What Do You Want to BE?

When I was little my mom would tell me I could be and do whatever I wanted. She would cuddle me and give me permission to go after what I wanted. She would tell me that I didn’t NEED to be and do everything, but that I could-and no matter what, she’d always love me.

So I tried. I tried to accomplish things that were perceived as “big”. I loved watching leaders accomplish the unthinkable. I liked watching performers: Comediennes, flutists, Julia Roberts. They changed peoples happiness.

I believed my mom. So I wasn’t afraid to try things. I tried things that other people were scared of because I wanted to see if I could conquer those things. I was really just curious to see what the fear was about. I figured, if I can figure it out, I’ll share it. Maybe it isn’t so scary after-all.

I’m pretty sure when my mom said that I could do anything, that it was a belief in me. Perhaps it wasn’t her view on the world. In fact, she may have thought that here I was, this rare gem who really could do whatever she wanted. Having a mom believe those things about you becomes an honor and responsibility. In the end, it helped me learn a thing or two about what I wanted to do in life.

I saw my mom as an entrepreneur. She had a work-life balance. She worked hard & was giving. I learned charity from her example. Not because she ever felt obligated, but because she was the woman who baked 8 dozen cookies on Halloween and left them on doorsteps of friends and neighbors as the “Halloween Phantom”. She was the one who consistently made meals and brought them to those who were sick. She was in the PTA for heaven’s sake!

I remember my first visit to Shade Tree Women’s Shelter in Vegas was with my mom. She wanted to see if they needed anything. I was probably nine years old. I remember going into the kids room and hanging out while my mom asked around for what she could do to help. We went on a tour of the facility and hung out in the courtyard with some of the residents.

Then we went on a shopping trip. My mom had a list with her of kids sizes. We went to get sweatpants in all different colors. Then off to little boys shirts. I helped her pick out the outfits and load the cart to the top.

We returned to Shade Tree with a myriad of items. My mom and I went in, dropped off the stuff and we left. That was it. She didn’t want recognition, she didn’t need anyone to know why she’d done what she had. She silently and happily gave where needed.

I wanted to tell people about what she did. I thought ‘if this message could travel, it could really be inspiring’.

It was likely the first time I really understood what good we could do if we did share the love. My hippie roots were planted.

She was humble, I was envisioning global change.

I’ve always found it fascinating to hear great speakers. The first time I ever heard the “I Have A Dream" speech was in a college classroom. I’d never felt so moved. I looked down at my arm and had goosebumps. Even though I had read it before, hearing it made me understand the power of this medium.

I knew I wanted to spread great messages. For a while, I thought it’d be through performance, and it still may be. I could see the pure joy people received from being entertained- how easy it was to make someone laugh. I considered a career in teaching. Then, senior year of high school I declared my college major: Speech Communications. I never looked back. I graduated with that degree. Most people would rather die than speak in front of a group, but I could see change happening when I did it, I would rather do that than do anything else.

So we stumble upon 2011, and I’ve found a new way to leverage that voice. I realize that we all have these shared experiences. We have similar feelings of emotional highs and lows. This deep rooted hippie believes in using that to bring us together. Find ways to enhance community, build relationships that flourish, be happy and helpful.

It’s why I was a lobbyist for higher education. It’s why I became a critic. And now, it’s why I want to continue to use my voice.

Now, I’ve picked a new medium. This crazy thing: new online media, it’s how we’re relating.

I don’t think we know how powerful it can be to affect positive change. I’m just starting to feel the effects, and it’s exciting.

So is born: Crowd Siren, a social media marketing agency.

My new business that continues to do what I’ve always done: spread great messages, spread the love.

Thanks Mom.