Nerves and Words

Hello Cyberspace.

It's been a little while since I've posted anything, so I decided that I should open the spigot of my thoughts for a moment.

We've been working on presentations in class recently, including reading excerpts - practicing reading things aloud to an audience and having it not sound like a grocery list. So far I've selected the tipping conversation from Reservoir Dogs, an excerpt from 1984 (the same one I blogged), the mirror scene from Casino Jack and a scene from Forrest Gump. It's really very interesting to see how different people react under the pressure of public speaking, even among a small group of fellow pupils.

The first time I remember doing any public speaking whatsoever was in Grade 4. All of the classes in my school had to write a four line poem about why we loved Canada (I think it was a Canada day thing)...then we're having an assembly and suddenly my teacher taps on the shoulder, pulls me aside and says "You have to go up on stage and read this." I almost shit myself. A giant iceball formed in my stomach, and walking out in front of that audience made it explode through my entire body. I approached the microphone, feeling as though my bladder would let go at any second. My arms, legs...even my voice was shaking. I turned around and tried to walk off stage...but then I was lifted off the ground and placed back in front of the microphone. I read it...and I survived.

I can understand the fear of public speaking - it seems as though you are automatically being judged on absolutely everything about yourself, especially if you are reading or presenting your own idea. Walking in front of a group of people that you don't know and just putting yourself out there. I liken it to what it must feel like for a tightrope walker to step out onto that rope for the first time without a safety net. You're out there...all alone.

Having said this, I feel as though I've beat my fear. That first experience was probably a huge contributing factor in the fact that even in junior high I seemed to be infinitely less nervous than my classmates. I can get up in front of a crowd and perform (I did a few plays in high school - we even had a performance at the Rebecca Cohn), read or whatever.

But that doesn't mean I'm not still nervous. And I think that this where the secret to public speaking lies. I've seen and heard it over and over again - courage is not the absence of fear, but the will to overcome it. I think that most of us still get those butterflies...still feel ourselves shaking a little bit. But good public speakers know that this is not Biblical times. You will not be crucified for making a mistake. Sure, it may be embarrassing at the time...but chances are there will be no actual repercussion. Hell, a year later you'll probably laugh about it.

So if you've got to do some public speaking...just remember - the audience is made of people who are just like you.

Peace and Love
The Critical Stranger

As always thoughts, comments and suggestions are encouraged and appreciated!!