When You Have the Chance to Speak…

When you have the opportunity to speak or present, sometimes your best preparation is to let go, just enough to leave room for instinct.

That was the case for me last night at a mixer for Christian women in business. I had prepared a thoughtful 15-minute talk, typed out and ready to go. But as I stepped into this sweet little coffee shop on a beautiful July afternoon, sunlight pouring in, the energy light and welcoming, I had this quiet moment with myself: Pause. Read the room first. Then decide.

People were chatting over coffee or a glass of wine, reconnecting and unwinding at the end of their workday. It didn’t feel like a “formal speech” setting. It felt more like a living room moment. So I made a quick choice: to share a shortened, heartfelt version of my story, unscripted and from the heart. I know my story pretty well.;)

I spoke about my faith, a little about my journey with adoption, and how SoulFilling came to be. I let it be real, not rehearsed. And what happened next reminded me why I love doing this.

Nearly ten women came up to me afterward, sharing their own stories, their ties to adoption, infertility, life, careers, or how their faith has shaped their path in business and beyond. The connections were instant, and so engaging! It reminded me that sometimes the most meaningful moments aren’t the most polished, they are just real conversations.

And here’s what I’ll take with me: You can plan all you want (and you should), but in the moment, listen to your gut. Sometimes the best thing you can bring is your presence.

If you’re looking for a speaker to bring heart-centered inspiration to your next event, at work, school, or in your community, I’d be honored to connect.

And if you’d like to stay in touch and hear about upcoming events, resources, and reflections, you’re warmly invited to subscribe to my monthly SoulFilling Postcard.