two chances

Last week I got to spend time with an extraordinary group of people. They had a whole week packed with workshops and interesting talks. By luck I got the chance to participate in two tasks. One of them was to write down ones ideal of the most resilient human being. Even though I had something in mind, I backed down. I thought what I want to say isn't important, others don't care and I also don't want to make this task somehow about myself. This workshop and task wasn't meant for me. Its for everyone else...But that was a lie. The truth is I was afraid. Afraid to speak up and say what I really think.

The other task was an elevator pitch. Every researcher should pitch their current research in a very short time span. I almost backed down at this one too, but due to an amazing colleague and five minutes by myself I didn't. And within the next 40 minutes I planned a whole pitch/speech in my mind. I organized it with "the rule of three", thought about the way to build tension and how to use my voice and body accordingly. Its was one of the greatest 40 minutes within that week for me. And when the time came I felt amazing. Even more than that. I felt alive!