By Mandy Feder —
I”m not afraid of much. I am fascinated by wild animals and often get too close to them without thinking.
I think snakes are cool. I”ve been skydiving, white-water rafting and bungee-jumping.
But the shortcoming I have spent my life battling is public speaking.
In an attempt to face my personal deficit head-on, I participate in events that involve public speaking.
I was making leaps and bounds this last year. As a member of the California State University, Chico Journalism Advisory Board, I speak with confidence and volume.
This is also true in my role as a judge for the California Newspaper Publishers Association. This is my field and once I get into the zone, focusing on my passion for journalism, I”m fine.
But last weekend I spoke at an event, reading someone else”s words in a prepared speech and I froze. I was too quiet and obviously uncomfortable.
It was terribly frustrating, I was angry with myself. I certainly did not want to do or say anything that would lend to the event not being successful.
I heard some laughter and an unkind remark or two from the audience.
The Stephen King movie Carrie came to mind.
But, nah. I”m not a victim, nor am I vengeful.
I can take an insult more readily and with more grace than I can take a compliment.
Those were juvenile actions taken by a few people who probably define themselves by feeling as though they are superior when they see an Achilles Heel in someone else. I call it the human ladder, people elevating themselves by stepping on others.
Too bad for them, I would much rather be a poor speaker than a bad human any day.
Mandy Feder is the Managing Editor at Lake County Publishing. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32. Follow on Twitter @mandyfeder1.
