RISK:
By this time next Saturday, I’ll be within an hour or two of giving a speech to a gathering Tallahassee Alumnae Panhellenic.
I am thrilled to have been asked; however, this all seems like a big risk.
I love public speaking. Yet, I haven’t been involved in Toastmasters for a few years, so it’s easy to get into a loop of questioning whether I care enough to keep practicing my craft. (I know we choose the priorities in life that matter most, but while we still had our old house and its lofty mortgage, I never felt like I could let up on my side hustles that were helping keep us afloat financially. Side hustles take time, time that could have been spent continuing my Toastmasters work.)
Anyway, the lovely lady who called to ask me to speak was an enjoyable chatting companion. She also told me that last year’s speaker was Sally Karioth, who is an internationally renowned speaker. I remember my mother-in-law coming home from hearing her speak and saying, “I just had to hug my husband and tell him I loved him after that.”
WELP. That’s quite a takeaway from hearing a speech!
I’ve actually toyed with making my title, “I’m not Sally Karioth, but I have something to say.”
I won’t do that, but I am glad I am taking this risk. Thinking through my topic (which is essentially how you can go beyond giving money to serve your community well) has — at a minimum — ignited my love for a favorite subject.
And I think I have learned a few things over the years that give me great material from which to speak.
People may not leave and tell their significant others how much they love them, but hopefully they’ll be inspired to show their love to a fellow human being, even if it involves the risk of being a little vulnerable.
Welcome to this week’s Five Minute Friday. Our instructions, via creator Kate Motaung: “Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.” (But I can’t resist spell checking, as you can imagine.)
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
Joining you from FMF. Hope your speaking engagement goes well!
Thank you so much, Natasha. I appreciate the positive thoughts!
Congratulations on this opportunity! That in itself is a huge compliment to your skill and reputation and appeal as a writer, speaker, humanitarian, and citizen. You will rock it!
Thank you, Jane. Send a prayer my way!
I know you’ll do a great job, Paula.
Because…
Although we have never met,
and in this life, we never will,
the strong feeling that I get
is that your words could rightly fill
a classroom and a sanctuary,
a glass-walled auditorium,
and even more (are you ready?)
the largest football stadium.
You resonate the kind of truth
that we truly need to hear,
with the strong faith of a Ruth
holding old Naomi dear.
To hear you will be joy so bright,
an evening of profound delight.
Thank you, Andrew. I appreciate this more than I can say.
All the very best with your speaking engagement. I love how you shared that with us. This is an FMF friend, Godbless!
⚘
Thank you so much!