09/29/25
We arrived at the beautiful venue in Billings, Montana at 8am.
I was the first speaker at TEDxBillings, slated to kick things off at 9am.
At 8:45am, I went to the green room, where they had a great setup of snacks and water for the speakers.
I couldn’t eat anything.
I drank some water, and began jumping up and down to get my body ready for what I was about to do.
I reminded myself, over and over again, that there is one person in this audience who needs to hear my message.
When this talk gets published on YouTube…
There will be one person whose life will change after watching…
And I need to deliver for them.
This was not about me.
This was not about the accolades of being a TEDx speaker.
This was not about being perfect on stage to feed my ego.
This was about getting this message out there in a way that could change even one person’s life.
I was brought backstage.
The headset.
The introduction.
The nerves were building.
Our wonderful coordinator Janese opened the curtain for me to walk through.
I stepped on stage.
The applause was warm and encouraging.
I stepped onto that red circle.
I looked at the crowd, I took in the moment, and then I began.
“Recently, I met someone who had a profound impact on me…”
From that first sentence to the final statement…
I felt connected to everyone in that room.
I walked off that stage to smiling faces and loud applause…
And what has been a dream for years was actualized.
The best part of this experience was the individuals who came up to me after and told me that my talk woke them up.
It made them think differently.
They were inspired.
They related so much to what I shared.
The point I’m hoping to communicate to you right now is that the most fulfilling experiences in life always involve giving of some kind.
Giving value.
Giving attention.
Giving of yourself to serve others without expecting anything in return.
Interestingly enough…
That was a key message I communicated in my talk.
For anyone interested in watching it…
It should be published within 1-2 months.
When it’s available, I’ll be sure to share it with everyone here on the newsletter.
In the meantime…
Please remember that giving is the most fulfilling experience there is.
Be sure that the type of giving you offer is not at the sacrifice of your well-being, but rather, a celebration of your fullness, joy, and love.
Rooting for you,
Jay (encouraging you to give selflessly and without expectation)
