A few years ago I was attending a training for an event called Evening of Dreams which is a dance for special needs individuals. I had signed up to be a date for one young man. During the training, the woman in charge told us that there would be times throughout the night where we might be uncomfortable and she urged us to learn how to be comfortable being uncomfortable. I took these words to heart and now think about them whenever I am in a situation where I am not 100% comfortable.
Last weekend I took a trip down to San Diego with my mom for the California State PEO Convention. PEO is a woman's organization that supports women and education, they also own Cottey College (the best college on planet earth). A year ago I was asked to speak at the convention, and I agreed not really knowing what I was getting myself into.
This past Sunday, I made some last minute changes to my speech and headed off to dinner full of anxiety. I sat down at dinner surrounded by what seemed to be thousands of people and I read over my speech a few times being a rather rude dinner guest. I kept reminding myself that it was okay to be nervous and to be a little uncomfortable, as I had never given a speech to so many people before. After dinner, I walked over to the ballroom and found my place on stage. I felt like I was on an important panel with a water pitcher and glass right in front of me. Cottey College President Dr. Jann Weitzel started out the evening and gave her wonderful speech, and then before I knew it I was up at the podium talking in front of nearly 900 people, mostly women.
After giving the speech and listening to two more fabulous women speak, I found my mom and she gave me one of the biggest hugs ever. People came up to me and said I did a great job and asked how I managed to talk in front of so many people and not look nervous. The answer was simple, I wasn't nervous. Throughout the years, I have taught myself how to be comfortable in situations that are nerve-wracking and uncomfortable. Overall this has made me a much more confident person. So I was able to tell these curious people that I wasn't nervous, I was excited to take on such a big challenge, and I was simply talking to a room full of my PEO Sisters.
I believe that all things in life should be looked at as a challenge, something to conquer and accomplish and be proud of. By hearing such simple words one Saturday afternoon I have been able to transform my life and learn to be comfortable in the most uncomfortable of situations.
