Speaking on a panel is fun. Speaking alone...that's threatening.
Cynthia leaves her library books laying around. It gets her in trouble now and then when they’re overdue, but her bad habit makes for impromptu reading. Chris and I went out for coffee and picked out this quote from one of the books laying in the car:
“There is no greater threat in life than that we will be deserted, left all alone.” (Bruno Bettelheim, The Uses of Enchantment)
At the time I was preparing for a speech the next day, and I was nervous. I would rather stay home and pour love into my house, but God opened an opportunity to help others put Love in the House. It was a good speech and I was excited about giving it, but that didn’t get rid of the butterflies. I told Chris, “I don’t agree with this. I think public speaking is the greatest threat!”
Chris didn’t immediately agree. He thought about it for a little bit, then returned: “Perhaps little is more lonely than being on stage.”
“Oooo,” I said. “Deep thought.”
I spoke on a panel over lunch, and I was totally comfortable with that. It was being front-and-center that I wasn’t excited about. It would be just me. And to make matters worse, I’d have a room of moms looking at just me. That is threatening.
Chris continued. “The way to overcome the threat of loneliness is to engage your audience. Have them in mind, be one with them, converse with them. Then you’ll overcome your alienation and your fear.”
Chris is a speech coach, you know. I ended up having a great time with the ladies and I shared with my friends ways they could bring more love in their house.
What do you think of that quote? I being left alone the greatest fear?
About Wendy Jeub