Sheryl Lynn founded Local Applause in the fall of 2004. She and her partner Mike Robinson continue to grow a solid long lasting organization that penetrates the lives of women and the families of Jacksonville, Florida and surrounding communities. Local Applause has a deep roots for many people locally, where change begins, and is destined to make a mark on communities nationwide. As Local Applause builds in quality and strength, it will continue to recognize, appreciate, support, encourage, applaud, and celebrate those who are doing "ordinary and extraordinary things." The ongoing efforts by Local Applause members impact and inspire others to share what living a life of celebration means. We know that when we all create more positive change, more "feel good" days and more success long term, we can ultimately create a world of peace and harmony for our children and ALL people on this globe.
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A Group Like No Other
On an ordinary, sunny, Florida afternoon, a group of extraordinary women gathered for a single purpose – to celebrate together the journey of life.
About 40 women gathered at Carrabba’s Italian Grill last Friday to enjoy an hour of inspiration from one another and to hear about successful businesses and the other significant accomplishments in their lives.
They came from Kuhn Flower Shop, Ocean Vibes Massage, Home America Mortgage, Inc., Remax 100 Realty, North Florida Doctor, The Pampered Chef, Family Care Coaching and many other local businesses owned, managed or led by women.
Many of the participants represented their own entrepreneurial ventures such as jewelry making, business coaching and spa and healthcare clubs. No matter where they came from, they were there for each other, and the strength of the support network these women had developed was easily observed. Many of them had, in fact, been enjoying Friday lunch together for quite some time.
These weekly luncheons, sponsored by Local Applause, are hosted by the organization’s founder, Sheryl Lynn. Each luncheon is anchored by the positive connotation of carefully selected words of wisdom that suggest the independence and success to which all businesswomen aspire. Words of Wisdom for example, center on vision, confidence, and magnificence. This week was the word APPLAUSE, so each person took his/her turn to stand in their own ‘circle of celebration’ and express to the group why they deserved applause. The stories were varied, but each earned a sincere response from the group.
Gaye Jones from Home America Mortgage explained that she had moved from Atlanta to St. Augustine and completely changed careers as she changed her location.
She was given a heartfelt round of applause.
Beth Edenfield from Pampered Chef announced that she had been happily married for TWENTY years.
The room exploded with sincere applause.
Angie Speas from North Florida Doctor told the group that she spends her Friday’s working in a soup kitchen after a long, grueling week of work.
The men and women enthusiastically gave her applause.
Sylvia Martin-McGinnis, a Mary Kay Cosmetics consultant/director, came that day to represent a new group, Ladies Let’s Go Fishing, School of No Yelling. The group, she explained, was set up to teach women how to fish, and there is no yelling allowed, despite the frustrations that might arise.
She enjoyed good natured laughter as they gave her applause.
Katherine Wheeler came from K. Elizabeth Designs, a new business she started recently that is doing beautifully in St. Augustine.
All were delighted and gave her applause.
The hour was filled with such self-affirming and other-affirming moments as each person in turn rose from his/her table to command the attention of the group. Each shared a recent accomplishment, whether personal or business related, explaining why they, like every other person in the room, deserved applause.
Sheryl Lynn had explained that “applause is a transmission of warmth and connection from one human being to another. A ‘round of applause’ gives a sense of the positive energy circulating within a room and gathering strength, person by person.”
She told the group that applause provides encouragement, the act of filling another with courage. “Don’t hold back the music of affirmation and courage,” she told them as the first person rose to stand in her circle of celebration and take strength from the group. Applause is always part of every weekly luncheon, she said.
By the time the lunch dishes were cleared, something most impressive had occurred. Every person that was in the room walked out of the restaurant looking unchanged but not one was really the same. Each person had stood in his/her own power, even if just for a few minutes, and had the eyes and attention of each individual in the room. Each person experienced the respect of the group. Each was listened to. Each was applauded. Each was lifted up and changed.
“Every person deserves to be in a group such as this,” Sheryl Lynn said. “As we drive ourselves to multi-task in order to fulfill the needs of everyone around us, we need to stop long enough to assert our uniqueness and recognize and celebrate fully our creativity, talents and intelligence. Local Applause lunches are held weekly in St. Augustine at Carrabba’s Italian Grill and in several other locations around North Florida. . If your community does not have a Local Applause chapter, it is easy to start one by contacting the Local Applause headquarters located in Jacksonville, FL at 904-471-2585 or visit them on the web at www.localapplause.com.
Each Local Applause “loop” draws men women in to the “radiant women’s” organization without regard to social status, educational level, and position in the workforce, race, religion or other personal preferences. Through weekly lunches, regular conferring of the “Radiant Woman” awards, and locally driven publications, the Local Applause loop encourages non-judgmental support and affirmation devoid of criticism or competition.
The purpose of the network is to applaud and celebrate people fully and to create an atmosphere of warmth and nurturing like-mindedness for all individuals who attend. The ultimate desire is for everyone to feel good and then to take that feeling into the world and radiate it to all those around them.