Life is either a daring adventure or nothing

6 years ago, in my first year of NUS studies, I had to do a 5 minutes presentation in front of my whole class of 25 classmates. An hour before the presentation as I was doing some final touch up on my powerpoint slides, I was breaking out in cold sweat and my knees were trembling. I even stutter when I talked with my classmates! The truth of the matter was that I was fearful. I was afriad of standing up front to speak. I was afraid how my tutors and classmates would react, I was afraid that they would ask me difficult questions which I couldn't answer, I was afraid that I would say the wrong things and "malu" myself, I was afraid that I would not do as well as the rest of my peers.... Basically, I was afraid of EVERYTHING!

Thankfully everything went well for that 5 minutes presentation (which seemed like eternity!), and I merely left the classroom with a sweat drenched shirt!

2 weeks ago, I had the privilege and honor of co-leading a 5 hours training workshop for a group of 400 students in the NTU lecture hall! It was an enrichment workshop for these students whom are from China, sharing with them about self awareness and how to accept and adapt to the people around. What was so challenging about this workshop? Well, this was the first time in my life speaking to 400 people for 5 hours! And not to mention that this entire workshop was conducted in Mandarin!

What was it that changed me.... From "scare-dy cat" to one whom dares to speak to a large crowd? It wasn't any good techniques or strategies, but the fact was that I was WILLING to step out and face my fears. I grab hold of every available oppotunity to speak, either to my professors, in a group meeting or to the group of youths that I mentor... I made use of every chance to overcoming my fear of public speaking. There were times I did well, and there were times where I stumbled... But I didn't give up. Good or bad, I pressed on and kept trying. I wasn't going to be called a "scare-dy cat" for the rest of my life!

What are some fearful things in life that you dread to face? Do not be crippled by fear. Confronting your fears is the greatest weapon to overcoming your fears. Failure is not when we are being defeated, but when when we give up and refuse to fight again!