The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration

Some have noticed, most of you probably haven’t, but to me, there has been a huge elephant in my blogging “Green Room.” You know, the place where you store all of your great post topics and ideas until they are complete and ready for their publishing debuts. This topic in particular has challenged me. Time and time again I have begun writing only to repeatedly press backspace and stare befuddled at a blank screen. Each flash of the curser counting the seconds like a silent timer, laughing at my mental inability.

In early May, I attended the incredible Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort. The event is a blogger’s dream come true and as an invite only event, the “golden ticket” (so to speak) has become extremely coveted. I was honored to be chosen to attend and have the opportunity to share the experience with my family.

I researched as much as I could about past events and in doing so, I set a few goals for myself: network, experience the moment and take time to reflect. I knew there would be amazing bloggers, influencers and brands attending, so I wanted to connect with as many others as possible. I definitely wanted to share the experience live, but I also wanted to focus on all of the magic and once returning home, I wanted to concentrate on the messages and knowledge shared and not rush into posting. Never did I think it would take this long to grasp my understanding or that months later the message would still influence me the way it does.

In all honesty, I left the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration completely confused and unsure of my blogging future. I felt much like Peter Parker must have as he became Spider-Man. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but as I sat listening to the inspirational Donald Driver, I couldn’t help but reference the quote, “With great power comes great responsibility,” and think to myself what good am I doing with my social media influence? How am I changing the world or at least helping others? As Vivienne Harr took the stage, she had the entire room in tears. We all sat amazed as she shared her incredible story. Her message made us look inside ourselves and want to turn the focus around. How had this 11-year-old figured out so much more to life in her short time on earth than I had in mine? I left the conference room that day completely inspired, but also completely lost.

The fog continued as I pondered what difference I could make in the world.  I love blogging and social media, but it just seemed like I wasn’t doing enough. My desire isn’t just to find success, but to find significance and I struggled looking for a way to be an advocate, not just an influencer. I felt helpless. Hopeless. One day driving home, something on the radio stood out to me. A simple phrase, “What can one person do? Anything.” Anything? The message shared with us at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration was to empower us. It was simply a way of illustrating Walt’s message with modern day examples. I may not be Donald Driver or Vivienne Harr, but we’re all capable of greatness, we just need to have the courage to pursue it. Sounds familiar, right? I realized Uncle Walt was also looking for significance in life, not just success and he found it by creating significance in the lives of others, much like our speakers at the conference.

While I still haven’t found my “super power,” I know I will and thanks to a little “awakening” from the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and the incredible support from my family and friends, I have the confidence to know that I am capable of anything and that it only takes one to make a difference. I am still looking for a way to change the world, but until then, I’ll be making a STAND by helping Vivienne achieve her dreams and I hope you will too. Find out more at makeastand.com.