“How did you know you were supposed to quit your job to start TWLOHA?”
“What was the hardest part? What’s been the best part?”
“Were you always comfortable being vulnerable, or was it a process?”
“I don’t have a big platform and I don’t have a lot of money. How can I make an impact?”
“How do I find my purpose?”
Since 2006 and especially in recent years, i’ve spent a lot of time answering questions. It’s become one of my favorite parts of what i get to do. Whether it’s a speaking event at a university or a book event at a bookstore, Q&A tends to be the highlight. Sometimes it’s a quiet night at home, i’ll end up on Twitter and simply ask if anyone has questions. It feels important to be available and to share whatever i can, and it's always a two-way street. Hearing from other people helps me believe i'm not alone. To quote Donald Miller, i'm reminded that "other people exist." Other people have feelings and questions and struggles and dreams. Other people are living their stories while i'm living mine.
People ask about mental health. People ask about writing. People ask about starting a non-profit. People ask about the highs and lows of everything that’s happened since TWLOHA began in 2006, and people ask about the days before TWLOHA as well.
i really enjoy being able to connect with people, and my hope is that folks walk away feeling encouraged. The challenge tends to be time. It can be difficult to give a question the answer it deserves in one minute or two tweets. There’s almost always a line of people or a curfew or a plane to catch.
HEART CAMP was basically born from this idea: What if instead of one minute we had two days?
What would it look like to get a small group of people together, to share everything i’ve learned and everything i’m passionate about?
What if folks were invited deep inside my work and deep inside my story, into not only the successes but the failures as well? Could i provide language and framework and ideas to help people start movements and chase dreams?
In a room of 40 individuals with common ground between them, could people also leave with one or two or ten new friends?
Welcome to HEART CAMP. We hope to see you soon!
