I recently had a speaking engagement in Stoughton, Wisconsin and got some interesting e-mail feedback from one of the attendees:
I was at your presentation at St. Ann’s in Stoughton. It was so uplifting and inspiring to me, that I got some moms together and we escaped our adultitis world. During Catholic Schools Week (last week) there was a talent show for the kids. They come up with all kinds of fun talents: joke telling — What do you call cheese that’s not yours? Nacho Cheese! — and singing, piano playing, chicken dancing, etc. Well, I thought that it would be fun if a few moms got up there and embarrassed our kids by doing our own number. We had several women ages mid 20’s to late 50’s. We dressed up in old prom/bridesmaids dresses, slathered on the gaudy blue eye shadow, red lips and used hair brushes for our microphones! We were the last act and came in from the back and surprised everyone as we danced our way up the aisle to the song Dancing Queen. We even had coordinating hand motions. I was kind of expecting the kids to groan and hide their faces behind their hands, but they all jumped up and were screaming and dancing with us. It was like a rock concert!! The parents also joined in and I even saw Father Healy clapping and laughing in the back of the room! It was three minutes of performing, but the “high” was from planning it (laughing hysterically) and even now when I think of it, I can’t help but crack up!!
Thank you so much for encouraging all of us to escape adulthood. We had a blast!!! Being a silly heart is so much more fun than being a grown up!!
Sincerely,
Jenny Wahlin
As a speaker, it’s always gratifying to hear that something you said “stuck.” I share this because it’s a great example of what an impact you can make — not only on yourself but on others — when you let your hair down and take some time to escape adulthood. If you have a great idea to inject a little childlike fun into a meeting but are a little skittish to act alone, rope a few others into your plan. Not only will you acquire a little extra courage, you’ll have even more fun, and you’ll treat others to a welcome relief from the daily, adultitis-stricken grind.
I think that’s one of the reasons I enjoyed doing The Escape Plan so much – I knew there were are group of people all working on the same tasks each day. Even though we were often states (and continents!) apart, there was a real sense of being in it together and I really liked reading what other people were doing with the challenges!