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From: Russ Hicks
Date: 10/18/02
Time: 8:37:10 PM
Remote Name: 12.212.230.104
Hello Cy,
You ask a tough question. It took me forever to accomplish what is essentially a paradigm shift in how we view ourselves. There is truth in the statement that happiness is not so much about what happens TO us in life but how we REACT to it. Once I realized that truth (after joining the NSA and Toastmasters and immersing myself in those activities), my thinking slowly began to change to the point where I recognized my stuttering as simply a fairly unique characteristic in myself, and one that I could begin to mange to my own advantage. It was NOT an overnight revelation! But the more positive energy I put into it, the more positive energy I got out of it. It has really been an amazing journey.
In that particular story about stuttering being my message, I had given that speech many times and stuttered significantly in all of them. And they were successful speeches - if I do say so myself. People could HEAR me stutter and could understand the truth when I said "If I can do it, so can you." Then that one time where I did NOT stutter due to that crazy "lucky fluency", I was no different from an ordinary schmuck who didn't stutter - and my message was totally lost. I HAD to stutter for my message to be effective. Amazing, no?
Does that answer your question?
If you are not already a member of the NSA, PLEASE join us! I hope it will change your life as it has mine.
Wishing you the very best,
Russ
RussHicks@mail.com