I think reflection on your personal experiences helps you piece together the truths about yourself. I was just thinking of more Heather trends lately, trying to figure out why I was so engrained into connecting with people through communication and advertising for what feels like my entire life. It was always something I dreamed of doing. Advertising.
I remember my mom recalling this story throughout my life, sharing it with my colleagues over the years. She explains that I was sitting up on the bar table, and I was a toddler. I had a big bowl of grapes and I kept swirling them around and would say ‘pick me, pick me’ and grab one to eat that responded to me to choose it.
She added further proof of my destined career choice that as a child, all during my single digit years, I hadn’t been too interested in watching TV. Keep in mind back then we did not have the 305+ channels and kid friendly shows were only available on Saturday mornings and before school. Otherwise, the TV was what the whole household watched. All three channels.
I rather played on my own, imagining and active, yet I would drop whatever I was doing to be mesmerized when there was a catchy jingle commercial. I’d run to that TV and followed along, acting out the commercials. After the ads ended, I went back to my own play.
The first memory I have of reaching out for a direct response was the concept of a message in a bottle.
That was so big to me. We lived right near the Ohio river and I could walk to it and I remember putting messages inside of glass pop bottles and sending them off.
Now, I wasn’t thinking about the obvious – that measurable call to action – like maybe I should’ve provided my address or my phone number so I’d known it was recovered. At that age, they were my written messages that I hoped people would get and know I was there and so were they. Together on this earth and seeking messages in bottles.
I can’t remember the exact content i wrote and placed inside them, only that I wrote positive messages a few times to say Hi, and my name and I hoped they were happy too.
Next, oh my, was school activities such as everyone getting a helium balloon and a tag! You filled out the tag and put your name and your school on it.
Together, we all went outside and let them go. Sailing up into the sky, wondering where they would float to.
Many kids heard back, letters were sent as requested on the tag to tell us you got it, and where you lived when you found the balloon.
I didn’t get a response.
I’m not sure where my ballon(s) landed.
It was like playing bingo.
Throughout my professional life, getting a response to know your messaging was impactful became fun challenges to me. We sent purls and mail and email and codes and links and many more targeted geo fenced ideas all in the attempt to…. Get a response.
Take action.
Motivate another to connect with us. Help my clients succeed.
And boy did we do a lot of amazing things for a lot of businesses.
Today?
I’m not sure what the recipe is anymore.
Yet the key is based on what you put into the atmosphere, that someone experienced it and was compelled to become a part of it somehow.
What response you want is still relevant today. Except I’ve changed.
I hope to keep helping others seek that love for a response. Rather than seeking ROI, It’s back to the most important. Connecting others.
Some of my most fun creations leading to responses is art from Seek the Truth – Sasquatch series.
Be the truth art – Grandma Viv inspired me to begin making repurposed bird feeders and indoor plants with fine china. and Dolly Parton’s it’s Hard to be a Diamond in a Rhinestone World keeps me grounded in being truth.
Know the Truth art – Being the light, the sunshine and the heart of loving is the closest example to what I believe the story of Jesus and Faith is.
I cling to always finding truth – staying open, asking questions, being curious and then, I reflect on the beautiful innocence a grandma’s love brings to you as well as standing up for what you believe in.
I’m a grandma now.
Something my Grandma said that I clung to since I was about 14 was the time when I talked to her about bad behaved people in church. She said – You can put a turd in a cookie jar, that doesn’t make it a cookie.
Be yourself. Find yourself. Step back from society and listen to yourself.
Your soul and bodysuit were paired together without your consent, you’re here in your suit until you’re not and it’s up to you to be true to it and find your purpose versus s the job that covers your bills.
The most important of all is my strongest belief and proof and testimony that there is a God and the sunshine is beautiful and our souls crave it and our connectedness and love rules all and prayer will set us all apart form what we see in the rich and famous today.
We all agree that little did we know, there’s no difference between the News, Wheel of Fortune, Judge Judy, News or The Today show.
Everything is just a cast of actors and is compromised and no one on the other side of these screens will be there for you or respond to be a part of your story.
We live in as the world turns, full of jingles I no longer stop to sing along to.
It’s just us, and that’s ok.
Start where you are. See your reach and your message and determine who matters to you and what responses are key to fulfilling your life.
Mail that letter. Make that phone call. Be the person that every human connected to you will know is standing for truth and love and the rest will write itself.
You have no idea how many people out there feel like they sailed their balloon up and wait patiently to hear from you.
You are loved.
What’s best is sometimes you may not get a response.
Sometimes I get a response and I don’t even remember what I did to touch their heart or memory.
The best responses come from expecting no response at all ❤️
Thanks for reading,
Heather
