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February 22, 2020

Five Minute Friday: RISK

Five Minute Friday: RISK

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.) 

Five Minute Friday: RISK
Paula Kiger
Paula Kiger

Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.

Filed Under: Five Minute Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Natasha says

    February 22, 2020 at 11:39 am

    Joining you from FMF. Hope your speaking engagement goes well!

    Reply
    • Paula Kiger says

      February 22, 2020 at 12:07 pm

      Thank you so much, Natasha. I appreciate the positive thoughts!

      Reply
  2. raggedyjane says

    February 22, 2020 at 12:56 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Paula Kiger says

      February 22, 2020 at 10:19 pm

      Thank you, Jane. Send a prayer my way!

      Reply
  3. Andrew Budek-Schmeisser says

    February 24, 2020 at 12:46 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Paula Kiger says

      February 25, 2020 at 8:48 pm

      Thank you, Andrew. I appreciate this more than I can say.

      Reply
  4. Innerdialects says

    February 26, 2020 at 1:10 pm

    All the very best with your speaking engagement. I love how you shared that with us. This is an FMF friend, Godbless!
    ⚘

    Reply
    • Paula Kiger (Big Green Pen) says

      February 26, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

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