It was a night, My parents and I are on our way to a restaurant for dinner. Then my pastor called, asking whether I wanted to go to the workshop that "Pastor Calvin personally came to promote". So I went. Well having been to BNTS where I was taught presentation skills, so I thought that could be an advantage for me. As everyone thought this 3days 2 night workshop is going to be "fun" and filled with "games". Well, Its the OPPOSITE.
Me being the youngest in the workshop, is really a disadvantage for me as I have no experience in the outside world yet. The only one from my church, I felt scared as I might be very lonely.
So, the Public Speaking Workshop has special assignments, with growing difficulty. Starting from a 2 minute speech, to a 5 minute speech, and so on. You are not allowed to bring a paper for reference, but you can use visual aids like the white board provided. And on top of that, if the judges are not satisfied, you have to redo, redo, redo until they are completely satisfied. For me, I have passed the first 3 assignments, well I BARELY passed. For the 4th one, it was frustrating for me because, I kept redo-ing till I got so pressured that I quietly went to the toilet, and I started to cry.
It was the very 1st time that I cried over pressure. Even with my so-called "happy go lucky" personality, I still cried. So I eventually gave up, called my parents, and went home. It was very nerve wrecking as I somehow kept thinking that I could have just continued and I might pass. My excuse? Too much pressure.
I might not be as experienced like the others, I might not be as good as the others, but, I'm still young, I could continue learning. This workshop was a whole new experience for me as it changed my perspective towards public speaking. For me,even though I didn't get to finish the whole course, I feel I have changed. To my fellow friends, I urge you, even though this workshop could actually make you breakdown, but it will really improve your skills as a public speaker.
oh yeah, Darren is the only person who joined, this post was posted on LCMS Youth Blog.
Posted by,
Darren