LOCAL APPLAUSE – A Group Like No Other
On an ordinary, sunny, Florida afternoon, a group of extraordinary men and women gathered for a single purpose – to celebrate together the journey of life.
About 40 people gathered at Carrabba’s Italian Grill last Friday to enjoy an hour of inspiration from one another and to hear about successful businesses and the other significant accomplishments in their lives.
They came from Kuhn Flower Shop, Ocean Vibes Massage, Home America Mortgage, Inc., Remax 100 Realty, North Florida Doctor, The Pampered Chef, Family Care Coaching and many other local businesses owned, managed or led by women. Many of the participants represented their own entrepreneurial ventures such as jewelry making, business coaching and spa and healthcare clubs. No matter where they came from, they were there for each other, and for the strength of the support network which had developed. Many of them had, in fact, been enjoying Friday lunch together for quite some time.
These weekly luncheons, sponsored by The Local Applause Network, are hosted by the organization’s founder, Sheryl Lynn. Each luncheon is anchored by the positive connotation of a carefully selected word that suggests the independence and success to which all business persons aspire. Some focus words, for example, have been vision, confidence, and magnificence. This week was APPLAUSE, so each person took a turn to stand in the own ‘circle of celebration’ and express to the group a success or celebration. The stories were varied, but each earned a sincere response from the group.
Gaye Jones from Home America Mortgage explained that she had moved from Atlanta to St. Augustine and completely changed careers as she changed her location.
Gaye received g heartfelt round of applause.
Beth Edenfield from Pampered Chef announced that she had been happily married for TWENTY years.
The room exploded with sincere applause.
Angie Speas from North Florida Doctor told the group that she spends her Friday’s working in a soup kitchen after a long, grueling week of work.
The audience enthusiastically gave her applause.
Sylvia Martin-McGinnis, a Mary Kay Cosmetics consultant, came that day to represent a new group, Ladies Let’s Go Fishing, School of No Yelling. The group, she explained, was set up to teach women how to fish, and there is no yelling allowed, despite the frustrations that might arise.
Everyone laughed good naturedly as they gave her applause.
Katherine Wheeler came from K. Elizabeth Designs, a new business she started recently that is doing beautifully in St. Augustine.
All were delighted were delighted and gave her applause.
The hour was filled with such self-affirming and other-affirming moments as each woman in turn rose from her table to command the attention of the group. Each shared a recent accomplishment, whether personal or business related that was noteworthy.
Sheryl Lynn had explained that “applause is a transmission of warmth and connection from one human being to another. A ‘round of applause’ gives a sense of the positive energy circulating within a room and gathering strength, person by person.” She told the group that applause provides encouragement, the act of filling another with courage. “Don’t hold back the music of affirmation and courage,” she told them as the first person rose to stand in the circle of celebration and take strength from the group. Applause is always part of every weekly luncheon, she said.
By the time the lunch dishes were cleared, something most impressive had occurred. Every person walked out of the restaurant looking unchanged but not one was really the same. Each one had stood in her own power, even if just for a few minutes, and had the eyes and attention of each individual in the room. The experience that was taken away from the luncheon by each person was complete respect of the group. Each was listened to. Each was applauded. Each was lifted up and changed.
“Every person deserves to be in a group such as this,” Sheryl Lynn said. “As we drive ourselves to multi-task in order to fulfill the needs of everyone around us, we need to stop long enough to assert our uniqueness and to recognize and celebrate fully our creativity, talents and intelligence. Local Applause lunches are held monthly. All women and men who are committed to the support and assistance of all people in their lives’ journeys are invited to attend. If your community does not have a Local Applause chapter, it is easy to start one by contacting Local Applause headquarters at 904-471-2585 or visit them on the web at www.LocalApplause.com.
We hope you join us and participate without regard to social status, educational level, position in the workforce, race, religion or other personal preferences. Through each event we encourage non-judgmental support and affirmation devoid of criticism or competition. The purpose is to focus on success. Through this focus - one cannot
and to create an atmosphere of warmth and nurturing like-mindedness for all individuals who attend. The ultimate desire is for everyone to feel good and then to take that feeling into the world and radiate it to all those around them.