I have a dream of speaking chiropractic in front of thousands of people, in multiple languages, around the world. It’s an awesome dream, right? Well here’s the problem. Speaking in front of a group larger than five scares me more than anything you could imagine. It is truly baffling how I can eagerly want to get up and speak, but when I do I became a product of shakes, tears, and unfinished sentences. It’s not a pretty sight.

So, I attended my first public speaking seminar, and as excited as I could be, I volunteered to go first on giving my speech. I stood up in front of a group of twenty people and I cried, I shook, and I cried some more.

As I watched each person after me, I realized my speech was not a speech at all. Instead what the class endured was a 23 year-old-girl babbling some words, crying some tears, but facing her fear for the very first time. I sat there slightly disappointed but extremely inspired as I watched each person perform and receive coaching. I kept finding myself feeling embarrassed about how my performance had played out. I was itching to start over, and I had thoughts of disapproval coursing through my head. Why didn’t I write mine like that? Why did I go first? What was I thinking? I ran out of time. I need to re-do it all. Why do I cry so much? Stop! Breathe.

Be happy to begin from where you are,

Because a step is a step no matter how far.

See, I had forgotten the reason I came to the seminar in the first place. I didn’t show up so I could be the best in the group, and blow everyone away with my poise or my skill. I signed up to grow and to progress towards my dream. I had to remind myself that for me, standing up in front of a group of twenty people regardless of what came out of my mouth or out of my eyes, was my first step to success. Sometimes, we want to be experts overnight, and become envious of those we see already in the spotlight performing, but we forget to honor the journey that got them to where they are. You have to work for what you want and what you believe in. You have to make an effort because with every step forward you are closer than you were just moments before. Whether your first step is standing in front of 100 people, 20 people, or simply showing up to observe, it is okay. Be proud of where you are. You made a move forward and that’s more than most people do. Now if you keep pushing on, one day you will be standing in your own success. You will have the ability to inspire others as they watch you in the spotlight, and you share with them where you were when you took your first step. So, you remind them…

Be happy to begin from where you are,

Because a step is a step no matter how far.