Years ago, over ten years in fact, I taught my first youth etiquette class. As a volunteer with several youth non profits, I was asked to lead an etiquette class for the youth.

“Why do you want the kids to hate me?” I asked.

It was meant to be a joke, but I really felt like I was getting set up and would never develop a positive relationship with the kids if I only taught “stiff” and “boring” subjects. Everyone else was requested to teach fun classes such as art, modeling, strong friendships, and here they were asking me to teach a class on manners and etiquette. Surprised by my response they assured me that it was because there was no one better to ask than me.

Have you ever experienced someone seeing something in you well before you can see it in yourself? I didn’t think about manners and etiquette as something to teach. After all, when doing my research I found that most of the rules and guidance was common sense. I mean, didn’t everyone have an older sister who taught you to sit up straight and chew your food at least 100 times before swallowing? No? Just me?

I took an etiquette course and received my certification and when I taught that etiquette class, I realized that I captured the kids attention much more than other instructors. The students sat up more. They were engaged so much that with every question I asked, there were always multiple hands to choose an answer from. Seeing youth so interested in wanting the knowledge to do the things that would make them feel more confident and secure was all it took for me to really continue on this journey.

My daughter was around two years old at the time of this first class. Years later, as I worked with preschool aged students instead of teenagers, I wrote Princess Lizzie Learns Manners.

And then, I sat on it.

I would only read it or share it with those who I felt would appreciate it. I did once look for an illustrator, but her image was never quite the right representation of her.

So I hid her away with other written works. Taking her out from time to time to add on more stories for her series. That is until now.

There were many things that kept me from printing/publishing Princess Lizzie. I wasn’t confident. I was afraid of what people might say. I didn’t feel like it was any good. Any and every reason, but then I realized,

I don’t want to die with my any dream left in me.

So, I face my fears and all of the uncertainty by taking actions. One step at a time.

I surround myself with people who are good at reminding me of what I am capable of. I ask questions of those who are where I want to be. How did you do it? Did you struggle in the same areas like me?

And now, more than 10 years later, I smile, knowing that she’s finally here for the world to see.