I recently called the principal of my hometown high school before Christmas. I told him who I was and that I was a former student, and that I would like to give a talk to the students about finding their dreams. I said I had succeeded somewhat in my field, mentioned the book, but told him I wouldn’t be selling anything with the talk. Just said I wanted to tell them I’m from where you are, I went out with this vision, and this is how I put in the work to make it happen. He told me to call back after Christmas and we would plan something.
So I did. Mid-January. I think he was surprised to hear back from me. He looked at the school calendar, and he found me a Friday morning where he could arrange for me to speak to the graduating seniors and tell my story.
Why am I bothering? I’m not even going to hand out my bookmarks unless someone asks me directly how to buy the book. I’m not going to make any money. So why?
The only inspirational speakers I ever remember coming to my school when I was there were trusties from the state penitentiary. They told us how they wound up in jail and to not do what they did or we would, too. (The 80s were a very strange time in lots of ways) We all pretty well got that message.
But what if someone had ever come and said, “It’s okay to have big dreams! It’s okay to want more for yourself that what you see around you! You can do it!” That would have lifted my heart immensely. Especially someone I could identify with, like me.
So that’s what I want to do for these kids. I have no illusions that they’ll be excited or if they’ll even listen. But maybe I can plant that spark in somebody. I’m going to try.
Julie Liddell Whitehead 