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LAST week I was asked by the False Bay College to present a motivational talk to the matric learners at their valedictory. When I was first asked, my immediate response was "no". After a bit of convincing and me playing with the idea in my head, I agreed.

Although I am someone who has a lot to say, I am not a public speaker. I have done it on a couple of occasions, but it was not something I was very comfortable with. However, I agreed. That was when the challenge started.

Not because I had to speak in front of these learners, their parents and educators, but rather that I needed to come up with something of substance and value to share with them ? no pressure!

I eventually stopped thinking about it, sat down at my desk and started writing. The basic idea of my "talk" was about facing one's fears and taking up whatever challenge is presented. Well, that was basically what I would be doing ? facing one of my biggest fears: Public speaking.

This is what I said:

"I was contemplating what my message would be to all of you this morning and I was stumped. I could talk about drugs and gangstersim, all of which you have heard and read about before. Then I took a trip down memory lane to when I was about your age and the type of battles that I was dealing with.

"Then I realised that somehow my battles are still the same. I always question whether or not I have found my purpose in life.

"In a way I am satisfied, but always feel that I can contribute a bit more. But what is this purpose that I am talking about?

"Well, I suppose it is our reason for existence. I do not believe that any of us were placed on this earth for the simple reason of just breathing the oxygen which is provided. There needs to be more to life than just that.

"However, I do not believe that we are all going to make the history books for some great invention, but our lives need to have an impact on other people's lives. An impact of purpose.

"It is so easy for us to just live day-to-day. Get up in the morning, get ready for work, off to work we go, come home, cook, eat and sleep. That is usually how our existence plays out. But why do we settle for that? Why do so many of us not aspire to be more?

"As a child I was always very shy, but an incident that occurred when I was in pre-school made me realise that missed opportunities never come back. The only things you take away from missed opportunities are regrets; something I do not believe in. Well, that day, I was probably four or five years old, I made a promise to myself that I would never let anything hold me back in life, especially not fear.

"From that day on I grabbed every opportunity that came my way. Regardless of how scared or nervous I was I forced myself to do it, especially if I knew that it would benefit my life. I believe that fear is our biggest challenge, it prevents us from being the best that we can be. It is not so much the fear of completing the task or taking up the challenge, but rather failing at the task or challenge that holds us back.

"Never be afraid to take chances and make mistakes. I believe that by making those mistakes we learn. However, I do not believe in repeating the same mistakes over and over again..."

So, standing up in front of those people was an opportunity for my growth. Whether or not what I had to say had any impact on them at all, I faced one of my fears and that I am proud of.

Ralph Waldo says, "He who is not every day conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.

"Fear is a habit. So is self-pity, defeat, anxiety, despair, hopelessness and resignation. You can eliminate all of these negative habits with two simple resolves: I can! And I will!"

The biggest thief in life, I believe, is fear. It steals opportunities that more often than not can never be regained.

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