Girl Scout Speech

I was the guest speaker for the Rabun County Girl Scout Troops. And this is the speech that I presented to them. Hope you find it to be inspiring and up lifting. God Bless you!


Good Evening Girl Scouts! My name is Sonya Thompson and I was a girl scout a long time ago, being a girl scout carried on into my adult life in so many ways. I try to live by the Girl Scout Motto to always “be prepared” And the girl scout Law has always been incorporated into my daily life. I always try to compliment and do for others as I would want done to me.

I didn’t realize until years ago that my compliments meant so much to so many people that surrounded me. I often get messages from people on face book and other sites, telling me that I made a difference in their lives at some point or another. God places us where we are suppose to be and leads us on the paths that we are suppose to be on.

I have been on several different paths and I believe that God provides us with different opportunities. We just have to know which doors to open, all the way and which doors to leave cracked. We are not super human and can not do everything at one time. There are times, when things get in the way, but you have to remember that sometimes, as much as we may want something to happen right then, that it might not be in the plans, until later on in life.

I have a speed bump theory about life. When approaching a speed bump always slow down and take the time to figure out the best way of going over it. When going over it slowly, then you are able to deal with the speed bump in a intelligent and wise way. If you go over the speed bumps to quickly, well then you have to deal with consequences. The shocks in your car are then at that point, messed up and there is always that possibility that the tire could blow out. Now do keep in mind that some times speed bumps show up, so quickly, that we do not have time to go over them slowly.

Use the same principle in life, when a problem arises, don’t just hurry passed it, take the time to deal with it and move on. Its done, its finished. If you deal with a problem too quickly, well then you might have a blow out and the problem will get worse, before it will get better. And if by chance a challenge happens without notice, then deal with it the best that you can and know that it will get better, as long as you are always “prepared” to jump into action at a moments notice.

Knowledge is power and having knowledge is what helps us to achieve our dreams and reach our goals. Without knowledge, we wouldn’t even know how to tie our shoes. Do not limit your self. I came up with a slogan about 6 years ago. “The world is my canvas and I am ready to paint“. Meaning that I was ready to live life each day and enjoy all that the universe has to offer me. At that point, something incredible began to happen.

So many doors that I thought had completely slammed shut, began to crack open. I felt that God was pushing me inside and telling me not to fear my dreams, but to live them. So I did. I learned how to Kayak. Now that is one of my favorite pass times. It is so relaxing to be on the river, surrounded by so much nature. I love going over the rapids, but also leaning back during the calm waters and letting all of God’s work absorb with in me.
I love adventure and I believe that is why I joined the Girl Scouts years ago. I learned so much about hiking and camping and water proofing matches and so much about friendships and kindness.

Other things that I enjoy doing: white water rafting, drawing, singing, dancing, playing basketball, hiking, Zip lining, rock climbing, repelling, being a Massage therapist and also being an actor.

The last two, massage therapy and acting are passions of mine. Massage Therapy is very rewarding, I love helping others to get well. I have been a massage therapist for over 18 years. And within my career I have met and helped so many people. I have massaged pro wrestlers, Major league baseball players, such as Jeff Francore and David Estein, NFL players, Pro Cyclist, Olympians, Pro Tennis players such as John Isner. The list goes on, but one thing is the same with each of us. They work hard to achieve a higher goal of performance, while I was also working hard to help them achieve that higher goal of performance. Everyone needs assistance from time to time to achieve the goals that are in front of us. Its what you put into it, that achieves the results that you get.

My massage work is connected to my Acting. Keep in mind that, I have observed the greats in action. I have massaged high profile players but also high profile actors. Now that is not how I began my acting career. I have always been an entertainer. As a Child I wanted to sing and dance on broad way, that is still my dream and I know that one day that will happen. My dream gets closer every day.

But let me tell you how I got on the current path that I am on now. One day, I was working on a massage client and he was exhausted. So I asked him why he was so tired. And he replied that he had been working on a movie all night and would be at again that night. He caught my attention, so I asked, if I could bring my daughter by to watch. She is a brilliant actress and I wanted to expose her to a real live movie set. I was thinking, Maybe she could meet the right people, to send her in the right direction of an acting career. Yes I was being a mother, that is what mothers do, watch out for their kids and find outlets for them to be successful. So my client told me and her to come dressed as though we were going to a upscale formal wedding. I ran home and we got dressed, showed up on set and they immediately put us both right in front of the camera! WOW! The fire that was lit under me was the most amazing feeling that I had ever felt!! It was the same passion that I have for massage.

We ended up working three nights in a row and had the best time. Hanging out with Desmond Harrington from the movie Ghost Ship, Sunny Mabrey from the movie Snakes on a Plane, Kathleen Robertson from the original TV show 90210, she was the bad girl Claire. Barry Corbin was there. Will Estes from Law and Order and Elden Henson from The butterfly effect and Christian Kane, from Angel and Leverage, Sara Rue from the movie Pearl Harbor. There were several other movie stars there also and we were dancing and having fun with all of them.

I enjoyed it so much that I inquired about how to get started and one of the actors hooked me up with a casting agency in Atlanta and boom it began, Now I have an agent, an acting coach and vocal coach. I have been in movies such as the Blind side and Zombieland. I made it to that Zombieland DVD three times! I have worked on the hit TV show Drop Dead Diva for two seasons. I am not going to list all of the projects that I have been involved with, because there are so many. But I will tell you about a couple of my most recent projects. Now keep in mind that I had to sign a confidentiality agreement with one of these shows, so I am limited to certain things to discuss.

Not sure if you have every heard of the comic book called The Walking Dead, but I am a featured Zombie in the AMC TV series that will be premiering Halloween night at 10 pm. From my understanding, they are going to show all 6 episodes that night. They have used my image to promote the tv show all over the world. I am in issue #75, only four zombies from the show were chosen for this comic book and I was one of them. I am on T-shirts and buttons and tote bags. I have the comic book and t-shirt with me today. The process for make up took about an hour and a half. I worked 14-16 hour days on this show and did a lot of my own stunt work. Keep in mind that I am always in the same Green dress and cardigan.

The other project that I want to talk to you about is the movie More Than Diamonds. I went to the Red Carpet Premiere Thursday night in Greenville, SC. It was amazing and so I went back last night to see it again with my daughter and a few friends. I had about three lines in the movie and I also did one scene as a back ground actor. What was so cool after the movie both nights was having people come up to me and say “Hey you were the Lottery Ticket Customer”

Last night, was very special to me. I sat next to this ten year old little girl and her mother. As my scene played out on the big screen, I over heard the little girl tell her mom, “that’s her, that’s her mom.” She was so excited to be sitting next to me. At that moment, I felt not only a sense of accomplishment, but a sense of Purpose. I was able to make this little girl feel happiness and joy, without even saying a word to her. When the movie ended, I felt a little poke on my arm, so I turned to her and introduced myself. She told me how great I did and asked me what other things had I been involved with. I only listed a few things that I thought she would recognize. She is an actress, in the local theater in Greenville and wanted to know how to become a film actor. I told her and her mother to find an agency and follow her dream. She will be able to reach it one day, because I am able to see mine come closer every day.

I am not sure what more I can say, other than don’t limit your self to one special hobby or one dream. Expand your mind with knowledge and always be Prepared! I have spoke to many foundations in the past, but being a guest for the Girl Scouts of America is the most honor I have felt. And I thank you for this opportunity. Have a great night and be sure to follow your dreams!