All that sparkles and glistens |
Sometimes in life you meet people and have moments that are just simply life changing.
They somehow manage to instantly connect to your inner core.
Deeply penetrating your beliefs.
Changing the way you think, act or feel.
There were plenty of such people and moments at the recent Digital Parents Conference held at the magical Curzon Hall.
On stage women shared some of the most heart breaking stories that one could ever imagine. I sat there at the back of room wondering where one would find the strength to live through what they did.
I suddenly felt so small and insignificant.
With so many amazing people all in the one room I wondered what on earth was I doing there?
There were so many people who I knew but didn't really.
Women who had made my heart go out to them as I read their tales told through their blog. Women who I really wanted to meet and connect further with. Women who I wondered how I could introduce myself to. Women who I wanted to talk to but didn't know how to keep them interested when there were so many other people around.
Hands up if you were one of the few I felt brave enough to hand one of these little beauties to? |
There were others there that I knew not so well, but hoped for some strange reason they had heard of little ol' me. Not many of them had.
It was always with great trepidation that I handed out my card. Wondering if the receiver was really interested in getting it at all.
Which was a shame really because I thought they were such lovely little cards when I posted this to Instagram. In fact I still do think they are so lovely little cards. Which is lucky given how many of them I still have to hand out...
Not for a moment did I think that any of these women might be feeling much the same as me.
Why would they when they were all clearly full of so much awesome? Why would they when they all seemed to belong there, so much more than me?
When I left to go to the conference, I was adamant that I would walk away much wiser than I went in. There was no doubt in my mind that I would have a positive experience and be richer for it. Despite my lack of confidence when I got there, before arriving I fully expected to be told of my greatness.
Which I was.
Just not in the way I was expecting. But that's ok.
In fact it is possibly even better.
I have heard first hand how I have made a difference. How my words brought comfort and solace in a time of need. How I made others feel better about themselves. How we can touch people and change them, even without knowing it at the time. All the things I needed, when I needed them most.
As I predicted I will walk away from #DPCON13 a much wiser woman. Not necessarily in terms of great things to do with the blog. But more about me, myself and I. My three favourite topics!
Joining in for all the blogging fun of Tuesday blogging over at Essentially Jess
You've been mentioned in a few other posts I've read so you obviously have a big impact on people Rhianna :) xx
ReplyDeleteAwe shucks thanks Rachel
DeleteSometimes I think what we learn from a new or nerve wrecking experience is just what we need to learn at the time and not necessarily what you thought you would. You are such a supportive person, so encouraging and insightful. I would have loved to meet you, we could have sat and had first impression doubts together.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sophie, I feel terrible that so far my posts about it have not really show cased the awesomeness of it all, but when it was over these feelings of uncertainty and doubt over powered everything else. Now they are out the way though I will have some others to share in the coming days. I would love to meet you as well
DeleteI would have been nervous too! And I would have MADE you give me a business card :)
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to give you on as well lovely.
DeleteI totally understand how you felt and KNOW that I am going to feel EXACTLY the same at Problogger - in fact I swing between going to it and selling my ticket to someone else !!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing lady who is so supportive of others - stand tall and be proud of who you are and what you have done - you deserve to be proud !
Have the best week !
Me
Thank you so much for your lovely kind words. Can I just say that your daily emails are wonderful as well. I enjoy reading them each day. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely
DeleteDon't you dare sell your ticket! I'm going to problogger too. My first blog conference. Terrified, but excited. Feel the fear and do it anyway :)
DeleteI have a Rhi Business card !! **waves it in the air**
ReplyDeleteI went to the conference wanting to meet certain people, and mostly I did briefly.
But I met people who I hadn't planned to and they blew me away. You are one of them. You are such a beautiful spirit and you changed the conference for me. Thankyou x
Oh bless you lovely Lisa. You did your own fair share of blowing away as well you know. You are truly and amazing woman and mother. I am so glad to have met you.
DeleteI was there when you got goosebumps.. words that imprinted into your life.. That someone came to you every day to give themselves a lift.. you are a beautiful woman and a wonderful writer.. do not change.. I get goosebumps thinking about that night!!! A simple comment.. that meant so much!!
ReplyDeletexx
It was a truly amazing night. Magical perhaps. I know that I am truly blessed. Thank you for such kind words and support.
DeleteLove this, Rhianna. x
ReplyDeleteThanks Brenda. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you and thanks for stopping by. I suddenly feel all kinds of awesome
DeleteWhat a gorgeous post! I'm so glad we got to say a quick hi, even though it was at right at the end. Keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly. I too am glad we met, though just between you and me I was far from my best by then. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you lovely and thanks for dropping in
Deleteabsolutely lovely! you walked away from the conference with the best lesson yet - and I think your cards are great - maybe one day I will receive one?
ReplyDeleteJosefa from #teamIBOT
Thanks Josefa, hopefully yes one day I can give you one, I would dearly love to meet you
DeleteIt's my first time here...hello! I would be the same at any conference!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping in Alex, glad to know I am in good company then :O)
DeletePost me one - because had I been there I totally would have hit you up for one of those gorgeous purple numbers! You do make a difference, and I look forward to reading your updates Rhi. YOU are awesome! Em
ReplyDeleteOh thank you lovely Emily, I really do appreciate you constant support. It means the world to me. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you lovely
DeleteI felt the same and am a bit sad that we didn't get the chance to meet.
ReplyDeleteI learned so much and met some absolutely fantastic people - some of which I am meeting up with again in a week or so.
We may be little voices, but that is all it takes :)
Becc @ Take Charge Now
Yes I am sad we didn't get to meet either Becc. There was always something going on wasn't there. How lovely that you get to meet up with some of them again
DeleteObviously by all these comments you do makes a difference and you are not insignificant! Oh and you are a great writter!
ReplyDeleteYes these comments are all just so beautiful. I feel incredibly blessed. Thank you for your kind words
DeleteI'm so glad you got what you needed from it You are not insignificant at all!!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful reading all these DPCON13 posts. I've got my ticket for Problogger on the Gold Coast in September and can't wait - my first bloggy conference!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Janet. There is a part of me that kinda wishes I was going actually...
DeleteYou cards are gorgeous!! I think if I had gone to the conference I would have felt just the same. In fact I didn't go because i didn't think I had enough blogging experience to go to a conference. I would loved to have met you xx
ReplyDeleteRobyn I would have loved to have meet you as well. You most certainly do have enough experience lovely. Perhaps next time we will both be there
DeleteI laughed reading this post. Not at you but at the fact that you can give someone a hug and a kiss hello and both be shitting the same bricks... I hope to meet you again soon X
ReplyDeleteDo you know what, I actually asked someone if they were you. I was so embarrassed when they said they weren't. When we finally did meet I was so exhausted and overwhelmed I could barely put two words together. I hope we get to meet again soon, fancy a tropical holiday?
DeleteI love this post Rhianna - you always leave the most thoughtful comments and I wish I'd been there to meet you in person too. I'd have been terrified if I'd gone along. So glad you got so much out of it. x
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Kim, what a lovely thing to say. I wish you had of been there as well. And really there is nothing to be terrified about because everyone is just so so lovely
DeleteHow did I get away without a pretty purple card in my collection? We chatted multiple times but I never got one handed to me- I just checked! Ah well, I'll have to make do with memories of your lovely sparkling eyes and the soft heart you wear on your sleeve. Hugs lovely xx
ReplyDeleteHi Rhianna, I was one of the lucky ones to get your beautiful business cards. I have had mixed emotions about the conference due to my own feelings of self doubt and introvertness. (is that a word?) Maybe next year I won't feel so surreal about it all. Glad I got to meet you.
ReplyDeleteRhi, I am so glad we had a chance to hang out and share snippets about our lives over the two days at the conference.You are such a special woman, never ever let anyone or anything let you feel otherwise :) Fingers crossed that book deal comes your way very soon because you totally deserve it xxxx
ReplyDeleteP.S I did get one of your gorgeous cards ;)
DeleteRhi, it's so wonderful that you realize how much of a difference you make to people! Your positive outlook and generous support are always appreciated.
ReplyDeletexx
You know you would have been one of THE bloggers I would have gone out of my way to have met had I been able to get down there...still sad I couldn't go! Those business cards look as lovely as you are my dear - I hope to get my hands on one someday. And remember that you do make a difference everyday. You always take the time to leave beautiful and supportive comments all over the blogosphere and I count you as one of my true blogging friends (I hope that doesn't sound too stalkerish or anything!)
ReplyDeleteA lovely post, Rhi. It would've been a pleasure to meet you if id been there. I can't forget your special tagline "Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses." It's full of positivity, warmth, caring and hope.
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to what you are saying re lack of confidence. I feel a lack of confidence almost all the time but I am trying so hard to work through it. Good on you for facing this and handing out those cards, just awesome. You truly are a special lady x
ReplyDelete