Cat got your tongue?

Cat got your tongue?

As a public speaker, I depend on my mental health, my physique and specially my voice. Engaging in a daily routine is a must. Without it, I won’t be able to sustain what I do. It takes a good night sleep, a fitness program, a good diet and plenty of good ol’ H2O. What else is there to consider?

 I took certain things for granted, not even thinking twice about standing, maintaining my energy and delivering a message. At 5O years of age, I got a wire installed to hold my bottom front teeth together so that I could shine when I smiled. There was a short period of adjusting to having something in my mouth that didn’t belong.

 The speaking resumed. I got into position and began with my introduction.

“Good morning! I’m Daniel Vincent, Have you ever b_ _ _”

 Chaos filled my entire body. It’s one thing to loose your train of thought, slip and catch yourself or even stumble. But, what happens when your tongue gets caught in your brace and 100s are watching you as you struggle?  I couldn’t even explain to my audience what was going on. They looked at me with strange facial expressions. I was in a panic. I would move my tongue to the right, to the left, up and down. Nothing would work. I looked absolutely ridiculous. What made the matter even worse was that nobody understood what was happening. The fight was on-  Tongue vs. Wire. Who was going to win.

‘Now what do I do?’ I thought. I was in the fight of my speech. ‘Do I keep on looking silly, hoping that it’s going to be OK, do I put my fingers in my mouth and yank on the tongue hoping for the best or do I just walk away leaving everyone hanging?’ This had never happened to me or to anyone I knew.

 While those silly grimaces where happening, the tongue finally freed up. The weird expressions continued and I was then able to explain why I had become so chaotic.

Expect the unexpected!