THE TRUE LEADER IS THE FIRST FOLLOWER

The past two weeks have been a complete blitz of cultural activity and celebration. I have hardly had much time to collect myself and pull from this beautiful romantic haze of melody, education, and flavor. So much time has gone into costume coordinating, volunteering, planning, scheduling and just down right attending/supporting our local creative movement in the best way I know possible: by simply being a follower...
Hold off the hounds!

A few years ago, I watched a short little TED clip that changed my life. It was presented by Derek Sivers, music business innovator, as he analyzed and explained the development of a most interesting scenario that he titled, "How to Start a Movement"

 

 "If you really care about starting a movement, have the courage to follow and show others how to follow." -Derek Sivers

As we go out into the world, we are encouraged to be leaders. And we learn that we do this by simply getting things started. Initiate, self-motivate, create, manage! And it breeds ideas that shine like a star. A big bright powerful star, seen as a shining grain of dust from a thousand light-years away, somewhere within a pool of a thousand more, and only when the weather is right, and when not obscured by the city lights, and easily forgotten and lost.

The past few weeks in Beaumont had been anything but quiet for the astronomers of the idea world. It was difficult to do it all with the three-day-long Boomtown Film and Music Festival, Acquae Obscurae: A Menagerie of Art, Mardigras Festivals, Gumbo Festival, Organic Gardening Festival, Several Theatre Productions, several Formal Attire charity events, an Untimely Halloween Bash in February, agreeable Skate Park weather, an elbow-rubbing full-packed craft beer swap, (the ill-fated) Biggie Killed Bambie Rap-n-Roll Swindle, the anticipated return of Lunch on the Lake Foodtruck Days, and multiple big name acts at accessible street venues (namely 90's Grammy award winning Bone Thugs n' Harmony)

All started as a little idea in the mind of a single person that just had to make it happen. And then what? What made these tiny ideas grow day by day into an almost uncontrollable burst of energy and festivity? The followers. I spend much of my time and energy on co-coordinating, planning events, volunteering, and serving on leadership committees, but the work I do is almost miniscule to the power I feel and in no way compares to the work it takes to talk myself into joining in with the first dancers on the floor.

"The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader." -Derek Sivers

There is a core group of dedicated fans in our local area that spearheads this effort. These are the people that show up early so the opening band won't have to play to an empty room. The people who will pop in on an event despite knowing everyone else stayed in for the night. These are the people who will buy that $5 thingamabob off your craft table even if they are not sure what it is. Because you had an idea, and without them, your idea would be nothing. And one day, they are going to have an idea too. And they will know... you've got their back. 

Dreams for the future,

Betty