Francis Saw Something in Me

During an in-camp training exercise as a reservist, my platoon commander suddenly ordered me to brief the men.

The moment I opened my mouth, the soldiers laughed.

I had a high-pitched voice and felt deeply embarrassed.

At that moment, I wished the earth would open up and swallow me.

A colleague later advised me to join a Toastmasters club.

One day, a senior Toastmaster named Francis Ee told me that he believed I would one day speak confidently in front of an audience.

He believed in me more than I believed in myself.

Eventually, I became a club president who gave the opening speech at every meeting.

I earned the Gold level in Toastmasters, became a school teacher, and later a trainer.

What I feared most became what excited me most.

Sometimes all it takes is one person who sees potential in us before we can see it ourselves.