“The Master Plan”
Guest Writer: R. L. Norman
I was standing on the side of the stage out of the line of sight from the audience. From my vantage point, I could only see a few people in the front rows. I had no idea how many people showed up for this event–my debut.
You see, this was my very first public appearance of my one-man stand up show based on the character of “Norman” in my “Honey Let Me Tell You” book series.
I planned to make the audience think, smile and laugh about life, love and relationships. It was my dream about to come to true. I’d planned to amuse them with the brief story of Norman‘s life with music, singing, dancing, jokes and language that will make you grab your non-existed pearls as your mouths falls open.
So, I was standing there, reviewing my notes as I was about to go on stage. Nervously, I waited for the moment of truth to arrive! And then, I heard the announcer say;
“And now, welcome to the stage, debuting his one-man show titled, “Norman’s One Night Stand,” …here’s Mr. R.L. Norman!”
As I heard the applause, several people behind me wished me good luck. Next, I proceeded to the stage’s center.
As I looked around the room, which was filled to capacity, all eyes were on me. I was shocked that the place was packed!
Who would’ve known that these many people wanted to see me, or even that they knew where Fort Washington, Maryland was? And then, I stared back at all the people who were staring back at me.
“R.L.? R.L.?” Several people were whispering my name from the sidelines of the stage.
“Are you okay? What’s wrong? Norman?” they were asking.
I simply could not move! In my mind, I really wanted to leave the stage, run all the way home, jump in my bed, pull the covers over my head and hide.
That’s because I was frozen with fright!
Stage fright that is.
I stood there holding the microphone to my open mouth like I was deciding whether to talk into it–or lick it like an ice cream cone.
I couldn’t move…
I felt like my hopes and dreams were slowly disappearing right before my very eyes.
I suddenly started thinking back to the first time I actually had to do public speaking. It was in my eighth grade history class. I had made a model of a ship, the Santa Maria, one of Christopher Columbus’ ships. I was supposed to talk about the voyage of Columbus.
I stood in front of the class, staring at my peers. I was frozen and could not move or talk. Just like now, my teacher was saying my name, asking me if I were okay.
I could not respond.
It was the first of three presentations I was supposed to do for that class, and couldn’t. Eventually, I failed history and had to go to summer school: simply because I couldn’t speak in front of people, and express what I had practiced in front of my mirror several times–with no problem.
Another time was when I was in college. I was majoring in architecture. I’d wanted to be an architect since the ninth grade. I’d already designed both my dream and summer homes by the 11th grade.
I was on my way! Or so I thought.
We had to design an office building and present it to the class as if they, along with the professor, were the clients. Basically, we had to sell our own designs.
Like I always do, I practiced my presentation in front of the mirror numerous times. I knew it by heart. I was ready.
When the professor called my name, I slowly walked to the front of the class and placed my building model on the table.
As I faced the class, a couple people expressed approval of my model. I was elated; I felt like this was the first step of realizing my dream of becoming an architect.
Until I froze…once again!
Like always, the professor was calling my name, asking me if I were okay.
And once again, I could not answer.
Sadly, I realized that I could not speak in front of people!
Because of that, I had to switch my major to engineering. There was less of a chance of having to address individuals.
As a result, my dream of becoming an architect slowly faded away.
But life is full of many surprises–and I had a new dream! One to make people think, smile, and laugh about life, love and relationships.
And this dream came out of nowhere! Well, I should not say “nowhere.” Actually, it must have been one of God’s plan all along. I say this because I worked several years as an engineer and loved it. So, I also believe that was in God’s plan.
But now, he has a new plan for me! One to inspire people to think about life. A way for people to search their deepest feelings. I believe that God has given me the talent of helping people walk in“Norman’s” shoes as he goes through the “Miss-Adventures of Being Miss-Understood” when it comes to life. To make people realize they are not alone in their journey to true happiness.
You see, first came the books. I have written five so far. And that was not planned. It was a personal journal that I turned into books.
And then came “Norman’s One Night Stand,” which I wrote, created and now was trying to perform.
That was definitely not planned. I would never have planned to stand up in front of people and perform a 40-minute one man show, one in which many people can actually feel the character’s struggle, pain, triumph and happiness in achieving his goal of being happy with himself.
My friends suggested and encouraged me to do it.
So I stood there, frozen with stage fright once again.
However, I also remembered something else that happened to me a few days prior.
You see, at a cookout, I met two new friends who made me recall certain events that happened in my life. They were newlyweds with five adopted children. As if that were not impressive enough, they told me they never planned on adopting children. It just happened! It was “God’s Plan” is the way they put it to me.
They had met by chance; and the next thing they knew, they were a family. They didn’t think they would succeed, but they never gave up. They informed me that God has plans for our lives and we should follow our hopes and dreams to the fullest.
Remembering this as I stood on the stage, I bowed my head. I closed my eyes, quickly praying for God to give me the strength and confidence to make this dream a reality.
I opened my eyes and said, real loud, “Honey Let Me Tell You.”
The audience came alive! And for the next 40 minutes, I made them smile, think and laugh about life, love and relationships. It was the first of seventeen shows I have performed so far over a five-year span.
My dream came to life! My dream became reality.
We all have hopes, dreams and goals in life. We should pursue them with vigor and tenacity.
We should all reach for the sky! And if you fall short, keep trying at whatever is in your heart to achieve your destiny. To bring your dreams to life. To follow God’s Plan.
Because Honey Let Me Tell You, I have arrived. God has made me the master of my hopes and dreams–which are now the reality of my life.
R. L. Norman is a writer, performer and author of the popular series of novels entitled, “Honey Let Me Tell You.” The latest installment entitled, “Honey Hush; Don’t Ask I Won’t Tell,” is now available in e-book format. As well, he performs“Norman’s One Night Stand,” a one-man show he conceived and wrote, showcasing the main character of his series. R. L.also is writing a play based on “Honey Let Me Tell You.” And his Podcast, “Honey Let Me Tell You Something Else,debuted January 1 on itunes. All of these endeavors are part of his production company, Honey Let Me Tell You. You may reach R. L. at his on line home, www.rlnorman1.wix.com/
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