Last Monday, the 14th, I’m just about to pack up my work and head home for the day when I get an email from a producer inquiring about my appearance on a national TV show. ‘Wow, how crazy,’ I chuckle to myself and aside from texting my wife and a couple of friends about the email, I basically dismiss the idea from my head, filed under flattered-to-have-been-offered-but-yeah-right. TV show guest?? That is so not me.
But somehow, one thing led to another, and I found myself on the phone with the producer that night for a “pre-interview” and travel plans in my inbox by the time I woke up the next day. Wednesday morning (of.that.same.week) my family of 5 is in the airport about to take our first cross-country trip for an appearance on The New Ricki Lake Show in California.
Talk about a whirlwind! Over the course of the next few days, I did about 100 things I never thought I’d ever do, including flying with 3 young children, being chauffeured around by a driver in LA, and sitting for a chat with a famous talk show host on national television. Fears, obligations, insecurities, and all other hindrances be damned – we said ‘YES’!
It was an adventure of a lifetime and the kids loved every minute of it – we all did!
Okay, so there was that hour of screaming 2-year-old on a packed plane, in which I was cursing my wife for talking me into the whole thing, but one way or another (3 chocolate chip cookies, 1 lollipop, and a Chuggington DVD) we survived and much more exciting moments awaited us.
As if all that weren’t enough, I finished out the week with 2 newspaper interviews and my second TV appearance, this time with Cara and Scot on Better Connecticut!
Have I mentioned this is so not me?? Except it was, and it is, because I took a chance and said ‘yes’.
After the show wrapped, an audience member complimented me on my composure then said, “Well, I guess if you can go from 0 to 3 kids and take babies with 2 hours notice, this is nothing for you!”
Yeah, I guess we do have a bit of flair for spontaneity and jumping in feet first. But you know what? I can’t think of a time when I’ve regretted pushing past my comfort zone and saying ‘yes’.
That one word has brought me some very wonderful things.
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