I was invited to give a talk on the Meralco Lightspeed Triathlon Club for the PasiCLUBan PaTALK na PATALK sessions. The PasiCLUBan is part of the Meralco Cool-tural festival that celebrates the talents and skills and promotes the welfare of the employees. The Cool-tural festival includes different contests and events for the employees: sports exhibition, free concert and cooking, cosplay and speech contests. Geared at encouraging work-life balance and employee satisfaction, the PasiCLUBan allows the different Meralco clubs to recruit new members, allowing them to sign up in booths that were set up at the Meralco Fitness Centre badminton court. Each club is given 30 minutes within the whole day event to present a speaker to recruit members.
Since this is my first time to do an actual talk, I was quite scared but rather excited because I know I'll be talking about something that I love: triathlon. I had a hard time doing my piece because there's so much to say; finally, I was able to prepare a speech about how triathlon helped me become a better person physically, emotionally and spiritually. Here are my three realizations about the event.
1. IT'S EASIER TO SPEAK WHEN I SAY IT FROM THE HEART
Prior the event, I already know what I wanted to say but I can't seem to decide how I'm going to say it. I don't know who my audience will be and I am quite conscious if the participants will listen. I'm scared of blanking out and stopping at the middle of my speech. During the speech, I'm suddenly not afraid anymore. I suddenly had this overwhelming confidence to speak and share about my experiences as a beginner triathlete. I want more people to hear about it hoping it will somehow give them the confidence to try the sport. I believe that the fact that I am speaking from the heart, that I genuinely, authentically want more people to be healthier and love themselves more through a changed lifestyle, helped so much in speaking sincerely. I know it's not the best of speeches and that I could have done better; nevertheless, I enjoyed every moment of it. I felt vindicated, knowing that I am somehow meant to do this.
2. MY FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS THERE TO SUPPORT ME.
Another thing that contributed to my confidence was my friends who were there to listen to my story. They listened to my cheesy account of how I fell in love with triathlon and cheered for me, much like how they cheered for me whenever we are on a race. I draw strength from them knowing that they are one of the reasons why I love triathlon so much. I hope that everyone gets to meet friends who share the same passion as they do because it is a great source of love.
3. PRAYER CAN GO A LONG WAY.
I cannot imagine how I would have gone through the experience without the help of the Lord. Minutes before the talk, I asked for strength by praying my favourite prayer, the prayer for generosity. It is overwhelmingly calming knowing that I am filled with the Lord's grace. Everything I am and everything I have: my words, my confidence and my experiences on triathlon that forever changed my life, all came from Him who made all things possible for me. What greater blessing than to be given the chance to share what I have to others. :)