Being brave at BlissDom

Last week, I leapt out of my comfort zone and headed to my first blogging conference, BlissDom 2011, in Nashville. As I mentioned in my pre-conference post, I was terrified. Thankfully, I had some great friends step up and hold my hand help me have a great time. Here's how it all went down.

I got off the airplane in Nashville feeling alone, inadequate and scared. My first order of business was to meet up with Shell from Things I Can't Say and grab a taxi over to the Opryland Hotel. Would she like me? What if I say something ridiculous? Am I going to embarrass myself? If you are wondering, Shell is every bit as cute, kind, and honest in person as she is on her blog, and I was worrying needlessly.

Once at the hotel, I quickly met up with some other fabulous bloggers like Ashley from Just Another Mom of 2, Erin Margolin, Liz from a belle, a bean, & a chicago dog, and KLZ from Taming Insanity. Still, that first evening, I was feeling reserved and could barely talk to anyone.

The first full day of the conference I felt an internal turmoil. Why am I here? These people are all talking about how bloggers are pioneers, are courageous, and are changing the world. I did not feel that way about myself.

{Bliss is possible only when we are courageous, telling our stories with our whole heart. ~Brene Brown, opening Keynote Speaker, BlissDom 2011}

Maybe it is because I haven't been honest with myself. I haven't been an open book on my blog. I have felt that there were certain things that I couldn't write about. I have not been myself on my blog; what the heck is that about? If I can't be myself in that space, why did I think I could be myself at a blog conference.

Slowly, I began to open up and start talking, start connecting. I talked about my husband's job and about what binds my family together. And all of a sudden, I felt free. I cut the ties that were binding my hands behind my back.

{Connection gives our lives purpose and meaning. ~Brene Brown}

The second day of the conference was better. I felt real connections being formed. I told stories and laughed with some amazing women. I listened to the closing keynote address by Scott Stratten (AH-Mazing!) and I laughed so hard I cried.

And then, the defining moment of BlissDom happened for me. At the end of Scott's talk, this really loud music started. The organizers were startled and had no idea what was going on. All of a sudden, this big group of attendees at the front of the room got up and started dancing to Miley Cyrus's Party in the USA. I knew immediately what was going on: Flash Mob.

I stood up and started dancing. Liz grabbed me and we ran up and joined the group. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life. I didn't know the steps, I learned them as I went along. I didn't know the other dancers, but I connected with them in something that was bigger than all of us.

I could not believe that I was up there. I laughed and was proud of myself for playing along. I knew I may never have another chance to dance with a flash mob and now I can say that I have done it.

I was brave. I put myself out there. And now I am stronger for it. Going forward I am going to be brave. I am going to put myself out there. And I will be stronger for it. That is my BlissDom take-away.

For a video of me and the BlissDom 2011 Flash Mob, click here. This is not the best video of the whole mob, but the only one where I could see myself. Leave me a comment if you think you can point me out. You can see a better video of the whole mob here.