Singing Hearts

Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo caught my eye at the library the other day.  I initially picked it up thinking that it would have content that I could share with my students this semester.  Perhaps it could help to motivate and inspire them to be confident and creative in their presentations.  As I started reading the book, I realized that the true reason I selected the book was because of my own passion about using oral presentations as a way to convey purpose and inspire change in my audience.  I am passionate about creating the opportunity for individuals to pull themselves out of a life of conflict and to help them see that there are other options out there.  That they themselves are capable of being the change that they want in their lives.  That is my goal every day whether it is with a class of 100 level community college students, the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or a small non-profit:  It also applies to the individuals that I meet every day in mediation.  I want to inspire others to develop and create realities that reflect the life they seek for themselves. 

Gallo quotes Professor Melissa Cardon in regards to her presentation about entrepreneurship and passion:  "a positive, intense feeling that you experience for something that is profoundly meaningful for you as an individual".  "Passion" is frequently only associated with amorous or sexual feelings which tends to be seen as measurable.  But have ever listened to someone who had such intense feelings about a topic or hobby or idea?  Did you feel pulled in, enthralled by them?  Unable to explain why this person is capable of casting such a spell with their words?  According to Gallo, one of the successful formats for TED talks is a result of the passionate force of the speaker.  He further suggests that truly inspiring TED speakers actually encompass the idea of what makes their "heart sing".  What are you passionate about?  What makes your heart sing?  One is a focused question, the second is open ended and gets to the core of the individuals drive.  TED attracts many passionate and knowledgable speakers but it is those that are able to go beyond, to what makes their heart sing, that seem to stand out.

These ideas spoke volumes to me.  Something has been missing in my life and in the way I present myself.  Sure, I can go through the motions necessary to get the "job done" and most wouldn't be the wiser.  Yet, there is a reason that I chose to work in alternative dispute resolution with the intent of teaching and training.  I can take comfort in knowing mediators are one of the oldest professions and a role that will always have its place in society.  I am passionate about creating a world where everyone has access to justice.  But what makes my heart sing is when another feels empowered to stand up for what they believe and change their narrative to a story that reflects the person and life that they intend to be and have.  To know that my presence made a difference in one persons life, perhaps not at that moment, but later on when they felt confident to make those changes that created self empowerment.  

 As I continue to read through Talk Like TED, I realize that this book found its way to me because it is what I need right now.   A guidebook to help me reflect on my own narrative and remember that I am empowered to create the story of my own life that reflects what makes my own heart sing.  I want to convey passion and inspiration at the level of TED speakers in all ways that I communicate with others.  From my website and business card, to the mediation room, classroom and public forum.  What makes your heart sing?