Recently I was conducting a virtual storytelling session for a US client. I was working from our holiday property in Bermagui at the time which is well set up for virtual training. It has extremely stable satellite internet, an uninterrupted power supply unit and good natural light. I also have additional professional stage lighting that I keep up there when the natural light is not adequate.

All I need to bring with me is my professional headset mic, a good shirt (as I don’t think my gardening gear will cut it) and makeup. I travel a lot, so I have a separate travel makeup bag ready to go with all the essentials I need.

Where the hell is my makeup?

On the day of the workshop, I woke early, had a shower, got dressed and went to grab my makeup bag. To my horror, I had forgotten to pack it. Now I know this is not the end of the world and I could do it without makeup but when you throw in stage lighting, you really do need makeup. So doing it without makeup was not really a credible option. Neither was re-scheduling.

It was 7 o’clock in the morning and I was due to start at 8:30. I did think of driving into town to get some basics from the chemist, but I knew they didn’t open until 9am.

Know Your Support Network

I then thought of my friend Kelly who lives in town, and we often go for morning beach walks whenever I am there. So, I called her but there was no answer. Next I texted her and anxiously waited. But still no response. I called her again and no answer. By this stage it was close to 7:30am. On the next call she answered – thank God. I caught her on her way out the door for her morning beach walk.

I quickly explained my situation and she responded with:

“Sure you can have my whole makeup bag.”

I drove into town, grabbed the makeup from her, dashed back home and my makeup was all done in time.

The catastrophe was avoided.

It really made me realise again that it is so important to have support people around you. The people that will have your back and be there for you… regardless of where you may be. Thanks Kelly.

Who is in your support network?

P.S. Another shout-out to Kelly and her commitment to supporting others. During the 2019/20 Black Summer fires that devastated parts of the Southern NSW Coast, Kelly handed over her commercial kitchen and became part of the World Central Kitchen team that provided much-needed meals for people in the region who had lost everything.