It's Working!

I never imagined it would be so rewarding...getting a crucial message across to high school and college students. I've gotten so much incredible feedback since I've started on my mission, but when I got this email from a teacher at a school I recently spoke at the tears came and my heart sang: "You are such a strong and amazing woman who is doing a great service by speaking with kids. You saved someone’s life today."

That's the whole idea behind my presentation, "Digital Danger: Forever and For All to See," which is the result of years of reflection on my personal "tragedy to triumph" story, and soul searching on how to make it count.

When I started my new journey, I never imagined it would take off like it is, which tells me I am, indeed, doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.

This latest presentation at one Ohio high school, in front of 500 students was the most amazing, perhaps, tranformative, as the students became so quickly and thoroughly engaged and stayed with me the entire hour. Remember, this is 500 teenagers, near the end of the school year!

Who would've ever thought an experience that, at one time, felt like the end of a career, actually, the end of a life, would, all these years later become so relevant, so valuable and so inspiring. I should've known though, because I am one of those who truly believe there's a reason for everything. Faith.

My message is two-fold:

First, as I say in my TEDx, I truly believe we are living in a time where there's so little room for a "what was I thinking" moment, before it could become attached to you forever and for all to see, one mouse click away. The more we all, not just the younger people, realize that, the safer we will all be. The reality is what "happens in Vegas, no longer stays in Vegas," or Key West or even your own neighborhood.

Second, surviving today's brand of humiliation is possible. I can show you the way, after all, I'm living proof...not only surviving but rising above!