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Energetic. Bubbly. Joyful.
These are all words people have used recently to describe me.
One person even said, “I wonder if you ever have a bad day.”
Another said she admires me because I am “so together.”
While these comments are sometimes flattering, sometimes that make me wonder if I’m being fake.
Yesterday was my first day back in the classroom for the 2016-2017 school year. Every August I kick off the year by having my students write and share a six-word memoir.
Once asked to write a full story in six words, legend has it that novelist Ernest Hemingway responded: “For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.
When I was a young girl I was terribly shy. Though I could be relatively outgoing when around close family members and friends, just the thought of speaking in front of people I didn’t know intimidated me.
Fast forward to adulthood: Today I am a teacher and a freelance journalist and someone who’s often paid to speak to large audiences on topics ranging from blogging and business to writing and women’s empowerment.
So how do you overcome a fear of speaking in public? By speaking in public!
You can’t talk yourself out of a fear. You have to feel the fear and do it anyway, again and again, and eventually the fear will melt away.
Of course I’ve been over the moon about the medals on medals female athletes have been winning at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, but I’m especially giddy for all the #blackgirlmagic that went down Thursday night. Simone Biles, who is already being proclaimed as the greatest gymnast ever, won the gold medal in all-around gymnastics and Simone Manuel made history by becoming the first African-American woman to win a gold medal in an individual swimming event for the United States.
If you’re looking for things to do in Birmingham this week, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered.
Food bloggers, it’s time! Birmingham Restaurant Week kicks off tomorrow. This 10-day event gives Birmingham residents and tourists the chance to get a taste of the Magic City food scene and cuisine. From Aug. 12 – 21 participating restaurants will offer a variety of food and drink specials, including two and and/or three course prix-fixe lunch and/or dinner menus for $5, $10, $15, $20 or $30 per-person. For more details and a list of participating restaurants visit bhamrestaurantweek.com.