Author’s Note: The events you are about to read are 100% true.  Some have only heard me tell the tale and even fewer still were eyewitnesses.  Whether or not you have already heard my story, please stay tuned to the end because other than talking about one of the top ten best days of my life, I have a point that relates to you.  So hang tight!

And here we go…

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an American Idol fan to the nth degree.  I’ve been a fan since I first saw Kelly Clarkson belt out “Natural Woman” and I stayed a fan through the horrors of Sanjaya, Danny Noriega, and pretty much all of season nine.  And for the record, I’m digging this new season with J-Lo and Steven Tyler – there’s a lot more heart, hair, and flair at the judge’s table now. (Cue Steven Tyler scream: “Waaaaaaooooooohhhhh!!!)

Over the years, my world has intersected with the AI world.  I’ve been to the taping of one finale, I’ve attended regular tapings, and I’ve also seen a couple of the former Idols in concert.  Not too bad for your average AI fan.

Interview Day at KKGO in Westwood, CA - 11/17/09

And just when I thought my fan experience had reached its pique, season eight, Danny Gokey, and a God-appointed internship at a major news network (hint: starts with a “C” and ends with two “N”s) came along.

The short of the long of it (really, I promise) is that I was a fan of Gokey’s from the second I saw him.  Even before the Seacrest voiceover started telling his story, I knew right away I would be a fan.  So, to say I was disappointed when he got cut before his time (even though he made it all the way to the top three) is a HUGE understatement.  Lucky for me, this wouldn’t be the last time I would see or hear him.

Fast-forward to the following November.  Through an unforeseen, miraculous series of events, I found myself sitting across from him, trying to hold it together while conducting my first professional interview.  Thankfully, he was just as warm and kindhearted as he seemed on tv and the interview went off without a hitch (well, other than saying “that’s great” a million times because my nerves were shot).  To put it simply, this day quickly shot up to my top ten best days ever.

And then came August.

Two Flying Elvi after a successful landing! One hit a tree.

The following summer, I heard he was going to be playing in Reno, Nevada, close to where my family lives.  In the blink of an eye, I packed up my things and my friend, and headed up north.  Family, Gokey, and the Flying Elvi is a winning vacation combination (it was happy happenstance that the Flying Elvi made an appearance during my trip.  Who doesn’t love skydiving Elvi?)

I had no expectations for the concert other than having a good time seeing one of my favorite artists – and I’m happy to say I was not disappointed.  The opening acts were great and he was just phenomenal.  Again, long story made shorter than you think, the good stuff was just around the corner.

Even though I had no expectations, I had hoped that maybe he would remember me if there was an opportunity to talk after the show.  I didn’t expect him to remember me seeing as how nine months and an unnumbered amount of interviewers had crossed his path since I crossed his.  I figured best case scenario I’d talk to him and worse case, I would just enjoy a good show and go home happy.  It was a win-win situation.

DG @ The Knitting Factory - Reno, NV - 8/10/10

What I didn’t know was that I was about to win “lottery style” because a few songs later he stopped the show, pointed and waved at me, and said, “I know you! CNN! You interviewed me! It’s so good to see you again!” In shock, I responded best I could and suddenly felt the weight shift in the room as all eyes from the floor to the balcony were on me.  Instantly, this night became a permanent fixture in my top ten best days ever.

When I called my family later to tell what happened, I said to my mom, “It was just like my New Kids on the Block dream! You know, the one where Joey McIntyre would point me out in a crowd???” Finally! I got a return on all of that change I invested in multiple wishing wells.  And you know what, even though the name and the face changed in the dream, the fulfillment was just as amazing. (P.S. I did eventually meet Joey in 2005. Ha ha!)

And now that you’ve hung with me throughout this story, here comes your reward: the point of this blog.

I’m sure that I’m not the first or will even be the last person to have that dream – the dream of being pointed out in a crowd by someone you admire.  It’s an amazing feeling to be acknowledged or recognized (especially in this kind of way) when a lot of the time you just feel invisible.  And anyone who’s ever known what it feels like to feel invisible or unheard, it can be an awful and, at times, devastating feeling.

The good news is that you are seen.  God sees you even when it feels as though others don’t.  He also hears you. Even when you feel He’s gone silent or deaf, He’s still there listening to you, hanging on your every word.  The God of this universe knows you, He watches over you, and even your deepest thoughts are not hidden from Him.  I mean, how amazing it is that the One who created this universe sees YOU and speaks to YOU???  That’s just crazy sauce! (In the best way possible, of course!)

Knowing that God sees you, it’s not a duty then but a privilege to pay it forward by taking the time, even if just for a moment, to acknowledge others.  A smile is a simple way of letting someone know they are seen.  Even a quick hello could remind someone they matter.

You can take it even further by asking someone’s name and engaging in conversation.  Acknowledgement matters more than you think – someone knowing they’re visible and cared for could very well be the difference between life and death.

Take it from me: acknowledgement can be life-giving and heart-changing.  When you’re in your community don’t just be seen, but see.  Look a stranger in the eye and say hi.  You never know – a smile and hello from you could make all the difference in someone else’s world.  It did for me =).

I started writing a different blog yesterday but it just didn’t feel right for this week. While talking to my mom about my need for inspiration, she suggested I write about Oprah.  I won’t tell you how we got to that point, but we got there and, well, let’s just move forward and not question that decision-making.

Now, back to the blog….

Oprah, or as my friend Marilyn once called her, “Hope-rah,” is a force to be reckoned with.  She is the ultimate, non-red headed orphan version of the rags to riches story.  Her resume includes everything from broadcasting to acting to now owning her own magazine and television network – Annie and friends could only be so lucky.  All of us could be so lucky.

Standing at the beginning of my career in journalism while agonizing over the lack of response to my job applications, I asked myself, “What would Oprah do?” I’m sure many people not even in the journalism industry have asked themselves the same thing.  I mean, really, how does one go from being a poor girl living in the South to becoming one of the richest people on this planet? It’s dumbfounding, but apparently possible to accomplish. (Here’s a link to her story in case you’re interested: http://bit.ly/Qdj3M)

So now let’s go back to my conversation with my mom about Ms. Winfrey.  We didn’t talk about Oprah’s fame or fortune.  We didn’t even mention her background or her future.  What immediately came up in our conversation is what Oprah does with her wealth: she gives it away.

Interesting.

The key to becoming wealthy like Oprah is to give it all away.

So simple, yet it’s sometimes so difficult to do.

But let’s think about this for a moment.  Oprah, while famous for her many accomplishments, is probably more well known for her annual “Favorite Things” episodes on her talk show.  Come on, you know you’ve heard at least one person you know joke around saying, “You get a car! And you get a car!” I say it pretty often in my nearly spot-on Winfrey warble.

This year, when no one thought it was possible, she upped her giveaway game by sending her entire audience on a trip to Australia – and that was on top of giving away more cars, Apple products, and everything else including the kitchen sink (I’m sure it was in there somewhere).

The best part about these “favorite things” episodes was watching people just lose their minds! Strangers embraced each other, people started dancing and jumping in the aisles, and best yet, they would scream and pull at their hair.  It was extreme mayhem.  I can only compare what I saw on tv to what it’s like being right smack dab in the middle of a boy band concert.  Don’t hate, just appreciate.

Eventually, the camera pans back to Oprah and you see this look of exhilaration and emotion on her face.  She is pleased to please and looks as though she truly enjoys her role as a real life fairy godmother.

People have come to expect this giving attitude and action of Oprah.  They expect it not because they are benefactors, but because they have watched her give of her time, talents, and resources over the years.  She doesn’t just give away cars and trips – she’s not a game show – she gives an ear to listen, a voice to the voiceless, and, when necessary, words of comfort and advice to others in and outside of her studio.  That to me is encouraging because that means anyone can be Oprah.

As much as I would love to give away cars, houses, and the occasional makeover to friends and strangers, I can’t fund what my heart wants to bestow.  I do however have time to listen, encouragement to dish out, and plenty of other non-material resources to offer.  And, when the pocketbook allows, I can whip up a pretty awesome care package to brighten someone’s day.  It’s true.  I have supernatural cornbread making and cd mixing abilities. =)

I encourage you to ask yourself every day “What would Oprah do?”  Maybe you can give away a car (do it!) or maybe you can only give away a hug (do that too!).  But whatever it is you have to give, give it away.  You’ll soon find that success has more to do with what you give than what you take.  I’m sure my girl Oprah would agree. =)

As a bonus for all you Oprah fans, here’s a hilarious remix of “You Get a Car.” You might want to fast forward through the first minute to get to the good stuff.  Enjoy!

Superbowl Sunday was special this year.  I woke up with a smile on my face and felt like a kid on Christmas day.  I couldn’t wait to get to church to show off my Green Bay shirt and get harassed by Steelers fans who unknowingly awaited glorious defeat by my Packers.  It was a beautiful day.

So to say I was a bit distracted in church is somewhat of an understatement.  My attention was flipping between the pastor’s sermon and wondering how my team was prepping for the big game.  I love God more than anything, but football is pretty high on my list as well.

As the pastor preached, my mind was brought back to the sanctuary when he started talking about Noah (yeah, the guy with the floating circus).  He wondered aloud what Noah must have gone through while building the ark.  In the 120 years it took him to complete the world’s first nautical transport (in the middle of the desert, no less) he must have put up with some serious mocking from the town folk.

To be fair, I probably would’ve thought he was a nut job too.  I mean, building a boat when you’re not close to a sea and talking about a flood when the forecast is sunny with no chance of precipitation for 120 years – yeah, this guy was off his rocker… or whatever they used to sit on back then.

But despite the ceaseless mocking and consistently sunny forecast, Noah kept building.

I pondered this concept for a while.  There was no rain, just a command.  There was no model to follow, just a heavenly blueprint.  There was no guarantee the rain would come, just belief.  Bottom line, in the face of adversity, mockery, doubt, and an overextended dry season, Noah kept doing what he knew to do – building and believing.

And while quite some time has passed since the world’s first cruise line took sail, the lesson is still very much relevant.

Some might think this story is simply about obedience – of course it is.  But if you look deeper, it’s about someone who kept building and believing even when it was beyond him to understand the purpose of his handiwork.  How is someone supposed to understand rain when they’ve only seen sunshine?  Why would someone think a floating zoo is a good idea, like, ever?  None of it made sense yet he kept plugging away year after year, doubt after doubt, boat on dry land after boat on dry land.

Then, somewhere between hearing about Noah and thinking about how cute I look in Packer green, something clicked – I’m Noah, you’re Noah, we’re all Noah.  God has given each of us purpose and planted dreams in our hearts, but it’s up to us if we’re going to follow through on that mission or hang out with the naysayers.

The good/bad news is that sometimes you’re going to have to get a little crazy to do what’s right and fulfill your purpose.  There are times when you’ll have to stare down the mockers and fight their doubt as well as your own.  I’m sure even Noah questioned his actions (and God) a time or two in those building years.  There’s no way he didn’t have at least one bad day where he wanted to put down his tools for good and go tanning.

Everyone has days like that where they start questioning even their best efforts, but the point is that he kept building and pushing through until completion.  End result: he saved himself, his family, two of every animal on this planet, and proved to be the greatest example of obedience this world has ever known.  Not too bad for the village crazy.

It’s not easy building an ark in a dry land.  It’s sometimes difficult to assemble a boat when there’s little to no water in sight.  None of your efforts seem to make sense and it’s difficult to push through blind obedience when you’re battling doubt and mockery.  Trust me, I’ve been there.

To prove it, here’s a quick recap of my resume: went to bible college, got a degree in theology, worked at bible college, laid off, went to grad school, interned at major news network, got a degree in journalism, working at bible college again.  I went full circle when instead I wanted to walk a straight line.

In the middle of all of this, people from both worlds questioned my life path.  Some well-meaning ministers/parishioners asked me if I was walking away from the church when I first entered journalism (um, no).  Meanwhile, some unbelieving journalists asked me (more out of pure curiosity) how and why I made the jump from the Dead Sea to the beat.  Here’s my answer to all of you: I was told to build so I just kept building.

I still have no idea why I went to bible college before going into journalism.  I don’t know if I was just a 17-year-old kid without much career guidance who took the safe path or if God had a bigger purpose for me by walking this unconventional path.  More than likely it’s door number two.  I’m believing it’s door number two.

To be completely honest (not that I haven’t been up to this point), I have days at my part-time, bible college, semi-journalistic related job where I just don’t get it.  I question why, with all the building I’ve done, that I’m back in the place I worked so hard to leave.  It’s not a bad place, it’s just that I figured by now I’d be charting different waters.  Instead, I’m still here building believing one day I’ll set sail on my ocean of promise.

You may be in the middle of building your own ark – tools and fuzzy blueprints in hand – not really knowing the point of your hard labor.  But whether you’re at the stage of putting on the finishing touches or barely rolling out the blueprints, trust in God, believe in yourself, and keep on building because one day soon you’ll be on a boat.