The Bliss DID NOT stop the moment I left the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.
It did not stop when I hugged Angela England goodbye as we parted ways at the airport towards our respective gates.
The Bliss did not stop when I sat and fought the airport wifi during my layover in Chicago and tweeted with those still in Nashville and those on their way home.
The Bliss even rolled on while I stood outside the airport looking out over the freezing Ohio sky and received a text from Angela letting me know she was home snuggling her children.
To even IMPLY that the Bliss from the Blissdom conference is over because I’m no longer looking at the lovely faces of the women I’ve networked with and blogged with over the course of this last year, would be a great disservice to MY TRIBE.
I’m jumping out on a limb by saying that the Bliss is actually just beginning; for me and hopefully for the women I met and spent three delicious days with.
As Kevin Carroll, our opening Keynote speaker said, “Your shining moment awaits you”.
I've hung up my Blissdom Badge but not ready to let the Bliss end.
I’d like to believe that. I find comfort and hope in knowing that our shining moments have yet to be discovered. Blissdom taught me, if nothing else, that our moments will be what we make of them. We have yet to discover them because we are still climbing our hills and working our ways through the valleys that fill our blogging and writing journeys.
An overwhelming theme that I saw rolling out in front of me as I contemplated who I was, what my brand was about, and where I wanted to take things was that there is no wrong answer. I received good information on not showing my ass on twitter (which I will probably continue to do, so if you follow me, be forewarned because it happens on occasion), on not writing a negative post or review (which I can promise that I will always aim for truth over negativity), and that I am completely and utterly Okay with what I’ve done so far.
I thought that I would have deep meaningful conversations with my blog friends about all things blog and business.
I was wrong and I’m so utterly glad that I was.
Instead, we cried together (I take the blame for that at dinner on Saturday night. Sorry ladies), we laughed together, we talked about our kids, their births, our families… we shared BLISS.
I’ve been told (mostly by my mom) that I write beautifully, that I express myself very well but I have to disagree with her right now.
You can’t express Bliss.
You have to feel it.
You have to feel it’s arms wrapping around you like a long-lost friend, or a hug that’s been waiting for decades to be given. You have to feel its presence and unwrap it slowly, breathing in every moment like it’s the last breath you’ll take on earth. You have to allow Bliss to let you tune out and let the voices in the background fall away till you just hear the sound of your own breathing, your own thoughts. It overcomes you in moments you don’t realize. You find yourself leaning in closer to listen to the sounds of people’s voices; not because the room is crowded and it’s hard to hear but because you know that this is your chance.
This is your chance to meet your tribe and take in every moment of the time you share together.
Bliss has a way of sneaking up on you and making you take notice. It mesmerizes you and captivates you. It scoops you up in its arms and makes you feel like you are FULFILLED, there is no emptiness or insecurity. There is nothing more you need or want.
If you felt even a fraction of the fulfillment, the joy and peace then there is only one more thing to say…
You have felt BLISS.
At first I thought I’d write this post and be done with my Blissdom recap but there is so much to say so I’ve decided to make this the first of a three part series of posts. I invite you to keep reading (become a subscriber… seriously) because I’ll be highlighting moments, thoughts, and my takeaways both here, at my other site Chaos in the Country, and at LifetimeMoms.com whom I’d like to thank for being my sponsor.
I enjoyed every moment I got to spend with you! Beautiful recap and can’t wait for the rest!
.-= Melissa Multitasking Mama´s last blog ..Organized Grocery Shopping =-.
Bliss was you coming up to me in the Jack Daniel’s Saloon and saying “Erica!” No question… you knew me!
From that moment on, I knew I was going to have a blissful time!
.-= Erica Mueller´s last blog ..My Laptop Smells Like Coffee =-.
I can barely skype you now. I just want to talk to you and see you. Sometimes I think the conferences are torture because we have to leave each other.
Aww, I love this post!! Sums it up in just the right way. And yeah, I wrote that pity-party post while I was having a down moment, but overall the whole experience of Blissdom was awesome! And I’m glad I met someone else just as silly, crazy, and cooky as I am, can’t wait to hang with you again.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Winners =-.
I think we’re all subject to a pity party now and then. No worries at all! I do love you and adore you though, there’s no doubt about that.
.-= Nikki´s last blog ..Oh dear 2009, where did you go? =-.