Almost Autumn

One of the wonders of nature is how the ordinary can become extraordinary with the changing of the seasons — like these vines on a fence I chanced upon outside Church last Sunday. To me, it’s a sign of hope — that there will always be something beautiful to appreciate even when everything around us seems to be dark and ugly, and heavy on the heart

Daily Prompt: In the Spotlight

Daily Prompt: NAKED WITH BLACK SOCKS – Are you comfortable in front of people, or does the idea of public speaking make you want to hide in the bathroom? Why?

I used to join (and win) extemporaneous speaking competitions in high school, so you can see that “stagefright” is something I’m able to handle rather well.  It doesn’t mean I didn’t have any, I just overcame it somehow.

They would give us the topic minutes before we were asked to deliver a speech, then we were judged, and the winner for the year level went on to the inter-year.  I won those, too, even when I wasn’t the most senior contender.

I was asked to emcee various programs in school and no matter how many times I had done it, there were butterflies in my stomach each time.

I like connecting with people when I’m on stage, so while others pretend there’s no one there, I actually find someone or something to focus on and connect with.  I turn it into a conversation so I don’t feel alone under the spotlight.

If I hadn’t left Manila where I was into Public Relations and Advertising, I would’ve sought out jobs where I would be speaking on behalf of companies or individuals either in person or in writing.  In fact, I had volunteered in jest to be such for one of my dear friends who is dreaming of one day heading the government agency he is a part of… one day.

We just have to find our voice — and once we find it, own it, and it will come naturally.  Stage fright or no stage fright.