One of the reasons I became a writer is because I feel I can express myself in writing. That may sound like brazenself-confidence, but the truth is, I find it difficult to express myself in any other way. I'm shy and I find it hard to speak in front of people. That's why I prefer the partialseclusion of writing.
Ironically, now I've published a couple of books and I'm trying my hand at being a full-time writer, I've been invited to give lectures and presentations — precisely what I was trying to avoid in the first place.
But finally (basically because I'd exhausted every other option) I sat down and tried to think up a theme for my presentation. I flicked through some comments students had sent me after a lecture I did before called: "The importance of recognizing the things you enjoy doing and actually doing them."
In these comments, the students confessed how scared they are to carry out their future plans because they don't want to let down their family, their friends, their teachers or themselves. Or because they don't want to be made fun of by their classmates by pursuing their dreams too enthusiastically.
I empathize. I am the Ultimate Chicken. Every step I take is preceded by a period when I'm nearly paralytic with fear, especially when it involves something that I care about, like writing. Sometimes, I terrify myself into thinking that I don't want what I really want. For example, I can persuade myself that I never should have published anything and that writing really isn't for me.
After reading all those comments, I decided to make the theme of my next lecture: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Yes, it's terrifying to actually do what you really want to do, putting yourself out there in that vulnerable, exposed place. It's the same for everyone. But at the same time, if you don't overcome your fear and have a go, you'll never even have a chance of realizing your dreams. By doing nothing, all you'll end up achieving is regret later in life.
So I'd like to tell those students and ST readers that it's OK to make mistakes. Just put aside the fear of failure and try to do whatever you want to do, and then I'm sure you'll get the kind of experience that you'll cherish for the rest of your life.
Q1 One of the reasons Kana became a writer is:
A1) Because she loved to write ever since she was a kid.
A2) Because she wanted to be invited to give lectures.
A3) Because she feels she can express herself better than by talking.
正解： A3) Because she feels she can express herself better than by talking.
Q2 Why did Kana start cleaning the house and re-ordering books before her lecture?
A1) To keep her mind off the lecture.
A2) To concentrate on preparing for her lecture.
A3) To make sure the house would be clean while she is away.
●英字新聞社ジャパンタイムズによる英語学習サイト。英語のニュース、よみもの、リスニングなどのコンテンツを無料で提供。無料見本紙はこちら
