So Inspired To Never Stop Learning

Julia Child said “Learn how to cook, try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be FEARLESS, and above all have fun.”

This quote is something I shared in my TEDx talk this past weekend (the “x” stands for independently organized) “How Moms Can Change the World”.

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If you’ve never heard of TED talks – they are short (less than 18 minutes) speech/presentations that must convey an idea “worth spreading”. I was invited to participate in TEDx Horace Park to share my “big idea”.

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And my big idea? Moms Can Change the World with two simple techniques. Don’t worry, I will post the video in just a few days to let you know what they are – I can’t give it away!

I really found it fascinating to be a part of this experience and I learned a ton. This is not a “get up in front of the audience and wing it” kind of event. This idea “worth spreading” presentation has to be clear, concise and every word has to count. The idea has to be said with conviction – the idea creator must believe every word and share passion in every word. Pressure? Yes. But the idea isn’t about me, it’s about who it can help.

Back to the quote from Julia Child, I pretty much think it sums up a good chunk of my life. Yes, it’s about food, and so is my professional life. But I can also apply it in another way. My life, my regular life I live every day. So here’s my version of the quote: Find what inspires you and do something every day to learn more to fuel that passion. Instead of being fearful about trying something new, be fearless and trust God. And don’t forget to laugh out loud every day.

Inspiration can be found anywhere. Last week, I found it with some amazing colleagues at a Communications Training sponsored by Midwest Dairy. The training I received has already revolutionized the way I communicate. I am so grateful to be a part of a team that is dedicated to educating and inspiring so many so we can do better together. I believe every single one of us has a story to share and that story can help someone else. Whether we believe in the power of our story or not.

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I was invited to be on a panel during this communications training to share my experience as a supermarket registered dietitian and blogger. I was part of a trio: Kristin Doyle, a freelance writer with a food/photography blog called Dine & Dish and Karen Bohnert, a freelance dairy writer with her work found on the Dairy Makes Sense website. Not only was the audience learning from us, but I was learning too. Inspiration.
(I was so inspired, I forgot to get a picture!)

Back to the TEDx event. Through this amazing experience, I found what it means to be FEARLESS. To be fearless enough to be OKAY with being the first speaker for the event. To be fearless enough to share my life story and ideas that have lived in my head for so long. To be fearless enough to put in extensive hours of writing, rehearsal, re-writing, tightening the message and delivering it. It was worth every minute of effort.

All I can say to every mom: Find your inspiration. Do something to fuel that passion. Be fearless!

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