SHS gave me this T-shirt
When I’m asked, “What are some highlights of your many years of entertaining?”, I always include experiencing standing ovations from my audiences. It’s my feeling that these spontaneous and physical bursts of validation rank somewhere in between an “I love you, daddy” and shooting a birdie on a golf course. (I always wear two pairs of pants when I play golf, in case I get a hole-in-one!) And probably the most standing ovations I’ve received from any one ‘sponsor’ definitely come from every tenth grade class from Sanford High School for the last 15 years. The sophomore class has an annual off-campus two day event that includes a variety of presentations on teen issues. My piece is called Full Esteem Ahead, and runs roughly an hour.
Well, it happened again on May 17, 2012! That simple gesture was, all at once, exhilarating, humbling, encouraging and satiating. I felt like the entire audience of those 250+ sophomores, the upper class mentors, and the two dozen adult advisors all embraced me simultaneously!
I’ve come to realize that a standing ovation is a wonderful ‘perk’ of being a live performer. And like my seldom scored birdie on the links, it keeps me coming back. Do look to your own ‘standing ovations’ moments and celebrate them often. I certainly do!
