"It's what makes us human beings". Twenty years ago as I read 'The Meaning of Anxiety' I learned of my maternal grandfathers death. On the journey home to central New York, I felt a nagging pull to do and say something at the funeral. At the time, public speaking was a source of immeasurable fear and anxiety - I would drench in sweat, stumble on words, and omit the majority of what was intended to convey - despite being told that I had interesting thoughts. I decided I would test May's thesis by writing a eulogy and speak what came to me about my papa, a man of very few words himself. My speech was received with the love and humor I intended. Afterwards, his daughter, my mother, told me how speaking publicly was papa's greatest fear, how he had a stammer as a child resulting in ridicule and shame. I felt a new awareness of his sense of self and how that played a part his sparing, heartfelt messages.
A lovely comment, Josh. I remember well my own journey through anxiety in the public speaking arena and needing to travel beyond family limitations and themes in this regard. My dad always stuttered when he became angry, something he was unable to express. Rollo, who talked about anger often, was a great exemplar in this regard.
"It's what makes us human beings". Twenty years ago as I read 'The Meaning of Anxiety' I learned of my maternal grandfathers death. On the journey home to central New York, I felt a nagging pull to do and say something at the funeral. At the time, public speaking was a source of immeasurable fear and anxiety - I would drench in sweat, stumble on words, and omit the majority of what was intended to convey - despite being told that I had interesting thoughts. I decided I would test May's thesis by writing a eulogy and speak what came to me about my papa, a man of very few words himself. My speech was received with the love and humor I intended. Afterwards, his daughter, my mother, told me how speaking publicly was papa's greatest fear, how he had a stammer as a child resulting in ridicule and shame. I felt a new awareness of his sense of self and how that played a part his sparing, heartfelt messages.
A lovely comment, Josh. I remember well my own journey through anxiety in the public speaking arena and needing to travel beyond family limitations and themes in this regard. My dad always stuttered when he became angry, something he was unable to express. Rollo, who talked about anger often, was a great exemplar in this regard.