{"id":10044,"date":"2020-05-22T18:59:47","date_gmt":"2020-05-22T18:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qryptonyght.com\/?p=10044"},"modified":"2020-08-21T02:59:00","modified_gmt":"2020-08-21T02:59:00","slug":"what-scares-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qryptonyght.com\/de\/what-scares-you\/","title":{"rendered":"What Scares You?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What scares you, is it a fear of heights? for some there\u2019s nothing quite as scary as public speaking. While that may not be true for you, you would be surprised how many fear public speaking more than death itself! In fact, researchers say that public speaking and social anxiety are among the top 5 things most people are\u00a0 afraid of.<\/p>\n

I myself struggle with public speaking, although not so much because it scares me. It is a challenge because I am prone to becoming overly emotional when speaking on a topic I am passionate about. One would think that the easiest way to avoid the embarrassing loss of composure, is to simply avoid speaking about anything I am passionate about right? Wrong! The only thing I feel emboldened enough to speak about are those very things I am most passionate about! So therein lies the problem!<\/p>\n

My first foray into public speaking was at my older brother\u2019s wedding.<\/p>\n

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I was 19 at the time and a close friend of the bride so it was no surprise that I was chosen as her first bridesmaid. My 3yr old cute-as-a-button niece was chosen as the flower girl. My mom coached my niece for weeks on how to deliver a pretty bit of verse at the wedding reception. No one thought to coach me or even asked what I planned to say, it appeared everyone assumed I had this.<\/p>\n

Confident in my ability to deliver a brilliant, off-the-cuff speech, I did not commit anything to paper. That evening, when my turn came to speak I was nervous as all get out, my palms were damp, my heart was racing and my throat was suddenly dry. I remembered that I had experienced this same nerve-wracking fear during a solo dance recital as a child. I alone had stepped onto a stage with all eyes on me.<\/p>\n

The fear of making a mistake had paralyzed me, but when I looked up, my class teacher’s calm, steadying gaze and the imperceptible encouraging nod of her head boosted my confidence and I began my routine. Soon I had become so lost in the familiar movements that I had forgotten the watching audience. The ovation at the end was my moment of pure bliss! Reflecting on that instant, I thought surely this speech couldn’t be that difficult.<\/p>\n

I boldly took the mic and began, \u201cgood evening, family, friends and well-wishers, this is indeed a very happy occasion for us all as we celebrate the union between my brother Greg and my dear friend Andrea\u201d. I paused as everyone turned their full intention to me \u201cAndrea and I have been close friends over the past few years and today I am truly honored and happy to welcome her into the Brusch family\u201d.<\/p>\n

I was almost there! I knew what my next sentence was going to be but suddenly I became overwhelmed with emotion. My lips trembled and I was mortified as sudden tears welled up in my eyes, but I continued in a shaky voice \u201cplease join me in wishing Greg and Andrea a life of everlasting love, laughter and happiness. May their love for each other grow stronger as they grow old together\u201d. Forcing a wobbly smile through tears, I finally came to the end of my last sentence. Everyone got out their handkerchiefs to dab at their eyes as we raised our glasses to toast the bride and groom.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n