Years ago I joined the local Toastmasters Club. I thought that by learning some skills and challenging myself to speak publicly I could develop confidence and ultimately, perhaps, overcome my stuttering. That was my plan. After a couple of meetings where I participated in some minor, spontaneous speaking activities they scheduled me for my introductory speech. I was given a few weeks to prepare a short speech that I would deliver to the club as a way of introducing myself to the other members. I knew immediately what I would say in my speech, I just had to put it down on paper and make sure it was not too long.
I have heard that most people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the few opportunities I’ve had to prepare and deliver a speech. And this speech was my first ever.
What I said was that anyone who knows me very well knows two things about me: my father died when I was a little boy and I stuttered horribly when I was young. And I still believe that, but it’s ironic because the two things that have most defined me as a person are the very things that prevent me from being confident in who I am and expressing my identity to others.
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