optimism

This incident happened over two decades ago when I was in high school.There was a debate competition in my neighbouring school and me and my friend volunteered to participate in the debate,there were many topics to choose from and I choose to speak on AIDS..this topic was almost taboo in those days as people were shy to talk about it.Even though I had no idea what the competition would be like,I decided to go ahead and prepare for it and I used a article from a magazine as reference,every speaker had about five minutes on the stsg and they were to be judged by a jury of teachers from different schools.On the day if the event,I practiced my lines but was feeling tensed as there would be a huge audience and the stage fear was chasing me already and truly it caught up with me,when I reached the auditorium,it was huge.The competition began,and I was getting sweaty palms,my preparations went for a toss when the speaker before my turn coincidentally had chosen the same topic as me and also referred the same magazine and reproduced it line by line,leaving me in a daze on what to do next as I just had a couple of minutes with me.Soon enough I was on the stage and I could muster courage and speak for only two minutes,I felt so bad,I had not only let my school down but also myself,I could not forgive myself,I then decided to put in my best efforts and overcome my stage fear and prepare well for the next debate and luckily I did not have to wait long as the next competition was organised by my school,this time I my topic was against castesim in Indian society.I wrote the script with my own efforts and practiced for hours in front of the mirror even though I had to learn the script by heart, with a pause,stress and making of eye contact wherever required. The day came and this time I did not have sweaty palms,was confident about my self and just went about doing my job and lasted the whole five minutes,I had a very satisfied feeling coming from within,I had conquered my demons.The icing on the cake was when the results were announced,I had come second in the event,I was so happy that all my effort did not go in vain.If a person tries with persevearance he can achieve his goals.

Submitted by Anonymous

Believe In Yourself