"My Fear of Public Speaking" by Josh Abney

Standing in front of a room filled to the brim with people of all ages, I am utterly without mind. My fingers are numb with fear, and my stomach is turning every which way. I take a deep breath, and try to release all of my bottled up nerves, but no luck. I am more nervous than ever. The hours and hours of rigorous practicing all come down to this final ten-minute interval. This is …

…routine. We are virtually flawless in every aspect of the game. That is just what performing has become to me, a game. It is so much fun, and for nine minutes and twenty-three seconds we are on top of the world. My fear that I have developed has now caused me to thrive victoriously. I hate it and love it at the same time. Fear pumps the blood through my veins, and speech circulates it.