Opening Hearts - Transformational Speaking

Communications guru Gail Larsen asks people if they’re ready to…

• Stretch to the size of your calling?
• Let your communications reflect who you really are?
• Permit your authentic self to emerge in front of your audience?
• Trust yourself to speak well in the moment?

Gail describes her process - Transformational Speaking – as revealing the part of us that is fully capable, even eager, of opening hearts, inspiring change, and moving others to act through public speaking, allowing our real self to be present, reflecting the truth of who we are.

What Gail describes is what I set out to do – help people of all ages connect & related to their very purpose here on earth.  Which is simply – but not easily – themselves. Small wonder I’m eager to take her online course, swoon at the thought of doing an immersion workshop in New Mexico or a mini at Omega. 

It seems that the significantly older we get, the harder it is to connect to any sense of purpose.  My guess is the majority, maybe most, of my friends over 80 hardly focus at all on being their true self.  They seem engaged in being as little a bother as possible for the people who help make life work, rather than expressing their true self.  And often the self they communicate is anything but genuine.  

 

Consider that the grumpy person who seems dissatisfied with even your best efforts might be longing for just a few kind words, a little bit of genuine interest from others, some time spent talking with rather than at her.  Her voice might be loud & harsh & often heard, but she might be hiding her true self, from herself as well as others, because it doesn't feel safe to acknowledge, let alone let it emerge.  What she gives disagreeable voice to might have nothing to do with her actual inner life.    

  

The elderly person who is all willingness to do whatever others want might be busting at the seams to be doing something not even remotely similar to what’s suggested.  She might want Frosted Flakes for breakfast, not the oatmeal with stewed apricots she’s served every morning.  He might want to order Gone Girl or Birdman from NetFlix, not American Sniper & certainly NOT Still Alice.  And if they must get something from "back in his day," wants it be Bad Day at Black Rock or The Ladykillers, not Battle Cry or The Man from Laramie.   But they don't ask & he doesn't say a word, not wanting to make a fuss.

Not wanting to make a fuss – five little words that so often squelch an older spirit.  Which is why my purpose goes far beyond simply engaging with older friends, doing things they love in ways that matter.  

My bedrock purpose is to streeeeetch the size of their true current calling so it’s loud enough for THEM to hear & respond.  

It’s to encourage & help them communicate who they really are, especially to the people who matter most to their heart and/or life.   

To help create an environment where they feel safe enough to let their authentic self emerge in the presence of others.   

To honor them enough that they have confidence of speaking their reality in the moment. 

It’s no wonder I want to learn what Gail Larsen has to teach.  It mirrors intensifies expands what I strive to do every moment of every day with every one of my older friends.  

 

My goal, too!