Speaking Of…

Well I don’t think my speaking engagement last night could have gone any better than it did.  I was given more time than originally allotted and that extra time gave me the opportunity to really share from the heart.  I didn’t recite a memorized speech.  I didn’t employ the skills of a ghost writer.  I didn’t read from note cards.  I just spoke from the heart, and I’m glad I did.  I mean…  Gosh…  I can’t even tell you.  To see first hand how your words impact someone.  To get immediate feedback on how you’ve helped someone.  To be told by a 60 year old woman that she’s dealing with some things right now that I shared during my speech.  For her to hold my hand and tell me how much I touched her…  Good grief.  I really just don’t have any words.  I always hoped it, but I don’t think I ever really thought I’d be able to have that kind of impact on another human being.  Or at least I had no idea of what that kind of response would feel like.  I think that’s it.  It just feels like nothing I’ve ever experienced before and though I get similar responses from my show, I never get used to it.  How could you?  Someone standing nose-to-nose with you pouring out their soul about how you’ve just had a positive effect on them.  YOU – not a song on the radio.  Not a teacher from school.  Not their mother or father.  YOU.  ME.  Me.  Me having an immediate positive (and hopefully lasting) effect on another person.  I’m still speechless.

Won’t you stand to your feet and help me welcome in the month of June? 

=cue applause=

We are about to hit that half-way point in the year, and for all of those that set out with a specific set of goals for 2012, now is the time to revisit them.  Now is the time to do a gut-check (or two).  The rubber is about to meet the road, and I need you all to be ready.  Ready and focused on exactly what you’ve got to do and the necessary work it will take to get there.  I’m not saying it’s too late, ‘cause it’s never too late.  I’m just saying now is the perfect time to sit with yourself and your calendar to get some things figured out.  And you can do it.  I’ve got no doubt about that, perhaps you just need to focus a bit more.

Here’s my year thus far…

JANUARY
STEPPING ON A FEW TOES successfully completed another run by participating in Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest 2012.

FEBRUARY
I participated in another installment of URBAN LEGENDS, a poetry showcase held several times a year in Hollywood, CA.

I co-directed the short play THE BLACK HISTORY OF POLITICS written by Justin Key.

MARCH
I was a featured guest on the Rare Woman show, and the interview can be heard here: http://gvbradio.com/archives/rarewoman-031612.mp3

APRIL

I worked at this year’s Milk and Bookies (http://www.milkandbookies.org/), which is a celebrity charity event that focuses on literacy and giving books to children that don’t have access to books of their own.  It was a wildly fun event and I was part of a host of character actors brought in to entertain the kids in attendance.  The character I played?  The White Rabbit from Alice Iin Wonderland, and yes – Alice was there with me.  We had a blast.

In addition, I had the great fortune of being the guest on the Rare Woman radio show again last Friday.  Feel free to listen here:  http://gvbradio.com/archives/rarewoman-042712.mp3.

MAY

STEPPING ON A FEW TOES had a successful run of a show sponsored by the Rare Woman organization on May 12, 2012.

I was the guest speaker at A Celebration of Strong Women presented by The Dream Catcher’s Foundation on May 31, 2012.

And speaking of what you were just speaking of…(inside joke between Josh and me)  Can I just pause for a minute to give a shot out to Jay?  Thank God for you!  Seriously.  I was only able to make this blog thing work based off of the sound advise that you so kindly gave to me last year.  Thank you a million times, and I can’t wait to hug your neck in person.  To Jay and to all:  have an awesome weekend!

My name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.