I was always taught to give my best but on that hot, sunny day of 2006, I never imagined that giving my best would be a blessing not for me…but to others.
It was already my third speaking engagement for that day. Earlier in the morning, I already spoke to a group of community volunteers who had selflessly been working to help people who are sick in their village. This time, I will be talking in front of public high school students in one of the fifth class municipalities of Bohol – one of the poorest municipalities in the province.
Celebrating international health days has always been the busiest time of the year for me in the past since I was always invited to speak in different provinces where we have a health project. During that time in Bohol, I remembered being tired from travelling to one municipality to another (and from travelling to different provinces within one week!). Adding to my exhaustion was the intense heat while travelling on the road since it was after lunch. Tired and sweating, my energy level started to drop. And upon nearing the venue, lo and behold! The event was in an open field surrounded by mountains! Talk about total heat exposure!
But despite the heat, I was surprised that a crowd of cheerful students was patiently waiting for us, welcoming us to start the event in their school.
Seeing the smiling faces was enough to bring back my energy! So I quickly reviewed the outline of my speech. I have prepared for these days ago! I started prepping myself physically and mentally while waiting to be called on stage. Despite the heat and exhaustion, when my name was called onstage, I spoke to the crowd with enthusiasm! The crowd was responsive and my jokes were best sellers! Seeing the response of the crowd, I know I did my best.
It was a great day! Who would not be happy with such responsive and happy audience? When I thought that would already made my day, I was wrong.
Once the students left the open field and while we were fixing our props and materials, three students came to me with their notebooks open. Guess what? They were asking for my autograph! I was like “Why are they asking for my autograph? Hindi naman ako Kapuso or Kapamilya star? (when I am not a TV celebrity?)”
Then one of them said, “Ate, ang galing n’yo po magsalita! Paglaki ko, gusto ko po maging katulad nyo pag nagsasalita sa stage.” (You're such a great speaker! When I grow up, I want to be like you when I speak on stage).
Wow. I never knew that giving my best would make someone ask for my autograph.
Wow. I never knew that giving my best could inspire someone.
Wow.
It was already my third speaking engagement for that day. Earlier in the morning, I already spoke to a group of community volunteers who had selflessly been working to help people who are sick in their village. This time, I will be talking in front of public high school students in one of the fifth class municipalities of Bohol – one of the poorest municipalities in the province.
Celebrating international health days has always been the busiest time of the year for me in the past since I was always invited to speak in different provinces where we have a health project. During that time in Bohol, I remembered being tired from travelling to one municipality to another (and from travelling to different provinces within one week!). Adding to my exhaustion was the intense heat while travelling on the road since it was after lunch. Tired and sweating, my energy level started to drop. And upon nearing the venue, lo and behold! The event was in an open field surrounded by mountains! Talk about total heat exposure!
But despite the heat, I was surprised that a crowd of cheerful students was patiently waiting for us, welcoming us to start the event in their school.
Seeing the smiling faces was enough to bring back my energy! So I quickly reviewed the outline of my speech. I have prepared for these days ago! I started prepping myself physically and mentally while waiting to be called on stage. Despite the heat and exhaustion, when my name was called onstage, I spoke to the crowd with enthusiasm! The crowd was responsive and my jokes were best sellers! Seeing the response of the crowd, I know I did my best.
It was a great day! Who would not be happy with such responsive and happy audience? When I thought that would already made my day, I was wrong.
Once the students left the open field and while we were fixing our props and materials, three students came to me with their notebooks open. Guess what? They were asking for my autograph! I was like “Why are they asking for my autograph? Hindi naman ako Kapuso or Kapamilya star? (when I am not a TV celebrity?)”
Then one of them said, “Ate, ang galing n’yo po magsalita! Paglaki ko, gusto ko po maging katulad nyo pag nagsasalita sa stage.” (You're such a great speaker! When I grow up, I want to be like you when I speak on stage).
Wow. I never knew that giving my best would make someone ask for my autograph.
Wow. I never knew that giving my best could inspire someone.
Wow.
With the students who inspired me
So I scribbled a message of hope in their notebook – to chase their dreams and not to give up. And I ended up asking them if I could take a picture with them – I wanted to capture such moment with these young people who inspired me to consistently do my best.
I never forgot that experience. It pushed me to always prepare and to give my best when doing public speaking regardless who the audience will be, the number of people I will face or where it will be held -- whether in a small village without electricity or in a huge, grand auditorium.
On that hot, sunny day, it dawned on me, I may not have changed the world by speaking on stage but I changed the life of one person, giving him hope, by giving my best in public speaking.
So always give your best when speaking. You’ll never know how many lives can be changed through the words you have spoken with passion. Give your best and become a blessing.
I never forgot that experience. It pushed me to always prepare and to give my best when doing public speaking regardless who the audience will be, the number of people I will face or where it will be held -- whether in a small village without electricity or in a huge, grand auditorium.
On that hot, sunny day, it dawned on me, I may not have changed the world by speaking on stage but I changed the life of one person, giving him hope, by giving my best in public speaking.
So always give your best when speaking. You’ll never know how many lives can be changed through the words you have spoken with passion. Give your best and become a blessing.
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