Wisdom of the Thumb

By Lynn Grasberg

One summer, I spent a month in Eugene, Oregon, at the invitation of a group of friends who brought me in to teach an intensive class in the healing arts. At the end of the month, I was scheduled to perform in a concert with some of my friends.

The morning of the concert, I was making fruit salad for breakfast when the knife slipped and cut deeply into my right thumb. Aaghhhhh! Blood on the oranges and grapes and bananas, and "Oh, no! How will I perform tonight?"

My resourceful friends swooped in with ointments and bandages and lots of hugs, as well as hands-on application of the energy balancing techniques I had been teaching them all month. When night came and it was time to get ready for the concert, my thumb was scabbing nicely but still heavily bandaged. I wasn't worried, though. I was actually euphoric. Never before had I received so much attention and love BEFORE a concert.

Who Needs a Thumb?

It was a breakthrough performance for me. I could only play the guitar or piano for limited periods of time without irritating my thumb or it's protective scab. Many of my previously accompanied songs became acapella. But it didn't matter. My voice soared and I had an exhilarating rapport with my audience.

Because my heart was full and wide open. I was in a state of pure service and giving to my audience.

A year later, I was trudging up a hill in northern California when a voice BEHIND me asked, "Are you Lynn Grasberg?" "Yes, " I said, turning around. "How do you know me?" A young woman (we were all young then) replied, "I saw your concert last summer in Eugene. That was the best performance I've ever seen! You blew me away. How do you do it, be that present and connected?"

"Well, first you cut your thumb . . ." We both laughed.

No Pre-Scripted Agenda Is Sacred

At my post-thumb cutting performance, I learned that an audience doesn't just care how flawless I appear, or how many hours I've spent writing or practicing a song or speech. They want to connect with ME, the live human being in front of them. If I have attention to give, the audience feels appreciated. They can relax because they don't have to "take care" of me in any way. We are in this together and I am the one in a position of leadership, the one who welcomes the others into our shared environment.

In any given performance or speech, I may have to throw out what I prepared in order to meet the needs of THIS moment, when I am with the people. Plans are important. They help us organize ourselves. But the moment may call for something more - flexibility, connection, and the ability to embrace WHATEVER is going on.

So, How Do You Do It?

Bottom line - I remember that, as the person at the front of the room, I have a gift to give - my information and entertainment, but most of all, ME. I'm here to be of service. So, I warm up ahead of time. (See "Assume the Position" article.) I connect to my audience. (See "Your Audience is Your Script".) I remember to have a sense of humor about the situation. (See "Bounce Back!" book.)

Oh, and I no longer need to take drastic measures (like having kitchen accidents) to remember to get support ahead of time.