Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Everyday Black Matters

Home
Progressive Christian
Do What You Love. #WINNING =)

Do What You Love. #WINNING =)

Last updated on: April 16, 2011 at 9:22 pm by Grace Sandra

Do What You Love. #WINNING =) 2011-04-16T21:22:05-04:00 Grace Sandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Last week, I spoke for 125ish students at The Ohio State University. I am very ashamed to admit it was one of the first times in a long time that I felt completely prepared. I gave the message prep and delivery-practice adequate time. It showed! I was pretty nervous for about 8 hours until talk time, but once I got up in front of everybody my fears melted away and it ended up being a complete riot though the subject matter was difficult: hope and healing from sexual abuse and other scars.

I loved it.

Afterward…

I had a few convo’s with students one of which said: “you are like, soooooo cool! Anyone who can quote ‘Good Will Hunting,’ call Jesus a ‘bad-ass’ and share THAT vulnerably about your past is awesome! We HAVE to be friends!” =)

How sweet is that?

It was a nice end to a FULL school year of travel: I’ve spoken at Grand Valley State, Youngstown State, U of M, University of Pittsburgh, done consulting/training in multiple contexts and traveled to about 6 states for various conferences. Later this month, we’ll take one more trip for the year to Cedar Campus for a week of student training.

Exhausting, but I have loved it.

I am however, looking forward to a long summer of being home. I do what I love to do. I can’t believe I get paid to do it, however, even what you love can just plain old exhaust you.

There is one more trip I’m hoping/begging/pleading/desiring/dying to take…

I applied yesterday for a Women Bloggers Deliver competition sponsored by Vestergaard Frandsen and partner Women Deliver, an advocacy organization.

If I won, I’d get an all expenses paid trip to the Kakamega Community in Kenya to be a part of the campaign in bringing the community access to clean water. I would then raise awareness by blogging and writing about the transformation taking place for six months following the trip.

Photo Credit: Daniel Cima, International Federation of the Red Cross

What I love about this whole initiative is that they are seeking to use social media and innovation to address real and practical problems that the poor are facing in sub-Saharan Africa. For example, they want to offer FREE, green-friendly ways of making water accessible, decreasing infant mortality, reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS & offering universal education.

Not just that but… they also want women central to these conversations.

(Love it).

Not just that but… they want a woman who is a strong communicator on paper, on screen, in front of a camera with online publication, a wide audience and accolades who is passionate about women’s issues, gender equality, caring for the poor and has a basic understanding of international development.

This is me.

This is TOTALLY me, right?! Not to toot my own horn but…

I have been on two international trips dealing with these issues (Kenya & Jamaica).
I have lead two trips amongst the Urban poor, teaching and training students how to address these issues. (I was also trained myself).
I speak widely to folks of different race and ethnic backgrounds.
I have read extensively about race and ethnic issues.
I read extensively on leadership and leadership principles.
I have trained on crossing cultures for several years.
I have crossed cultures my entire life.
My audience is wide as outside being in a regional role and having had a position of national leadership in InterVarsity. I have a large blog following and 2,300 facebook friends.
I’ve been speaking since I was 19. I am 34.
I was recognized by the American Association of University Women for my gifts in reaching women and was given the prestigious ‘Career Development,’ scholarship to complete my Graduate work and advance women’s rights.
I am a strong communicator in writing and speaking.
I am budding photographer.
Just because Ryan Seacrest didn’t think I was good enough for his stupid little show, “The Golden Globes,” doesn’t mean one can’t learn to be in front of the camera. And I remain convinced my video was good despite all of the pandemonium ~ notice how wonderfully I handle it! =)
I’ve also been to Kenya! In the summer of 1997 I spent 8 weeks doing advocacy work by digging wells and building needed facilities. It was challenging but one of the most powerful experiences of my life.

Now, personally I think I am just the absolute perfect candidate. I mean, seriously, don’t you agree? =)

The trip is Mid-May and while I toiled over the idea of applying —of course I DID— I know that part of who I am is doing what I love and what I am passionate about of which this trip combines all: communication, advocacy, womens issues & caring for the poor and marginalized of society.

I really want to win!

(I would SO love it)!

They are picking 2 women bloggers out of potentially hundreds of thousands of applicants, so my chances are relatively slim but I wanted to be sure to throw my name in the hat for such an incredible opportunity!

Do what you love. Take some risks. Get out of your comfort zone. Give freely of yourself.

That’s #WINNING.

Even if they don’t pick me, I’m still doing what I love.

I’m still winning,

Career Development scholarship

University of Pittsburgh

winning

Youngstown State

Previous Post

April 13, 2011

Can you believe I found this red statement necklace at an airport for $5 bucks???

Next Post

April 18, 2011 And here I thought I'd done my LAST post of the season with pictures of snow...

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion Abuse Survivor African Americans Black Campus Ministries Blogging Books Celebrities Depression Detroit Divorce Dreams entrepreneurialista Family Fashion Fashion & Hair Fashion Finds Fashion Tips Fitness & Body Love For You Girly-Girl Giveaways! Goal Setting Hair Adventures Home Human Trafficking Humor & Fun InterVarsity iphone Apps iphoneography Leadership Marriage Memoir Mentoring Movies Music My Faith My Life My Pregnant Life My Weight Watcher's Journey Netizen One Word Opinion Parenting Photography Policy Politics Pop Culture Product Reviews Race & Ethnicity Racism Ransom Rhys Second Marriage Self Leadership Social Justice Social Media Spiritual Disciplines T.V. Uncategorized Western Theological Seminary What I Wore What I Wore Wednesday Writing Writing Tips

Select a Month May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 December 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 April 2016 March 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 July 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz