From Silence to Standing Ovation

“Are you just going to stand there without saying anything?”

That was what someone in the crowd blurted out when I stood on the stage, frozen for over three minutes, trying so hard to remember the opening lines of my speech. Sadly, I couldn’t. Embarrassed was an understatement. I can’t even describe how I felt.

The hall suddenly felt cold — so cold that my body started shaking. At that moment, I wished I had the superpower to disappear. Every student laughed — except my best friend and my tutors. Maybe I wasn’t prepared enough. Or maybe the sight of the crowd scared the words right out of my mouth.

I had no choice but to step down — embarrassed, regretful, and wishing I never got on that stage in the first place. Of course, I cried an entire ocean. 

It was our end-of-the-year party back in high school, and from that day on, it felt like every student — except my best friend — became my enemy. Hours passed. Days passed. But I couldn’t get what happened out of my head. It kept replaying in my mind every time I was alone.

On second thought, face your fears 

Seven months later, I was given another chance to speak. And this time, I was ready. Ready to show them what I could really do. But getting there wasn’t easy. It came with a lot of practice and change to a “Can Do” mindset. I spent weeks watching my teachers closely — how they spoke, their body language, their pauses, their tone. I took it so seriously. I studied them like you’d think I was contesting for a national prize, or the president was going to be in the audience.

Still, I failed. A lot while I was practicing. I would skip lines, forget my words, and even go completely blank during practice. But I never gave up. I never did. 

If someone once said “Winners never quit, and quitters never win,” well, I wanted to win. I wanted to earn back my respect. I wanted to silence every mocking laugh. So I could not quit. 

Yes, first impressions matter — but second impressions? They can change everything.

I would call my parents, siblings, and even the workers at home to sit and watch me practice. They gave me honest feedback, and I took every correction seriously.

Slowly, bit by bit, things began to change. I stopped skipping my lines. I didn’t go blank anymore. And the biggest change: my mindset. Before, I had a fixed mindset. I was too focused on proving myself to others instead of becoming better for myself. I wanted validation more than real growth. 

But then, everything shifted.  

I began to focus on myself,  becoming the best version of myself. I became more comfortable in my own skin. Yes, I started loving myself and wanting better for myself. And that’s when the real change started. My speeches flowed naturally. I now spoke with confidence. 

My parents and siblings clapped — genuinely. They told me where I could improve. I listened and applied their feedback.

Then another opportunity came. It was our end-of-the-year party again. But this time, nobody was selected, we were asked to volunteer to speak, and anyone who did would be given a chance to speak…  I didn’t even hesitate. I raised my hand.  And I was lucky enough to get a chance. 

As the day approached, I studied, prayed, and practiced. A lot, I mean, a lot. I stumbled many times.  I was also tempted to step down. Fear still crept in me.

“Are you sure you can do this, huh?” 

“Should I fake being sick?”

 “Should I run away on that day?” 

“What if I mess up again?” 

But deep inside, I kept hearing this quiet voice: “You can do it.” That little voice pushed me to keep going. I heard everything but listened only to “You can do it.”

Ditched my fears forever

Finally, the day came.  I mounted the stage. My heart raced the moment I saw the crowd. I was afraid and my hands began to shake — that old fear.  This time, I didn’t let it stop me.

I took a deep breath, looked around, and began. I started with:
“Good morning ladies and gentlemen…”

And I kept going, line after line, word after word, until the very last word. I didn’t skip a single line. I spoke not perfectly, but confidently. That made all the difference. I owned that stage, the stage was mine. My speech ends and…

The auditorium was echoing with claps.  It was loud; everybody was clapping. My overjoyed eyes saw some of my tutors standing while clapping. I saw my best friend crying. She was proud of me.

I got off the stage with teary eyes. This time it was tears of joy and pride. “Did I just do that?” I kept asking myself over and over again.  My tutors and friends came over to me, appreciating me for my performance. One of them, who had laughed at my first speech, came over and said, “I never thought you could pull that off. Bravo.” I replied with a smile, “This is just the beginning.” 

That night I was overjoyed, I didn’t remember to eat dinner. I just sat replaying the video on my phone, again, and again, and again. 

That was the day, it dawned on me —

My voice matters.

And do you know the sweetest part? Your voice matters too. 

Yes — You! 

 It exists.

 Find it!