•I was twenty minutes into my first practice run of the speech I had written and realized I also was only half way through it! Talking faster didn’t seem the effective solution so I decided that I had better come up with a shorter way for you to get to know me.
•I needed an approach that framed my history in such a way that it gives you a glimpse of who I am and how I got here from there and do it in less than 6 minutes let alone 20. I had some decisions to make.
•We make thousands and thousands of decisions in our lives.
Some of my early decision....
Some of my early decision....
Had anyone been paying attention my early decisions gave big clues to who I am.
I was three when I decided that I wanted to cross the street and go to the store and get myself a Popsicle all by myself. Of course I didn’t know it at the time but it was the first of many adventures I would make – on my own. I got home safely btw but without the Popsicle.
Another early decision was choosing a musical instrument in grade school. I had decided I wanted to play the saxophone. Probably saw it on TV and liked the look of it. (I make a lot of decisions because I like 'the look and feel' of something or someone.) I confidently announced to the music teacher, Mr Burris, that I choose the saxophone. He calmly nodded and said ok but first you must learn the clarinet. I said no no I want to play the saxophone. He said no and I said ok then I'll play the trumpet. You see, I am a bit stubborn, arbitrary and a little off center.
As it turned out I did have some affinity for the trumpet. I was the first female trumpeter in Genesee County - but it wasn't my calling or my passion - it didn't come easily as it did to my Father and brothers. However I did have one shining moment. It was written in the margin of a high school dance band competition score sheet by a judge to Mr Burris. It read 'she sure can make a trumpet sound pretty.' I still feel good about that.
High School
Another early decision was choosing a musical instrument in grade school. I had decided I wanted to play the saxophone. Probably saw it on TV and liked the look of it. (I make a lot of decisions because I like 'the look and feel' of something or someone.) I confidently announced to the music teacher, Mr Burris, that I choose the saxophone. He calmly nodded and said ok but first you must learn the clarinet. I said no no I want to play the saxophone. He said no and I said ok then I'll play the trumpet. You see, I am a bit stubborn, arbitrary and a little off center.
As it turned out I did have some affinity for the trumpet. I was the first female trumpeter in Genesee County - but it wasn't my calling or my passion - it didn't come easily as it did to my Father and brothers. However I did have one shining moment. It was written in the margin of a high school dance band competition score sheet by a judge to Mr Burris. It read 'she sure can make a trumpet sound pretty.' I still feel good about that.
High School
•I wanted to be a cheerleader – you know how itis - instant ‘cool’.
•I didn’t make the squad in my freshman year, or sophomore or junior year. One of the biggest disappointments in my short life. However, after that first year let down I became a sports statistician and not for the high profile sports but the new sports being introduced to the school. Like wrestling and track. I adapted.
And I became an important part of the athletic department. I grew to realize that it was just as good - perhaps not so cool - to do what I was good at.
– and, so, though it was a difficult decision I chose not to tryout my senior year. Not because I was afraid of failing again, but because I wanted to make a statement at least to myself that I didn’t need to be a cheerleader, I wasn’t that kind of cool.
College - the decision to quit...
To be a teacher or not to be a teacher….back when my decision was made I wasn't aware of all the opportunities that I might have taken advantage of - my world was pretty small - or at least I believed my opportunities were limited. In any event it seemed to be either Nursing (no way) or secretarial (yuk) or teaching - since teaching was what I was most familiar with - so be it.
My Dad was a teacher, I had played at being a teacher pretty much every day as a child but when I got to college to actually be a teacher , I wasn't ready to be a teacher.
I was having difficulty fitting in, wasn't doing well academically and I hid out in my dorm room. Somehow, I got involved with a man who was verbally abusing me, and I had no idea how to deal with this situation, so I quit. It was drastic but it solved two problems. Quitting is usually viewed in the negative. This was a decision that may have saved my life. I'll never know. There were other ways to handle the problem I know but I made a decision – a difficult one and I moved on.
Then there were the middle years (a whole other speech!)- decisions to go back to school, to move, to change jobs, careers, homes, states.
•There are many other decisions I made between then and now. Decisions I regret. Decisions that helped me survive and decisions that made my life fun. Decisions that define me in a way. I’m adventuresome , stubborn, a little off center and adaptable. And I’m not done yet. Who knows where my decision to join ToastMasters may lead me?
And I became an important part of the athletic department. I grew to realize that it was just as good - perhaps not so cool - to do what I was good at.
– and, so, though it was a difficult decision I chose not to tryout my senior year. Not because I was afraid of failing again, but because I wanted to make a statement at least to myself that I didn’t need to be a cheerleader, I wasn’t that kind of cool.
College - the decision to quit...
To be a teacher or not to be a teacher….back when my decision was made I wasn't aware of all the opportunities that I might have taken advantage of - my world was pretty small - or at least I believed my opportunities were limited. In any event it seemed to be either Nursing (no way) or secretarial (yuk) or teaching - since teaching was what I was most familiar with - so be it.
My Dad was a teacher, I had played at being a teacher pretty much every day as a child but when I got to college to actually be a teacher , I wasn't ready to be a teacher.
I was having difficulty fitting in, wasn't doing well academically and I hid out in my dorm room. Somehow, I got involved with a man who was verbally abusing me, and I had no idea how to deal with this situation, so I quit. It was drastic but it solved two problems. Quitting is usually viewed in the negative. This was a decision that may have saved my life. I'll never know. There were other ways to handle the problem I know but I made a decision – a difficult one and I moved on.
Then there were the middle years (a whole other speech!)- decisions to go back to school, to move, to change jobs, careers, homes, states.
•There are many other decisions I made between then and now. Decisions I regret. Decisions that helped me survive and decisions that made my life fun. Decisions that define me in a way. I’m adventuresome , stubborn, a little off center and adaptable. And I’m not done yet. Who knows where my decision to join ToastMasters may lead me?
Testing posting a comment.
ReplyDeleteVery clever approach to introducing yourself. They say we are each the sum of our experiences, I can see that, for the most part, those experiences are the results of the decisions we make. Very thought provoking presentation! Thanks for "introducing " yourself. I feel like I know you... and I'm SO glad I do!
ReplyDeleteOh my friend, long lost. I loved all the speeches. I remember your parents and their loving home. I remember your tribulations in high school. We shared so much, though I never heard the "git fiddle." You write wonderfully and I'll bet you speak just as well. There are tears running down my face. Bravo! -LHB-
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