Why a basset hound?

Well the idea of a basset hound became clear to me as I was preparing to give a TEDx talk in 2011.

I was fretting — immediately after celebrating (for 2.5 seconds) the honor of being chosen to speak. My thoughts raced. My mind was a total blank. Or more precisely, a big fat ball of sticky fear. And when I learned about the other speakers who would also be on stage at the inaugural TEDxNapaValley event, I was even more terrified. I hadn’t done anything great, didn’t lead anyone and hadn’t served any great causes. Who was I to go on a stage (at the Napa Valley Opera House even)?

I wanted to call the organizers and tell them I couldn’t do it.

And then, as I rubbed the ears of my dear basset hound (I grew up in a family that raised bassets, and they were the only dogs I have ever had my whole life), it came to me.

That was precisely my message.

I hadn’t done anything great. Most of us aren’t big heroes, or CEOs, or major charity fund raisers.

But we can make a difference anyway.

Maybe, if each of us can change one life by doing something scary, by telling our stories and embracing all of our goofy, slobbery, but filled with love selves, that is enough.

I made my inner basset hound the true me and created an inner Nun for the opposite voice, the one that had a whole litany of shoulds at the ready. And I focused on finding one person who needed to hear my story. And that gave me the courage to get on that stage.

Bassets are also something of a southern icon, which helps me embrace my southern roots as I live in Northern California now.

My message to you is this - listen to your true inner voice - whether it be a basset hound, a turtle, or a sloth and do what you love, trust your self and know that you are special. Because you are.