How life is forcing me to overcome my fear of public speaking

I remember it like it was yesterday. My first speech class in High School. I was fresh out of Haiti, spoke little to no English, already shy by nature and now I had to stand in front of the class and speak in this foreign tongue. If my speech lasted 5 minutes, I cried every. single. second. of. it. Every single time, the entire semester.

One day, our speech teacher assigned a persuasive speech as homework. Writing down the assignment at home was no big deal. But as usual, when it was my turn, I told myself I would fight back the tears. LIES! As soon as I started my speech, the tears came as they always did but I got through it. My classmates were kind enough never to make fun of me but although I was always embarrassed for being such a cry baby, I just couldn’t help it.

When it was their turn to speak, they all spoke with no apparent fear but the content of their speeches left the teacher underwhelmed. After everyone’s speech was complete, he told the class that they could have done better and that Edwina was the only person who followed the directions he gave. *insert shocked face* WHAT? I could not believe my ears. Are you actually complimenting the cry baby? I think in that moment, a seed of confidence was planted in me. It would be years before I would be more comfortable in front of an audience but although I am still a work in progress, each time, it gets a little easier.

This month alone, I served as a lector at my church multiple times, I was interviewed for a local TV show as part of the Executive Board of a non-profit organization, I served as the spokesperson in a small group Bible study, I volunteered to pray at the end of said Bible study, and I participated in a video campaign with fellow bloggers. Sometimes, I can’t believe I am the same little girl who was cowed into silence at the mere thought of public speaking.

Am I a public speaking professional now? Absolutely not. My voice still cracks when my nerves take over. I use my hands a lot as I speak to calm myself down but one thing’s for sure, I will not let fear stop me from God’s best for me. I refuse to turn down any opportunity that requires me to stand in front of an audience. Who knows? Maybe one day I will do a TED talk. Maybe one day, I will host a conference. Maybe one day, I will speak on a panel. Nothing will stop me from living a life of purpose and fear will certainly not stop me from giving God the glory He deserves by fully utilizing the talents He gave me. I’m still horrified at the idea of starting a YouTube channel so this message is also a pep talk to myself to just do it…

So today, I ask you this: What are you afraid of? Have you taken a step towards breaking down those fears? Remember friend, it’s in the doing that the fear will dissolve itself. So get to work, do it scared but whatever you do, don’t be paralyzed into stagnation – i.e. lack of activity, growth, or development! What’s not growing, is dying so by all means, make a move!

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• Photography: Enroute.Studio