Public Speaking Tips

Two weeks ago I was trying to get ready to go speak to a large group of young women and their parents. I was getting nervous. I had about 14 outfits strewn across my bed and I wasn't feeling totally confident about my topic. Loumy was in my room observing me put on my makeup. I hadn't said that I was nervous and I was still maintaining calm and patience (which is not always the case when I am trying to prepare for a public speaking event). Suddenly my just-five-year-old-extremely perceptive-son said to me, "Mom, I've got some good tips for you if you're nervous and sweaty."

He said it so confidently and in a more mature voice than I've ever heard. I stopped what I was doing and thought, "This is going to be good." So, I sat down on the bed and grabbed the outline of my talk that I was getting ready to give and turned it over to the blank side.

"Do you mind if I write them down?" I asked.

"Sure," he said. "Are you ready?"

Pen in hand, I nodded.

Loumy then proceeded to give me some awesome advice.

"Number one: if you are sweaty, put some water on a thing around your neck. (he waited patiently as I wrote and then proceeded) Number two: You should practice what you're going to say. Number three: if you're nervous, just calm down! Number...is this number three? ("four" I tell him) Number four: if you have a daughter or a son even if they're not with you, you should talk about them, like what they love and stuff."

He again waited thoughtfully until I finished. I looked up at him and he shrugged, "That's all I got. Are those good tips?"

They were fantastic tips. And the best part of him giving me the speaking tips is that it totally put everything back into perspective for me. I suddenly didn't really care about what I wore and I felt calm knowing that no matter how things turned out during my speech, I would be coming home to this little person who loves me unconditionally.I thank God everyday that we found each other, Loumy!