Step back and rise up

I was approached directly for this one, and I still do not quite know how to explain what that meant without sounding self-congratulatory, but I will try.

This is someone with a broad, high calibre network, and they chose to come to me, handing over something that mattered enormously to them, with complete creative freedom.

Being trusted like that, having that belief in me and my ability, meant more than they will ever know.

Going through the footage this week, there is one moment that completely floored me.

It came just after the violinist finished her first chorus.

As I had choreographed, she turned and walked into the shed, leading everyone to what was about to become the dance floor.

This particular piece of footage was filmed by someone towards the back of the crowd.

Unbeknownst to them, they happened to capture a beautiful moment where the bloke in front of them puts his arm around the guy next to him, and they follow the crowd in together, backlit by the production light, to the soulful lyrics of Rise Up by Andra Day.

It was such a beautiful, unplanned moment.

You can put an event together, you can design every detail of the experience, but you cannot control how people will emotionally respond.

I am so grateful this tiny magical moment was captured, because watching it back gave me more joy than the project fee and thank you gifts combined.

It is interesting timing, because I have spent the better part of the last year finding it difficult to articulate what I do work-wise in a concise sentence.

Despite always being able to find the thread in everyone else’s work, I was blinded looking at my own.

Watching that footage, it finally hit properly for the first time.

This is what I do. This is what I love.

Creating beautiful experiences and moments that bring people together, crafting magical memories.

The featured song itself has had me thinking about what it takes for someone to rise up, how often it starts with somebody else stepping back and letting them, instilling your faith in others’ abilities.

Control freak tendencies, I most certainly have.

I notice it most with my daughter, holding her back from climbing too high, or stopping her before she makes a mess I will have to clean up.

Lately, I have been trying to step back instead, and give her that same space I was given, and it has taught me something.

There is real possibility in simply stepping back and letting other people rise.

You might have an adult child finding their feet, a self-doubting grandchild, a colleague with bright ideas, someone you volunteer alongside with all the passion in the world.

Give them the room, your faith, and watch what happens.

The video is still being edited, but it should be live on socials and my website by print.

Watch for the violinist.

I wonder if the moment makes you feel something like I did.

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