role in special education to teach a classroom of precious first graders. Oh, how I loved those children \u2013 especially after lunch and recess when I sat down in the rocking chair and read picture books out loud to calm and settle them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Fridays, as a special treat, I made up a story that involved children from the classroom. You could hear a pin drop as the children hung on every word, waiting to hear their name, or their friend\u2019s name, and what shenanigans they were up to that week in my imaginary world.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I finished telling the story, the children did something unexpected\u2014they would clap. And not just a polite clap \u2013 it was a full-on, enthusiastic clap that both delighted and intrigued me.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d always wanted to have a beautiful singing voice\u2014it was (definitely) not meant to be. But I was a storyteller \u2013 and a good one at that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I told stories from the heart, my voice got calm and low. I relayed the exciting parts with passion and energy. I could make stories come to life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several years after teaching that precious class, I found myself speaking in front of groups of people as an author. Although it felt far outside my comfort zone, I received positive feedback about my voice and my delivery that spurred me to continue accepting invitations to speak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Late last fall, I shared a video of me<\/a> on my back deck reading a daily intention I often say to myself. The overwhelming response from listeners indicated I had an offering I could bring to the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the past several months, I\u2019ve worked on creating a collection of stories, reflections, meditations, and intentions that I thought would be helpful for people to hear in the new year \u2013 stories about healing, self-compassion, and small steps to becoming who we are meant to be.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But even before that gift was ready to share, I couldn\u2019t help but see the valuable story within the experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the producers arrived to record, I immediately wondered how the two young men would respond to the content\u2014I mean, this could be a long six hours<\/em>, I thought to myself.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But just after three readings, one of them said, \u201cI feel like I should clap whenever you get finished with a reading.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tears sprung to my eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was a full circle moment \u2013 a \u201cremarkable thing\u201d that I believe is worthy of sharing with those who might be feeling the inadequacy that often comes with a new year, perhaps a decade gone by and yet, their dream still sits somewhere on a shelf. Perhaps you don\u2019t even know what your dream\u2026 your purpose\u2026 your passion is anymore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If so, here\u2019s a tip\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As our world feels more and more maxed out\u2026 as our souls feel more and more depleted and disconnected, we must notice remarkable things \u2013 the remarkable moments that fill our eyes with tears \u2026 that spark unexpected laughter\u2026 that bring peace to our breath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pay attention to\u00a0those<\/em>\u00a0moments<\/strong>. Because they are telling you something critically important about yourself. Even more, such moments are telling you something about the kind of offering you are born to make in this world.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your gifts\u2026 your calling… your purpose\u2026 whatever you want to call it \u2026 is important and it must not be abandoned.\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And you can begin your search to retrieve it today by noticing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who knew that reading books to first graders eons ago would indicate what I was supposed to do with my voice in 2020? 

Who knows what activity\u2026 what gift\u2026 what offering you bring to your quiet corner of the world that someone else needs to see or hear in the new year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope you find out.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dear friends of the Hands Free Revolution, the recording experience I wrote about in today\u2019s post is now ready for you. It is part of the collection of pre-order bonuses<\/a> I made exclusively for those who pre-order LIVE LOVE NOW.\u00a0<\/strong>
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Pre-orders make a tremendous difference for authors by creating buzz among booksellers and media, which helps raise awareness and visibility of the book for new readers.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, to thank you for this important early support, I\u2019ve poured my heart and energy into these tools for connection:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n