Why I’m Attempting to Break a Guinness World Record Oct. 1
By Brooklyn Calloway | 9.21.16
People ask how I came up with the idea of attempting to set a new Guinness World Record for the “largest furniture restoration lesson (single venue).” What prompted me to go SO BIG? Well, anyone who knows me, knows my lifelong motto has always been, “Go Big or Go Home!”
Breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest furniture refinishing workshop on Earth will be a “credential” after my name, similar to a realtor’s certification. I created my own business. I sell and make things that no one else makes. Since there are no credentials for me, I have to make them up and create opportunities to further my career, on a path that has yet to be blazed.
Workshops have been a passion of mine for about four years. And for 30 years, teaching has been my life’s work. In fact, I used to force my reluctant cousins to sit down and stare at me while I swung around a wand, pointing at an imaginary chalkboard. And, I chastised them for not sitting still. Not my best moment, but you get the picture.
Later, as a middle school teacher for 11 years with the Frisco Independent School District, I still remember the first day’s lesson of each school year. I told my students that before the year was over, I was going to make them “sharks in a sea full of minnows.” This meant that no matter what we were learning or doing, they would become better versions of themselves. I taught them that in my classroom, if they gave me their whole hearts and minds, every day, there were no limits to what we could achieve, together.
Even though I am no longer in the classroom teaching students, I know they are watching me. And, breaking a world record means that I am showing them through my actions, dreaming big matters. Period.
Getting up in front of others, teaching, pretending, bossing, talking and creating is the core of who I am. I guess it shouldn’t go without saying: I get bored easily. Climbing new life-changing mountains is what gets me up in the morning. Nothing I do ever seems to be easy, but it’s worth it. I keep reminding myself of this a lot lately because this latest mountain – breaking a world record – is eating my lunch.
No matter the sacrifices, I have one other goal: to be an inspiration to my own children, my previous students, my community, family and friends. I want them to live life to its fullest, to scale those scary mountains and to try EVERYTHING their heart desires. God only gave us this one life and He does not promise tomorrow, so “Go Big” today because you may be “Called Home” tomorrow.
World’s Largest Furniture Refinishing Workshop:
Deadline to Register: Friday, September 23 at 6 pm
Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 10 to NOON
Celina, TX Town Square; 142 N Ohio St, Celina, TX 75009
$15 Bring Your Own Chair | $35 Let Us Provide Your Chair
More Information & Registration: bit.ly/gwrecord
w: www.BrookielynnsBungalow.com
e: hello@brookielynnsbungalow.com
p: 972-689-5453
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