“Oh WOW!”
The exclamation I named this blog
doesn’t relate to my drawing of the 4th Street Elevator in Dubuque,
Iowa. While I have never forgotten my roots and enjoy drawing scenes from my
hometown, I refer the “Oh WOW” to
moments I stepped through opened doors and my life changed.
Years ago I gave speeches on
health-related topics across the country. At that time I was a physical
therapist and ergonomist. I taught others from the front of many a conference
room up on a stage wearing my suit. Being a member of the Central Florida and
National Speakers Associations, my public speaking skills became honed. In the
early 1990’s I started writing cowboy poetry. It was Christmas in 1994 that the
president of our speakers group suggested we entertain ourselves by appearing
before fellow members and do something we don’t normally do on the speaking
stage. The venue was our Christmas party.
When the crowd almost fell out of
their seats with laughter, I knew right then and there it was an “Oh Wow” moment. I replaced my suit
with spurs, chaps, cowboy hat and boots. Nearly twenty-five years later I am
still performing my Cowboy Comedy Show across America. I was honored when
the Governor and General Assembly designated me as the first-ever “Cowboy Poet
Laureate of Tennessee.”
The touch on my forearm decades
past snaps back in my mind like it happened seconds ago. It also was an “Oh WOW” moment. The respected
newspaper editor was my patient. While she rested on the treatment mat, I
shared another funny life story with her and was about to walk away.
She grabbed my right forearm and
looked me in the eye. “David, you have to write a book one day. You are an
excellent storyteller. Make sure you share those with others and write that
book.”
I wish Dell Lockwood sat next to
me right now. I suspect she’d smile when I told her I was a national
storyteller and an author of many books and have won national awards for my
short stories and my poems.
A little over a year ago I was
flipping from one video to another on You Tube and stopped to watch an artist
draw a tree with a pencil. I was mesmerized and intrigued watching him draw. I
followed along and became hooked. That too was an “OH WOW” moment in life for me. Several months later, I now have
two books of art and have begun teaching others how to draw. I enjoy sharing my
passions with others. I sell my prints and book on my web site.
Everyone has a talent and a gift.
Not everyone listens when the door of
opportunity in life opens. Discovering a new hobby is like Marco Polo stepping
on to another ship to explore new adventures. I challenge you to listen to that inner voice and feel the
“Oh WOW” rush over you like a
waterfall. You will know it when it happens. And you will smile if you step
through that open door.
No comments:
Post a Comment