In our lives we will be facing disappointment. Something happens that doesn’t meet our expectations. Last week I faced one of those times as I sat with close friends in nervous anticipation of being aired on National TV for the first time on the OWN network..and then it happened. I wasn’t there. What happened?
I did have this intuition, you might call fear that something wasn’t right and I might be facing disappointment. Perhaps it was not being able to picture myself sharing my story of betrayal that led to my message of living judgment-free on this new Life Story Project show amidst the more heart-wrenching stories I had seen on earlier shows.
Because the host Andrea Syrtash was a fellow CTI coach we had connected, and the next morning an email came in from her: “I saw last night’s episode and was bummed to see that you, and many others I interviewed weren’t in the final cut…just so you know, the first time I was booked to be on The Today Show in 2006, I announced it to the world and then was bumped at the last minute by Bill Clinton!” Lesson learned.
What surprised me was this was an “Oprah show”, where 8,000 fans lined up to see her in Toronto (me included), and someone came around with a casting card requesting stories, which my friends grabbed, and handed to me! It took some time before I decided to write in, but as the deadline approached, I went with “there must be a reason”, then forgot about it.
A few weeks later, I got a call & I couldn’t figure out who it was until she finally said “you sent your story in for a new show on OWN…” Oh yeah…she interviewed me over the phone, then “I’ll get back to you”. Am I really going to do this?
Soon an email showed up: “CONGRATULATIONS...You have been selected to be a part of the new documentary television series on the TRUTH for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada)! We are thrilled and honoured to have you share your personal story and experience with us.” Seriously? Then came arranging the shoot, what to wear, meeting the producer, the crew – no where did anyone say “you might not be in the final cut”…had I known that tidbit of information I would not have “shared it with the world”, including our local newspaper!!
It was in the fine print of the release form. I wrote to Andrea, and the producer sharing my disappointment, and what I felt was a lack of transparency – vital to business relationships. I received immediate apologies, and “I’ve strongly communicated your feedback to the team and asked that in the future, expectations are set more transparently for the people who take the time to share their amazing stories”.
My friend commented, ‘wow, you handled it really well considering.’ It was out of my control, and obviously something I needed to learn. Sure it was disappointing, but afterwards we ended up having this amazing authentic conversation over wine, and yummy munchies (thx so much Brenda for hosting in your gorgeous home with the biggest couch I’ve ever seen).
I ended up sharing my betrayal story in person and facing disappointment – it will be my next blog so stay tuned! It led to my friends sharing some of their personal experiences. The power of a judgment-free space! We created our own ‘life story project’: ) I do believe things happen for a reason, and when you see life this way, it’s much easier to let go and flow with the ups and downs, learning, and growing along the way. And, facing disappointment also becomes easier.
A very special thanks to ALL OF YOU who continue to support me in watching, listening, and celebrating this journey.
P.S. It helped getting an email today from JD Messinger “I just love your video on creating a judgement free world. We are working on some programs..please stay in touch. I am particularly interested in you …”. It kind of made my day : )
