My Mrs. Alaska Pageant Experience
All experience is an arch to build upon. Henry Adams
I'll never forget standing on stage in my evening gown with sweaty palms as I waited for the name of the winner to be read. I know that deep down inside of each of the beautiful women on stage with me that night there was a silent prayer, "Please, let it be me!" Each one of us was there because we all knew we had what it takes to win. But there could be only one winner. Each of us needed that experience for different reasons. No matter what the outcome, each one of us was already a winner in the eyes of our family and friends.
As I looked out over the extraordinary women with which I had just shared two incredible days of my life, I could not help but feel gratitude for the love, friendship and comradeship they had all shared with me. Then as Tracy's name was read and I realized I wasn't the winner, I had to reach deep down inside and tell myself, "That's okay. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Tracy deserves to win. At least I'm better off for having had this experience." This immediate mental shift strengthened me. It helped me walk away from that pageant a more confident woman.
I know that there are times in our lives when we are led to do things, not for the reason we first think, but for something else that turns out to be more important in the long run. This experience was a stepping stone. It has helped me overcome my fear of publicity. I will always look upon it with appreciation and gratitude.
As I looked out over the extraordinary women with which I had just shared two incredible days of my life, I could not help but feel gratitude for the love, friendship and comradeship they had all shared with me. Then as Tracy's name was read and I realized I wasn't the winner, I had to reach deep down inside and tell myself, "That's okay. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Tracy deserves to win. At least I'm better off for having had this experience." This immediate mental shift strengthened me. It helped me walk away from that pageant a more confident woman.
I know that there are times in our lives when we are led to do things, not for the reason we first think, but for something else that turns out to be more important in the long run. This experience was a stepping stone. It has helped me overcome my fear of publicity. I will always look upon it with appreciation and gratitude.
It's hard taking a step into the spotlight. You were a winner the moment you took that step. I like working in the background. It's so much less threatening. Strangely, since I retired, about a year sgo, that has started to change. I would have never imagined that I would increase in confidence and sureness as I aged. Pretty exciting.
ReplyDelete(I'm Regina from Kilauea Poetry) Sounds like a wild experience..and you were able to enjoy it and come away with something meaningful for the journey. I'd be nervous but you look confident and very pretty too..
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful day-