Last December I put on my high heels and red lipstick to go to a fancy holiday party at a beautiful modern home in Penngrove, CA.
However, this wasn't just any normal holiday party. This was a Toastmasters holiday party, a public speaking group I have been a part of for the last year. Three people were prepared to give a speech that night, and one of them was me.
After much practicing in the back field of my home, I felt ready. I was excited. As I put on my jewelry and curled my hair, I reflected back on how much I had grown in just one year.
I remembered standing terrified looking out at the audience at a podium in front of thirty or forty people the first time I stood up to speak in front of this group. Despite the fear of that first moment, I knew I was ready to grow, ready to face the fear, and over the last year, I have.
Public speaking has become more and more familiar, and through putting myself on center stage, I have learned so much about myself and the craft of captivating an audience.
Over the last year, I realized there was a girl inside of me, ready to be SEEN, to be LOUD, ready to STAND UP and share her voice.
I was encouraged every step of the way by this amazing group of people of all ages and from all walks of life. I delivered my speech, "The Gifts of Giving" at the Holiday party that nightand was on a total high.
Then just a few weeks ago, I was looking at the voice memos on my phone and discovered my boyfriend Michael had recorded the whole thing!
At first I felt shy about sharing it, but realized this magical story of giving and receiving could be inspiring for you to break free from scarcity and believe in the beauty, magic, and abundance all around you. So here I am sharing it with you...
The speech is only 8 minutes long, so I hope you take some time to listen above. You'll also learn how I ended up with a magical cat on my doorstep...
Warmly, Meredith
Photo by In Her Image Photography
