That Brides Got Moxie

We heard from many amazing speakers (you can see the list in my photo).

Derreck Kayongo, the founder of Global Soap Project, is changing people’s lives, all because he saw an opportunity in what we Americans (astonishingly) consider waste.

Every wonder what hotels do with the half-used bar of soap you leave in your room when you check out? Derreck did.  And now, he recycles that soap! He told us his amazing, inspiring life story and urged us to pay attention. PAY ATTENTION, he said. Look for the punctuation marks in your life. Connect your dots. We are all here for a reason – our job is to pay attention and not miss it! He is such a unique, warm soul. I encourage you all to learn more about his wonderful organization, Global Soap Project.

We heard from Ben Silbermann, founder and CEO of Pinterest. Ben called the Camp Mighty ladies, “a mafia of industrious women” and forever won me over! He also won me over with the most kick-ass and accurate Venn Diagram EVER.

Ben also said: “The best things in this world are made my groups of people who dream together.” “Making things can take a really long time.” “If you dream really big, you can do really big things.” “Pinterest is a place for people who are connected by their passions.” And my favorite, “Rich people like free cookies.”

Other highlights of the weekend:

• Jenny Lawson (aka The Blogess) (FULL DISCLOSURE: I had no idea who she was before Camp Mighty, leading other campers to look at me in astonishment like I’ve been living under a rock). I know who she is now. I have a girl crush on her. Go read her book, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened.
• The Space Party, where I (nicely?) bullied the hipster DJ into playing “Footloose” so we could all dance like fools. If you don’t like “Footloose”, you are just telling lies to yourself. Get out on the dance floor!
• The Hot Tub, where all the actual networking took place. In the hot tub, Jen (from I Fart in My Sleep) and I decided to travel up to Seattle to visit our new BFF Amy, and Liz (from Silver Charm Events) and I set up an interview (which you can read here), as well as more stuff I can’t tell you all about yet. Secrets, secrets!
• Opening Dinner Bingo, which featured one of MY life list items (singing the national anthem at Dodger Stadium), which forced me to not be shy and go table to table and socialize. Well played, Camp Mighty organizers, well played.

And, the Life Lists. The reason for the season, so to speak. I’ve talked about Life Lists before, here and here. And you can read mine. I have to say that I thought there would be more focus placed on the Life Lists, and at the time, I was really confused by it. But in the time since Camp, I’ve found myself moving toward crossing things off my list, without even really realizing it. I signed up to take the orientation to become a volunteer at the LA Mission. I’ve researched inversion yoga workshops in the area. I bought a Groupon to that tap class I’ve been wanting to try. It’s like my subconscious is moving me to action. It’s cool. I like it. More please, universe.

Also, I should give a shout out to all the sponsors that made the weekend possible, and in some cases, rad. Lands End gifted us super awesome wrap dresses, Old Navy helped us update our wardrobe with a free pair of jeans (which I will be giving myself as a reward once I am down a size. Coming soon!), Alt Summit gave us a class on the house, and the fine folks at Bing & WantList gifted me a fine book on lists. Because, well, I like lists.

So, yes, there was swag. And silly photos.

And also socializing, relaxing, hot tubbing, learning, growing, networking, intention-setting, and sitting in front of cozy fireplaces.

In summary, although there were things I wasn’t too keen on (the food was just…not awesome…at all), I would definitely go back to Camp Mighty. And I would encourage others to go. You can never go wrong with a little introspection, extraversion, travel, and conversation. Never.

I think the effects of the weekend will be felt as ripples throughout my life – as opposed to the huge tidal wave that I assumed would come crashing over me that weekend. In the month since I’ve been, it’s revealed itself as more of a quiet thing, and that’s ok.

I’ll be updating on my Life List in the coming year, so be on the lookout for those posts interspersed with the wedding madness that I am sure is coming any moment now.

Oh, and next year, Camp Mighty is the weekend after my wedding. Soooooo, I’m not sure I can go. I mean, do you think Bob the Builder would want to honeymoon in Palm Springs?

And if you want to get started on your own Life List, go to Go Mighty and request an invite. We are all over there, setting and accomplishing goals. Do it!