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Act Your Shoe Size, Not Your Age | Crystal Martens | TEDxChathamKent


[Music]

[Music] you

you

you [Music]

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[Music] you

hi everybody hi uh my name is crystal

hi everybody hi uh my name is crystal and my favorite color is green and my

and my favorite color is green and my

and my favorite color is green and my favorite kind of ice cream is cookie

favorite kind of ice cream is cookie

favorite kind of ice cream is cookie dough being a kid is awesome I’m sure

dough being a kid is awesome I’m sure

dough being a kid is awesome I’m sure all of you would agree right but the key

all of you would agree right but the key

all of you would agree right but the key we want to know is how can we harness

we want to know is how can we harness

we want to know is how can we harness all this wonderful energy of childhood

all this wonderful energy of childhood

all this wonderful energy of childhood into our everyday lives as adults

into our everyday lives as adults

into our everyday lives as adults growing up as a kid was a little hard

growing up as a kid was a little hard

growing up as a kid was a little hard for me I’m a little goofy if you

for me I’m a little goofy if you

for me I’m a little goofy if you couldn’t tell already in the first eight

couldn’t tell already in the first eight

couldn’t tell already in the first eight seconds I’ve been up here people would

seconds I’ve been up here people would

seconds I’ve been up here people would tell me over and over again act your age

tell me over and over again act your age

tell me over and over again act your age not your shoe size now I never really

not your shoe size now I never really

not your shoe size now I never really liked this statement it kind of implies

liked this statement it kind of implies

liked this statement it kind of implies that acting childish or younger than you

that acting childish or younger than you

that acting childish or younger than you are is somehow inappropriate or immoral

are is somehow inappropriate or immoral

are is somehow inappropriate or immoral or wrong and I don’t really agree with

or wrong and I don’t really agree with

or wrong and I don’t really agree with that I work with kids I volunteer with

that I work with kids I volunteer with

that I work with kids I volunteer with kids I’ve spent my whole life to

kids I’ve spent my whole life to

kids I’ve spent my whole life to studying children and trying to

studying children and trying to

studying children and trying to understand them and help them grow into

understand them and help them grow into

understand them and help them grow into the best people that they want to be the

the best people that they want to be the

the best people that they want to be the speeches you’ve heard today are amazing

speeches you’ve heard today are amazing

speeches you’ve heard today are amazing and inspiring but they’re all geared

and inspiring but they’re all geared

and inspiring but they’re all geared toward alts from adults from an adult

toward alts from adults from an adult

toward alts from adults from an adult mindset and I’m going to talk to you

mindset and I’m going to talk to you

mindset and I’m going to talk to you today about how to make your lives

today about how to make your lives

today about how to make your lives better as adults coming from a

better as adults coming from a

better as adults coming from a children’s perspective and it’s just as

children’s perspective and it’s just as

children’s perspective and it’s just as important as everything else we’ve

important as everything else we’ve

important as everything else we’ve learned here today ok now I’m going to

learned here today ok now I’m going to

learned here today ok now I’m going to tell you to do the opposite of what i

tell you to do the opposite of what i

tell you to do the opposite of what i was told growing up so instead of acting

was told growing up so instead of acting

was told growing up so instead of acting your age not your shoe size i’m going to

your age not your shoe size i’m going to

your age not your shoe size i’m going to encourage every one of you here to act

encourage every one of you here to act

encourage every one of you here to act your shoe size not your age first of all

your shoe size not your age first of all

your shoe size not your age first of all i’m sure you want to know who this

i’m sure you want to know who this

i’m sure you want to know who this weirdo is on stage who’s telling you to

weirdo is on stage who’s telling you to

weirdo is on stage who’s telling you to do things with your life my name is

do things with your life my name is

do things with your life my name is crystal martins

crystal martins

crystal martins I’m an artist I’m a Developmental

I’m an artist I’m a Developmental

I’m an artist I’m a Developmental Services worker I’m a nature lover I’m a

Services worker I’m a nature lover I’m a

Services worker I’m a nature lover I’m a substitute teacher for the Lambton Kent

substitute teacher for the Lambton Kent

substitute teacher for the Lambton Kent School Board here in this area I’m an

School Board here in this area I’m an

School Board here in this area I’m an early childhood educator I’m a face

early childhood educator I’m a face

early childhood educator I’m a face painter started my own face painting

painter started my own face painting

painter started my own face painting business and I’m a grown-up goofball I

business and I’m a grown-up goofball I

business and I’m a grown-up goofball I love dressing up anybody will tell you

love dressing up anybody will tell you

love dressing up anybody will tell you all you’ll find me in a costume or a wig

all you’ll find me in a costume or a wig

all you’ll find me in a costume or a wig whenever I get the slightest opportunity

whenever I get the slightest opportunity

whenever I get the slightest opportunity TEDx seemed like a pretty good

TEDx seemed like a pretty good

TEDx seemed like a pretty good opportunity to do that so I’m going to

opportunity to do that so I’m going to

opportunity to do that so I’m going to break it down for you how to act your

break it down for you how to act your

break it down for you how to act your shoe size not your age in eight simple

shoe size not your age in eight simple

shoe size not your age in eight simple steps step number one don’t make

steps step number one don’t make

steps step number one don’t make assumptions I’ve started off with a

assumptions I’ve started off with a

assumptions I’ve started off with a Steinbeck quote from his really famous

Steinbeck quote from his really famous

Steinbeck quote from his really famous buck East of Eden it’s an amazing book

buck East of Eden it’s an amazing book

buck East of Eden it’s an amazing book if you get a chance to read it the quote

if you get a chance to read it the quote

if you get a chance to read it the quote is there are no ugly questions except

is there are no ugly questions except

is there are no ugly questions except those clothes in condescension when I

those clothes in condescension when I

those clothes in condescension when I read this I stopped reading and I wrote

read this I stopped reading and I wrote

read this I stopped reading and I wrote it down because it was so profound to me

it down because it was so profound to me

it down because it was so profound to me I love this quote because it gives us

I love this quote because it gives us

I love this quote because it gives us permission to ask questions in today’s

permission to ask questions in today’s

permission to ask questions in today’s society we’re so quick to judge others

society we’re so quick to judge others

society we’re so quick to judge others and compare and make assumptions about

and compare and make assumptions about

and compare and make assumptions about someone based on how they look where

someone based on how they look where

someone based on how they look where they’re from how they act this quote

they’re from how they act this quote

they’re from how they act this quote says if you are genuinely interested in

says if you are genuinely interested in

says if you are genuinely interested in someone or in wanting to know something

someone or in wanting to know something

someone or in wanting to know something just ask children do this perfectly

just ask children do this perfectly

just ask children do this perfectly Brent hinted at it earlier and I loved

Brent hinted at it earlier and I loved

Brent hinted at it earlier and I loved when he said that put your hand up if

when he said that put your hand up if

when he said that put your hand up if you ever witnessed a conversation or

you ever witnessed a conversation or

you ever witnessed a conversation or been in one where a child has asked you

been in one where a child has asked you

been in one where a child has asked you a question you answer their question and

a question you answer their question and

a question you answer their question and then they go on to ask you why you say

then they go on to ask you why you say

then they go on to ask you why you say well blah blah blah and you explain it

well blah blah blah and you explain it

well blah blah blah and you explain it again and and they say yeah but why and

again and and they say yeah but why and

again and and they say yeah but why and this goes on over and over why why why

this goes on over and over why why why

this goes on over and over why why why usually what ends up happening is we get

usually what ends up happening is we get

usually what ends up happening is we get frustrated we say well just because just

frustrated we say well just because just

frustrated we say well just because just because I said so we get frustrated with

because I said so we get frustrated with

because I said so we get frustrated with the child but we forget to understand

the child but we forget to understand

the child but we forget to understand that this is how they function this is

that this is how they function this is

that this is how they function this is all they know is asking questions too

all they know is asking questions too

all they know is asking questions too understand the world around them imagine

understand the world around them imagine

understand the world around them imagine how our society would be if we all asked

how our society would be if we all asked

how our society would be if we all asked questions like that out of genuine

questions like that out of genuine

questions like that out of genuine sincerity without judgment or

sincerity without judgment or

sincerity without judgment or assumptions point number two spend time

assumptions point number two spend time

assumptions point number two spend time outside I’m a nature lover so it’s easy

outside I’m a nature lover so it’s easy

outside I’m a nature lover so it’s easy for me to say that I see lots of

for me to say that I see lots of

for me to say that I see lots of benefits we all know it’s good to get a

benefits we all know it’s good to get a

benefits we all know it’s good to get a little fresh air and to get exercise but

little fresh air and to get exercise but

little fresh air and to get exercise but this goes a little bit deeper with

this goes a little bit deeper with

this goes a little bit deeper with children in 2005 a study came out that

children in 2005 a study came out that

children in 2005 a study came out that was in a book and the author identified

was in a book and the author identified

was in a book and the author identified this disorder it’s called nature

this disorder it’s called nature

this disorder it’s called nature deficient deficit disorder sorry ndd and

deficient deficit disorder sorry ndd and

deficient deficit disorder sorry ndd and it’s characterized by human beings

it’s characterized by human beings

it’s characterized by human beings especially children spending less time

especially children spending less time

especially children spending less time outdoors which results in a wide range

outdoors which results in a wide range

outdoors which results in a wide range of behavioral problems there’s other

of behavioral problems there’s other

of behavioral problems there’s other things like it like anxiety and

things like it like anxiety and

things like it like anxiety and depression that develop as well just

depression that develop as well just

depression that develop as well just from not spending enough time outside

from not spending enough time outside

from not spending enough time outside their studies proving this now if

their studies proving this now if

their studies proving this now if they’re creating entire disorders based

they’re creating entire disorders based

they’re creating entire disorders based on children’s deficiency of outdoor

on children’s deficiency of outdoor

on children’s deficiency of outdoor access you can imagine what it’s doing

access you can imagine what it’s doing

access you can imagine what it’s doing to us so while we encourage children to

to us so while we encourage children to

to us so while we encourage children to get outside more let’s go outside with

get outside more let’s go outside with

get outside more let’s go outside with them be honest okay story time here

them be honest okay story time here

them be honest okay story time here three year old crystal was standing with

three year old crystal was standing with

three year old crystal was standing with her mother after church one day I was

her mother after church one day I was

her mother after church one day I was standing there while my mom talked to

standing there while my mom talked to

standing there while my mom talked to this older lady and I noticed that she

this older lady and I noticed that she

this older lady and I noticed that she had a bit of upper lip hair shall we say

had a bit of upper lip hair shall we say

had a bit of upper lip hair shall we say um I stood there staring at her

um I stood there staring at her

um I stood there staring at her wondering why what is going on I’ve

wondering why what is going on I’ve

wondering why what is going on I’ve never seen this before my mother kept

never seen this before my mother kept

never seen this before my mother kept eyeing me because she knew what she was

eyeing me because she knew what she was

eyeing me because she knew what she was thinking because she’s my mother

thinking because she’s my mother

thinking because she’s my mother eventually I tugged on her skirt and I

eventually I tugged on her skirt and I

eventually I tugged on her skirt and I said mommy I never seen a lady with a

said mommy I never seen a lady with a

said mommy I never seen a lady with a mustache before my mother was mortified

mustache before my mother was mortified

mustache before my mother was mortified luckily the woman was pretty gracious

luckily the woman was pretty gracious

luckily the woman was pretty gracious she laughed it off and she said oh

she laughed it off and she said oh

she laughed it off and she said oh you’ll see one day dear

you’ll see one day dear

you’ll see one day dear I suppose it’s my karmic demise that I

I suppose it’s my karmic demise that I

I suppose it’s my karmic demise that I now as a nearly 30 year old woman have

now as a nearly 30 year old woman have

now as a nearly 30 year old woman have to deal with issues of facial hair

to deal with issues of facial hair

to deal with issues of facial hair myself like most of the women in the

myself like most of the women in the

myself like most of the women in the world but that woman was gracious

world but that woman was gracious

world but that woman was gracious because she understood that I was just

because she understood that I was just

because she understood that I was just being honest I saw something and I said

being honest I saw something and I said

being honest I saw something and I said what was in my brain I think it’s so

what was in my brain I think it’s so

what was in my brain I think it’s so important for us to do this to live

important for us to do this to live

important for us to do this to live simply have you ever noticed that

simply have you ever noticed that

simply have you ever noticed that children are a lot like cats you buy

children are a lot like cats you buy

children are a lot like cats you buy them a big fancy expensive toy you pay

them a big fancy expensive toy you pay

them a big fancy expensive toy you pay lots of money for shipping it comes in

lots of money for shipping it comes in

lots of money for shipping it comes in you give it to them and they spend all

you give it to them and they spend all

you give it to them and they spend all their time playing with a cardboard box

their time playing with a cardboard box

their time playing with a cardboard box that it came in there’s a reason for

that it came in there’s a reason for

that it came in there’s a reason for this children and animals are wise they

this children and animals are wise they

this children and animals are wise they know that the key to happiness and

know that the key to happiness and

know that the key to happiness and having a good time is to live simply

having a good time is to live simply

having a good time is to live simply with children it’s all about imagination

with children it’s all about imagination

with children it’s all about imagination a cardboard box is a dragon it’s dad’s

a cardboard box is a dragon it’s dad’s

a cardboard box is a dragon it’s dad’s Volkswagen that they get to pretend to

Volkswagen that they get to pretend to

Volkswagen that they get to pretend to drive in it can be so many things in the

drive in it can be so many things in the

drive in it can be so many things in the education sector there’s a big push now

education sector there’s a big push now

education sector there’s a big push now and a movement towards play-based

and a movement towards play-based

and a movement towards play-based learning this basically means that the

learning this basically means that the

learning this basically means that the children play and we as educators

children play and we as educators

children play and we as educators observe them what they’re interested in

observe them what they’re interested in

observe them what they’re interested in we program to suit their interests and

we program to suit their interests and

we program to suit their interests and that’s how you get children engaged a

that’s how you get children engaged a

that’s how you get children engaged a part of this is also using loose parts

part of this is also using loose parts

part of this is also using loose parts such as sticks or leaves or things we

such as sticks or leaves or things we

such as sticks or leaves or things we find outside recycled items just things

find outside recycled items just things

find outside recycled items just things you never think of things you don’t even

you never think of things you don’t even

you never think of things you don’t even have to buy now this is so important

have to buy now this is so important

have to buy now this is so important because by giving children these random

because by giving children these random

because by giving children these random materials we’re allowing them to express

materials we’re allowing them to express

materials we’re allowing them to express their creativity through these parts

their creativity through these parts

their creativity through these parts usually toys are designed with a

usually toys are designed with a

usually toys are designed with a specific intent in pert a specific

specific intent in pert a specific

specific intent in pert a specific purpose that just doesn’t have the same

purpose that just doesn’t have the same

purpose that just doesn’t have the same results as loose parts

this one’s my favorite eat what you like

this one’s my favorite eat what you like until you’re full it’s pretty simple

until you’re full it’s pretty simple

until you’re full it’s pretty simple food is amazing and life is short right

food is amazing and life is short right

food is amazing and life is short right yeah you’re laughing cuz it’s true you

yeah you’re laughing cuz it’s true you

yeah you’re laughing cuz it’s true you know it’s probably the best part of life

devour the donut chomp the cheesecake

devour the donut chomp the cheesecake engulf the enchilada okay you get the

engulf the enchilada okay you get the

engulf the enchilada okay you get the point as adults we spend so much time

point as adults we spend so much time

point as adults we spend so much time worrying about caloric intake and

worrying about caloric intake and

worrying about caloric intake and burning off enough calories when we’re

burning off enough calories when we’re

burning off enough calories when we’re exercising to compensate for eating the

exercising to compensate for eating the

exercising to compensate for eating the things we want we forget and we lose

things we want we forget and we lose

things we want we forget and we lose track of that intuitive eating that

track of that intuitive eating that

track of that intuitive eating that tells us we’re hungry or were full

tells us we’re hungry or were full

tells us we’re hungry or were full children don’t they know exactly when

children don’t they know exactly when

children don’t they know exactly when they’re hungry they’ll be cranky and

they’re hungry they’ll be cranky and

they’re hungry they’ll be cranky and they’ll tell you they’re hungry and they

they’ll tell you they’re hungry and they

they’ll tell you they’re hungry and they will want food ASAP when they’re done

will want food ASAP when they’re done

will want food ASAP when they’re done eating they’ll tell you and then they’ll

eating they’ll tell you and then they’ll

eating they’ll tell you and then they’ll stop let’s get back to that and then you

stop let’s get back to that and then you

stop let’s get back to that and then you can go have that cinnabon you were a

can go have that cinnabon you were a

can go have that cinnabon you were a craving after the show practice kindness

craving after the show practice kindness

craving after the show practice kindness and forgiveness number six last year my

and forgiveness number six last year my

and forgiveness number six last year my friend Liz stood on this very same stage

friend Liz stood on this very same stage

friend Liz stood on this very same stage in her sparkly pink sneakers and she

in her sparkly pink sneakers and she

in her sparkly pink sneakers and she told us that being kind is more

told us that being kind is more

told us that being kind is more important than eating than food and I

important than eating than food and I

important than eating than food and I believeth believe her wholeheartedly you

believeth believe her wholeheartedly you

believeth believe her wholeheartedly you should check it check out her speech

should check it check out her speech

should check it check out her speech because she articulates it better than I

because she articulates it better than I

because she articulates it better than I ever could basically the point is we can

ever could basically the point is we can

ever could basically the point is we can do so much more when we are kind to one

do so much more when we are kind to one

do so much more when we are kind to one another part of being kind is also

another part of being kind is also

another part of being kind is also forgiveness forgiving others forgiving

forgiveness forgiving others forgiving

forgiveness forgiving others forgiving ourselves excuse me there’s been a

ourselves excuse me there’s been a

ourselves excuse me there’s been a number of times in my work where

number of times in my work where

number of times in my work where children have been fighting and arguing

children have been fighting and arguing

children have been fighting and arguing sometimes even physically fighting I

sometimes even physically fighting I

sometimes even physically fighting I rush over to go see what the problem is

rush over to go see what the problem is

rush over to go see what the problem is and try to help and interject and before

and try to help and interject and before

and try to help and interject and before I can even say anything or figure out

I can even say anything or figure out

I can even say anything or figure out what’s going on they’ve forgiven

what’s going on they’ve forgiven

what’s going on they’ve forgiven themselves and they’re besties again

themselves and they’re besties again

themselves and they’re besties again enemies two best friends in a matter of

enemies two best friends in a matter of

enemies two best friends in a matter of minutes and they do it all themselves

minutes and they do it all themselves

minutes and they do it all themselves children show us that forgiveness and

children show us that forgiveness and

children show us that forgiveness and kindness really is that simple

okay a couple numbers here it’s not all

okay a couple numbers here it’s not all just fuzzy stories ninety percent of a

just fuzzy stories ninety percent of a

just fuzzy stories ninety percent of a child’s brain develops before the age of

child’s brain develops before the age of

child’s brain develops before the age of five I don’t know what other kind of

five I don’t know what other kind of

five I don’t know what other kind of numbers i need to give to you to show

numbers i need to give to you to show

numbers i need to give to you to show how how important those first formative

how how important those first formative

how how important those first formative years are why are we not focusing on

years are why are we not focusing on

years are why are we not focusing on what we were like in those first couple

what we were like in those first couple

what we were like in those first couple of years when it’s ninety percent of our

of years when it’s ninety percent of our

of years when it’s ninety percent of our brain is developed in that time period

do things before you are ready I really

do things before you are ready I really want you to look at this picture

want you to look at this picture

want you to look at this picture children will literally leap before they

children will literally leap before they

children will literally leap before they look I guarantee you this boy did not

look I guarantee you this boy did not

look I guarantee you this boy did not take a second to think about what he was

take a second to think about what he was

take a second to think about what he was doing he saw something and he left he

doing he saw something and he left he

doing he saw something and he left he didn’t think about the safety parameters

didn’t think about the safety parameters

didn’t think about the safety parameters or anything like that he just went for

or anything like that he just went for

or anything like that he just went for it it’s important for us to do this I’ve

it it’s important for us to do this I’ve

it it’s important for us to do this I’ve seen toddlers run before they can walk

seen toddlers run before they can walk

seen toddlers run before they can walk literally they will start charging

literally they will start charging

literally they will start charging before they’ve even learned how to walk

before they’ve even learned how to walk

before they’ve even learned how to walk now this might sound unsafe and one

now this might sound unsafe and one

now this might sound unsafe and one hundred percent of the time they do fall

hundred percent of the time they do fall

hundred percent of the time they do fall it’s kind of science i think but i think

it’s kind of science i think but i think

it’s kind of science i think but i think they learn more important lessons by

they learn more important lessons by

they learn more important lessons by doing this as adults sometimes we get

doing this as adults sometimes we get

doing this as adults sometimes we get really comfortable we have an idea or

really comfortable we have an idea or

really comfortable we have an idea or something we want to do we say yeah okay

something we want to do we say yeah okay

something we want to do we say yeah okay will do this and then we cozy up and we

will do this and then we cozy up and we

will do this and then we cozy up and we get really nice and comfortable in one

get really nice and comfortable in one

get really nice and comfortable in one spot and we’ll stay there and we might

spot and we’ll stay there and we might

spot and we’ll stay there and we might make excuses for ourselves and we might

make excuses for ourselves and we might

make excuses for ourselves and we might end up eventually forgetting what it was

end up eventually forgetting what it was

end up eventually forgetting what it was we wanted to do or even worse we talk

we wanted to do or even worse we talk

we wanted to do or even worse we talk ourselves out of it all together until

ourselves out of it all together until

ourselves out of it all together until that thing we wanted to do is gone so

that thing we wanted to do is gone so

that thing we wanted to do is gone so act like a kid run before you can walk

act like a kid run before you can walk

act like a kid run before you can walk don’t get comfortable leap before you

don’t get comfortable leap before you

don’t get comfortable leap before you look this is my last point do what you

look this is my last point do what you

look this is my last point do what you want it was mentioned earlier talking

want it was mentioned earlier talking

want it was mentioned earlier talking about just doing it and things like that

about just doing it and things like that

about just doing it and things like that and I loved when I heard that it sounds

and I loved when I heard that it sounds

and I loved when I heard that it sounds kind of selfish it comes across that way

kind of selfish it comes across that way

kind of selfish it comes across that way do

do

do what you want but it’s really important

what you want but it’s really important

what you want but it’s really important to do in my work and volunteering work

to do in my work and volunteering work

to do in my work and volunteering work I’ve noticed that and I’ve made the

I’ve noticed that and I’ve made the

I’ve noticed that and I’ve made the mistake of picking up a child to play

mistake of picking up a child to play

mistake of picking up a child to play with them or give them a piggyback it’s

with them or give them a piggyback it’s

with them or give them a piggyback it’s a mistake because then six other kids

a mistake because then six other kids

a mistake because then six other kids run up to me and want to do the same

run up to me and want to do the same

run up to me and want to do the same thing they will rush over and go up up

thing they will rush over and go up up

thing they will rush over and go up up up my turn my turn and I’m like oh my

up my turn my turn and I’m like oh my

up my turn my turn and I’m like oh my gosh my back is killing me I can’t do

gosh my back is killing me I can’t do

gosh my back is killing me I can’t do this six more times but it’s that spirit

this six more times but it’s that spirit

this six more times but it’s that spirit that I love that these kids see

that I love that these kids see

that I love that these kids see something it’s so fun to them fun

something it’s so fun to them fun

something it’s so fun to them fun looking and they just want to do it I’m

looking and they just want to do it I’m

looking and they just want to do it I’m going to tell you a couple examples in

going to tell you a couple examples in

going to tell you a couple examples in my own life where this has worked out

my own life where this has worked out

my own life where this has worked out for me growing up as a kid I had a

for me growing up as a kid I had a

for me growing up as a kid I had a sister and she was always labeled as the

sister and she was always labeled as the

sister and she was always labeled as the artist of the family she is an amazing

artist of the family she is an amazing

artist of the family she is an amazing artist by the way but that label stuck

artist by the way but that label stuck

artist by the way but that label stuck to her and I always just associated art

to her and I always just associated art

to her and I always just associated art with her I never thought that that was

with her I never thought that that was

with her I never thought that that was something I could do the last few years

something I could do the last few years

something I could do the last few years I’ve gone to more art shows and I’ve

I’ve gone to more art shows and I’ve

I’ve gone to more art shows and I’ve started kind of doing some stuff myself

started kind of doing some stuff myself

started kind of doing some stuff myself and my natural talents have been coming

and my natural talents have been coming

and my natural talents have been coming out now I’m proud to say that some of my

out now I’m proud to say that some of my

out now I’m proud to say that some of my pieces that I’ve done in the last few

pieces that I’ve done in the last few

pieces that I’ve done in the last few months are going to be shown at the

months are going to be shown at the

months are going to be shown at the local juried exhibit in November here in

local juried exhibit in November here in

local juried exhibit in November here in my hometown this is incredibly proud for

my hometown this is incredibly proud for

my hometown this is incredibly proud for me someone who a few short years ago

me someone who a few short years ago

me someone who a few short years ago would never have said I was an artist

would never have said I was an artist

would never have said I was an artist but I got the idea I looked at those

but I got the idea I looked at those

but I got the idea I looked at those paintings and I said I want to do that

speaking of TEDx events my musical hero

speaking of TEDx events my musical hero Amanda Palmer did a TED talk on YouTube

Amanda Palmer did a TED talk on YouTube

Amanda Palmer did a TED talk on YouTube a few years ago I watched she talked

a few years ago I watched she talked

a few years ago I watched she talked about the power of asking asking for

about the power of asking asking for

about the power of asking asking for help asking what you need it’s amazing

help asking what you need it’s amazing

help asking what you need it’s amazing you should watch it I thought oh a TED

you should watch it I thought oh a TED

you should watch it I thought oh a TED talk I’ve never heard of that that

talk I’ve never heard of that that

talk I’ve never heard of that that sounds fun that was really inspiring she

sounds fun that was really inspiring she

sounds fun that was really inspiring she also put out an album of radiohead cover

also put out an album of radiohead cover

also put out an album of radiohead cover songs done entirely on the ukulele I

songs done entirely on the ukulele I

songs done entirely on the ukulele I listen to that CD / and all

listen to that CD / and all

listen to that CD / and all over and over again in my car and i

over and over again in my car and i

over and over again in my car and i loved it i thought the ukulele I never

loved it i thought the ukulele I never

loved it i thought the ukulele I never thought of that I want to do that

thought of that I want to do that

thought of that I want to do that interestingly enough i looked up who

interestingly enough i looked up who

interestingly enough i looked up who could teach me how to do that i took a

could teach me how to do that i took a

could teach me how to do that i took a few lessons with our very own Chris

few lessons with our very own Chris

few lessons with our very own Chris Rupert who’s here today and I taught

Rupert who’s here today and I taught

Rupert who’s here today and I taught myself a little bit of tab from YouTube

myself a little bit of tab from YouTube

myself a little bit of tab from YouTube and now i know enough songs on the

and now i know enough songs on the

and now i know enough songs on the ukulele that i can play some four

ukulele that i can play some four

ukulele that i can play some four children and annoy the heck out of my

children and annoy the heck out of my

children and annoy the heck out of my friends and family so huzzah I know they

friends and family so huzzah I know they

friends and family so huzzah I know they were so happy that I brought that here

were so happy that I brought that here

were so happy that I brought that here today last year i sat in the same seat

today last year i sat in the same seat

today last year i sat in the same seat that you’re sitting in now not all of

that you’re sitting in now not all of

that you’re sitting in now not all of them just one I listened to two separate

them just one I listened to two separate

them just one I listened to two separate teachers for the same school board I

teachers for the same school board I

teachers for the same school board I work for now talk about their love of

work for now talk about their love of

work for now talk about their love of education and what they were doing in

education and what they were doing in

education and what they were doing in the classroom to get students more

the classroom to get students more

the classroom to get students more engaged it was inspiring it was

engaged it was inspiring it was

engaged it was inspiring it was motivating I wanted to do more with my

motivating I wanted to do more with my

motivating I wanted to do more with my career I talked to them after since last

career I talked to them after since last

career I talked to them after since last year I’ve had the fortunate ability to

year I’ve had the fortunate ability to

year I’ve had the fortunate ability to supply teach in both their classrooms

supply teach in both their classrooms

supply teach in both their classrooms and now we’re good friends I looked at

and now we’re good friends I looked at

and now we’re good friends I looked at them on stage and heard what they were

them on stage and heard what they were

them on stage and heard what they were doing in the same field that i’m in i

doing in the same field that i’m in i

doing in the same field that i’m in i said i want to do that it was the

said i want to do that it was the

said i want to do that it was the equivalent of me reaching up i want to

equivalent of me reaching up i want to

equivalent of me reaching up i want to do that and now here I am children show

do that and now here I am children show

do that and now here I am children show us these things if we’re slow enough

us these things if we’re slow enough

us these things if we’re slow enough quiet enough wise enough to listen it’s

quiet enough wise enough to listen it’s

quiet enough wise enough to listen it’s not complicated or convoluted it’s just

not complicated or convoluted it’s just

not complicated or convoluted it’s just about getting back to our roots acting

about getting back to our roots acting

about getting back to our roots acting like our 10 year old selves our five

like our 10 year old selves our five

like our 10 year old selves our five year old selves going for those dreams

year old selves going for those dreams

year old selves going for those dreams and desires we had act your shoe size

and desires we had act your shoe size

and desires we had act your shoe size not your age and now in the spirit of

not your age and now in the spirit of

not your age and now in the spirit of doing something before I’m entirely

doing something before I’m entirely

doing something before I’m entirely ready and doing something just because I

ready and doing something just because I

ready and doing something just because I want to do it I’m going to ask for a

want to do it I’m going to ask for a

want to do it I’m going to ask for a little bit of audience participation

awesome you’re all Naturals go see Chris

awesome you’re all Naturals go see Chris after four lessons one more thing i’m

after four lessons one more thing i’m

after four lessons one more thing i’m going to ask of you please take a look

going to ask of you please take a look

going to ask of you please take a look at the bottom of your shoe right now

at the bottom of your shoe right now

at the bottom of your shoe right now read the number and act accordingly

read the number and act accordingly

read the number and act accordingly thank you

”

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