Surviving Public Speaking

Well, it went OK. The sermon, or message, was delivered Sunday, August 18th. Short and to the point. I wrote two sermons of similar cast. Spoke many more in my mind! Constantly word smithed phrases that I later used in asides to the main document when delivered. It lasted about 10 minutes. A lifetime!

There were several friends who said it would go well, but they did not know what I knew. It is far easier to write than to speak a formal message. Writing provides the time and ample opportunities to rephrase, correct vocabulary and grammar endlessly.

In writing a message the timing and voice are automatic for the writer. The reader supplies their own timing and voice. In giving a prepared talk, all of that has to be crafted as well. Being intentional is not as off the cuff as people may realize. No, there is a sense of advanced theater to the spoken word.

Unless, that is, the presentation is totally adlibbed. Those are driven by passions of content. It is possible to drum up those passions while giving a prepared speech, I suppose, but I have no experience with that.

It is natural that the speaker is hard on him or herself. I know what I want to say. I know how I want my message to be received. Can I make that happen in the words I speak and the manner in which I do so? This is all very difficult to do with intention.

The message of course is king. Focusing on that is the primary function. Believing in the message is the second reality that is required. Believing it will make the delivery effective. Doing so in real time is what needs to happen. This is not always possible. It simply isn’t.

And thus, public speaking is an art that most people do not have. I don’t do enough of it to know if I have that magical quality. I doubt it. Most of us do. And that is the reason we don’t do much public speaking. Sort of a catch 22, huh?

I doubt I will have the opportunity to sermonize again. Age, you know. But even if I did, I don’t think I would do it. The fright of preparation is that draining. It takes the fun out of it whatever fun there might be!

August 21, 2024

 

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