Shermaine Hobbs, a long-time Adversity University subscriber, alerted me to a video contest that was taking place at the BeTheNextBestSellingAuthor.com website.
The challenge was too irresistible to pass up, especially after the success of last week’s video post. It represented a great opportunity to incorporate many of your suggestions on how to better improve the next video. For example, instead of sitting at my desk (and being too close for comfort for some of you), I stood in front of a bookcase in another room, giving you wider berth.
Contestants were given a choice between two topics for the 2 minute video. It was either “The Funniest Moment of My Life” or “The Most Life Changing Moment of My Life.”
After thinking about it for a few days, it occurred to me that while I’ve had plenty of humorous and life-changing events, which one could I convey with true meaning and significance in less than 2 minutes? (More accurately, one minute and forty-five seconds because each contestant was required to state their name and other information, taking up approximately fifteen seconds of precious time).
Which one would it be?
It came boiling down between the fifth grade teacher story or how I became a pilot, both of which were major life-changing experiences. I knew that having less than 2 minutes to share the teacher story would have done it grave injustice so I decided to go with the pilot piece instead.
As you can imagine, it was a HUGE challenge because I consistently ran over 2 minutes, forcing me into several retakes. It was very frustrating. But at one point, I felt led to move the tripod to a different part of the room, primarily to get better lighting, and that’s when I hit paydirt: 1 minute and 59 seconds!
While playing it back, a warm sense of calm enveloped me – it could only be described as a sense of knowing. It was time to stop.
I’ve experienced that feeling before. One time, I was involved in a humorous speech contest and they were about to announce first, second and third place winners. Right beforehand, I was hit with a warm sense of calm and knew that I had won first place.
Sometimes the same feeling would save my life. Several years ago, while living in New York City, I was about to step off a curb but immediately pulled back for no apparent reason. Two seconds later, a speeding cab that I hadn’t seen whooshed by, missing me by a hair.
At any rate, I knew I had to surrender when that feeling hit me. Contrary to what some people think, surrendering doesn’t mean giving up. It simply means letting go of the results, knowing you did the best you could. There were a few words in this video (more like grunts) that I wanted to take out but that would have meant several more unnecessary retakes.
It’s now in God’s hands.
If you are an RSS or email subscriber, you will not be able to see this video in your feed. Please click on to the name of this post to be taken directly to the blog for viewing. Thanks!
Here it is:
UPDATE: I won this video contest – see the results here.
If you liked this post and you want to be notified of the next one, subscribe via Email or Full Text RSS Feed. I would love to have you as part of the community!
10:19 pm on February 20th, 2008 1
Stephen, Glad to have seen you at Liz’s Open Mic night last night and wandered on over to read your blog just now. Nice job on the video. Serendipity — I just posted a piece on my blog about Trusting the Process…which is what I think that warm feeling is you talk about. I think you’re right. At some point, we have to let go, surrender and trust. I’ve got you on the Google Reader now so I’ll be back to visit again!
6:11 am on February 21st, 2008 2
Erica:
Welcome! I’m so glad you decided to come by after Liz Strauss’s Open Mic night. I had gone over there on a lark. Despite the server problems she was experiencing, I had a good time connecting with new people like you.
I continue to work on making my videos better. I still don’t know how to edit because Windows Movie Maker is not compatible with MP4 movie files from my camcorder. Do you know of a good editing program (free?) that’s compatible with MP4 videos?
I’m going to wander over to your blog right now and watch your video. I’m hoping I can read your lips.
10:30 am on February 21st, 2008 3
Well, if that does not win the contest, I will be very surprised.
Like the background! And the additional space between you and the camera.
You are a movie star!
11:27 am on February 21st, 2008 4
Hi: Stephen, you did a great job in regard to your life changing moment. Keep up the good work. Your Dad
12:47 pm on February 21st, 2008 5
Dad!
How cool is it to have you leave a comment! Thanks Dad, that meant a lot to me. What a great surprise. I’m so glad you commented.
12:50 pm on February 21st, 2008 6
Corinne:
I was thinking of you when I made the decision to move into the other room and put a little more distance between myself and the camera.
You’re such a sweetie – me? A movie star? Awwwww….thanks.
6:10 pm on February 21st, 2008 7
Hi Stephen, I really enjoyed your video entry and your story. I am terrified of being on video and you made it look so easy! Good luck in the competition. Gratefully, Jenny
Jennifer Mannion’s last blog post..Do I Have to Stay Positive ALL the Time for the Law of Attraction to Work?
6:40 pm on February 21st, 2008 8
Great speech, Stephen! Very eloquent and to the point. I hope you win!
What will you get if you win, btw? $$ or just a toy airplane?
6:54 pm on February 21st, 2008 9
Hey there Nita:
I continue to have an adventure with this newfound aspect of blogging. I’m especially enjoying the subtitling aspect of it because it forces me to really pay attention to what I’m saying in order to get the right words in. There were a few times when I got ahead of myself in started to type in what I thought I was going to say only to find out I said something completely different!
The prize for the winners can be found at http://www.bethenextbestsellingauthor.com on the bottom of the page.
And if you’re curious to find out who my “competitors” are, simply go to YouTube and type in the website name in the search function. Of course, none of them are subtitled (including mine) but it’ll give you an idea of who I’m up against.
Thanks for your good wishes. It was all in good fun, regardless of the turnout.
7:00 pm on February 21st, 2008 10
Jennifer:
Wow, thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the 2 minute video. I know it’s not easy. Some people say I make it look easy but I admitted in the article how I did more than 10 retakes, just like in the movies. (LOL).
When I first did it (without a script – it’s hard to read a script b\c there’s no place to put it without making your eyes look like it’s focused on something other than the camera’s lenses), I felt a little funny. But the second video project was a little easier, for I didn’t feel foolish or funny. Perhaps the third one will be even more polished?
Thanks for your good wishes. And if you’re “curious” about the prize for the winner, visit my comment to Nita above for the links. You’ll see everything you want to know there.
10:43 pm on February 21st, 2008 11
Stephen… wow!
Wow!
Wow!
Thank you for that… if you don’t win the contest, I’m canceling my Simpleology account!
OK, maybe not really, but I’ll want to!
And re: your dad commenting… my mom does the same on my blog – it’s a pretty great feeling, isn’t it?
Lyman Reed’s last blog post..Randy Pausch Revisited
11:37 pm on February 21st, 2008 12
Lyman:
Hey, thanks! I read your comment before going to bed tonight and I’m smiling. Thanks my friend. I appreciate your support.
Yes, it’s a very good feeling to have my Dad stop by on this one. Like most of us bloggers, we had someone in our families become our first subscriber. Actually, he was the second – I was the first.
12:55 am on February 22nd, 2008 13
Stephen,
I love it!!! Surely the prize has your name written all over it. You have a certain charisma that just exudes through the video which pluses your incredible life changing moment. I’m so happy that you entered the contest and that in doing so even more people will hear of your wonderful journey. I saw your Dad comment so you know it’s great!
I believe it was divine providence that it came to you just as you had completed the first one. You are in a whole different league than any one else who enters. And I admire your courage and fortitude to press through all the details and retakes to get it just the way you want it. I think I should go buy a camera and challenge myself in that area!
Well done!
Sharmaine
8:08 am on February 22nd, 2008 14
Sharmaine:
And it was YOU who alerted me to this special opportunity to participate in a video contest! Thank you.
I also believe this whole thing was divine providence. And it should be interesting to see where this takes all of us. I’m excited!
Thank you Sharmaine for being one of the most supportive people in the community. It’s amazing how long you’ve stuck with me since the early days of Adversity University!
Best wishes in buying your first camcorder and doing a video yourself. It’s really easy (well, at first it’ll feel “funny,” maybe even “weird” but you’ll get used to it). And I’d love to see it!!!
P.S. Yes, the fact that my Dad commented on this made it all the more sweeter. I was very surprised when I found his comment because I wasn’t expecting it. It was really gratifying to see my Dad, who is in his erly 70′s, participate in this community. He feels like he’s part of it and that, to me, is way cool. Perhaps he also senses what you sensed about my place in this competition?
2:09 pm on February 22nd, 2008 15
Stephen, So Beautiful!
Your parents must be proud. I’m re-reading Think and Grow Rich now, and the story of his deaf son and how he went on to do great things with his life… Anyway… Wonderful. Can I vote somewhere?
Michelle Vandepas’s last blog post..By: How to Stop Spending Your Money | Divine Purpose Unleashed
2:16 pm on February 22nd, 2008 16
Michelle:
I do remember the story of the author of “Think and Grow Rich” whose son was deaf! It was uplifting and inspiring.
Yes, I totally forgot to ask people to vote for me with regards to this video contest. Actually it’s not a voting thing but how many people visit my YouTube video.
So, if you want to help me get lots of visitors, please go to my YouTube video, stumble it and then pass the word around, asking people to visit that page. The more visitors I get, the higher of a chance I’ll win something. Thanks for asking if you could vote somewhere!!
Here’s the YouTube website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuqlVivegXg
10:05 am on February 23rd, 2008 17
[...] Stephen Hopson’s entry in Simpleology’s Next Best Selling Author Competition (captioned version is here), and then come back to tell me why you [...]
4:44 pm on February 23rd, 2008 18
Mr. Warren Hopson, your wonderful son is an inspiration to all of us.
Stephen, after watching your video, I was all smiles thinking about the little boy with the big heart and the courage to overcome all those obstacles. Your mom is the best for allowing you a way to connect with that dream of flying.
You inspire me to be better.
Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker’s last blog post..Let Go And Let God—Al-Anon Slogan
8:54 am on February 24th, 2008 19
Hey Stephen,
I read the contest rules and it said that a winner will be chosen from each of the 2 categories, and another will be for the most viewed on YouTube.
IF folks only view your video here, that does not add into your count.
I BELIEVE you will win outright, but just in case
))))
it would not hurt to have as many views on YouTube
as you can get.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuqlVivegXg
xo xo
Deb
Deb Estep’s last blog post..What Are YOU Reading ?
9:34 am on February 24th, 2008 20
Deb:
Thanks a lot for telling people about the other version over at YouTube! I appreciate it much.
9:35 am on February 24th, 2008 21
Patricia:
I’m sure your comment about my Dad made his day, assuming he’s read it. Thank you for complementing both my Mom and Dad. We sure have been through a lot together and this video is kind of brings all of us a full circle.
It took years to manifest the flying dreams admist doubt but thanks to my folks, a seed was planted years ago.
12:44 pm on February 24th, 2008 22
Your story is very inspiring, and I love your definition of surrender. I found your site yesterday, and I’ll be coming back often. Thanks and good luck!
Jo’s last blog post..Who’s Responsible for Students? Success?
12:48 pm on February 24th, 2008 23
I watched your video on U Tube (thanks to a heads up from my sister-in-law Deb Estep). All I can say is WOW, Stephen!!!! And a BIG hats off to your mother and dad who helped that young boy make his dream come true!! What an inspiration you are…
7:23 am on February 25th, 2008 24
Rosemary:
Thank you so very much for your encouragement and taking the time to watch the video. Doing video posts is a whole new endeavor for me as a blogger and it’s pretty exciting!
My folks will surely appreciate the comments that people like you are leaving here for them to see.
Thanks for stumbling the video over at YouTube to help me receive more visitors. The more people who see the video at YouTube, the higher of a chance I have of winning the contest.
7:26 am on February 25th, 2008 25
Jo:
I’m so glad you found this blog and that you are coming back again. Welcome!
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy life to watch the video.
Surrendering: It’s the best thing I’ve ever given myself. Things flow much easier when I surrender and trust, insead of forcing things to happen.
Thanks for stumbling the video over at YouTube – the more visitors I get, the higher the chance I have of winning the competition.
11:55 am on February 27th, 2008 26
Stephen, here’s a MP4Cam converter for your Windows Movie Maker.
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=123082
Let me know how it works. I never done this.
5:14 pm on February 27th, 2008 27
McConnell (Mike):
Thanks for the heads up – I’ll check it out. Hope it works becuase I could sure do some editing on one of my videos.
1:47 pm on February 28th, 2008 28
Stephen,
Maybe you can’t send emails from here because my subscription has been paused.
I am sending this to you to re-suscribe.
Let’s see what happens.
6:11 pm on February 28th, 2008 29
Joni:
I’m not sure why your subscription paused. I’ll go and check my syndication systems (Feedblitz and Feedburner) to see what the problem is.
Thanks for letting me know. Submitting a comment actually doesn’t “reactivate” your subscription. I’ll check on it.
12:04 pm on October 19th, 2009 30
Hello Stephen:
I learned about you for the first time yesterday from Carole Mullins, a Unity minister in Detroit, after she received an email from me inviting her to check out a new Facebook Training program I was introduced to by Alex Mandossian (Details at http://crowdconversion.askdrclaude.com)
Carole asked me if I knew you. She mentioned that you were a deaf pilot, started your own university, and are taking off on Facebook, so I searched for you on Google. I found Jennifer’s fan page about you, then your own Facebook page, and I then came here from your facebook page to see the subtitled version of your video.
It’s a beautiful story. I wish you great success in your efforts to help people create freedom from adversity in their lives and move beyond it.
Dr Claude Windenberger
Founder of the Unconditional Freedom Process