Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?
Sure, I’ve done stuff like school dance recitals and little plays here and there but what sticks out the most to me is the talks I would get called to do in church.
I was pretty active in religious activities during a few high school years at the Latter Day Saints Church.
Every Sunday, your bishop speaks—shares something spiritual—followed by members of the church (all ages) who get to speak and share something as well.
When you are called to give a “talk” the bishop usually pulls you aside and asks if you can give a talk on forgiveness, grace, gratitude, etc. Whatever really.
And you do have the choice to accept or decline but I always accepted because I guess, it felt right.
I honestly didn’t mind whenever I got an opportunity to talk to the whole church because you were really listened to.
If we want to dig deeper on that, that could be in fact why I did enjoy it. I was being heard, where at home I felt ignored. It wasn’t like my parents didn’t talk to me, it was all just surface level conversations. We never talked about hard stuff. I was always just given books to inform me. The stuff I wanted to discuss in person just didn’t happen.
Anyways after you gave your talk people afterwards would come up and make polite remarks about what you shared. Truthfully, I enjoyed it.
Interesting though where we find strength and comfort in talking to a whole group or audience versus talking in front of a group of peers at school (highschool/college).
That’s another story. Never enjoyed those.
The Wild Gems 