Motivational | Small Things Are Big Things, My BlogHer13 Recap

Small Things Are Big Things. It was the theme of my HealthMinder panel at BlogHer13 last week-all about small steps, small changes, like each one of my 30 Days, building a foundation to a lifetime of health and happiness and sunshine. I spoke with Lisa Leeke of 100 Days of Real Food and Roni Noone of Roni’s Weigh, GreenLiteBites, and FitBloggin’. And we each had our own success stories that started with small steps. The room was small, the group was too. But intimacy was good for both my nerves and the interaction.

But looking back now, Small Things are Big Things kind of feels like the theme of my BlogHer13 weekend. It feels like my days were filled with singular moment, seconds even, that have combined and grown into this entire positive experience. Small things are big things.

My dear friends Jess (Chaos & Love), Terri (Om Seeking Balance), Wendy (Wendy Nielsen Writing a New Story), and Megan (MamaBub), were full of kind words and encouragement before my talk. And my husband sent this funny photo of my kids cheering me on from home. But each simple word, each pat on the back, each cheer from half way across the country was heard, and echoed in my head. They built my confidence. They made me feel like I could moderate a panel, share my experiences, be inspiring and helpful. And you know what? I did, and I totally was.

Small things are big things.

I met with Mark, a friend from high school I hadn’t seen in 10 years. We ate new things and laughed and walked and saw Joan Cusak. (JOAN CUSAK.) It was the perfect pre-conference afternoon simply to relive old memories, catch up, and see Chicago.

I did a lot of hugging. I hugged Mark. I really hugged him. I saw friends I met months ago at Bloggy Boot Camp in Phoenix. I hugged them. (Hi Pauline and Lynnee of Club ChicaCircle!) I met new friends and squeezed them too (like Jeni of Chronic Babe). Strangers got hugged. Each hug was a connection, and each second (or five) was a chance to tell someone they are loved, appreciated, and total rock stars. You always feel better after a hug.

That’s because small things are big things.

A single Video 101 session with new friend Jill Calvert (Geek Till You Drop) has sparked my curiosity and excitement to try vlogging. It’s a new direction I want to explore, and my brain is overflowing with inspiration and ideas. And a session on social media reminded that yes I am a big deal thanks to awesome bloggers Lauren Marie Flemming (Queerie Bradshaw) and Shalini Miskelly (Reading and Chickens). Such inspiration doesn’t come from books or reading other blog posts or social media. Eye contact and a quiet and interested audience builds energy and passion.

I danced. Oh my goodness, I danced. And I laughed. Something so simple and easily done. But each time I laughed or shook my hips a little more I broke through my shell just a bit. And I opened myself up to possibility a little more. In each moment my smile was a little wider and my tension and nerves faded away. I even cartwheeled next to the keynote stage on Saturday, after lunch.

But small things really are big big things.

I know this is true because I’ve come home energized, inspired, smarter that when I left. My BlogHer experience was this larger than life thing that I have had trouble putting into words, and I think it’s because there were so many moments I want to cherish, remember, and learn from. So many small things that have come together to create this monumental perspective shifting thing. That’s so powerful and, quite simply, big.