"Do one thing everyday that scares you" reads one of the quotes inscribed on the side of a Lululemon bag.
The phrase, originally spoken by Eleanor Roosevelt, inspires everything from images of people jumping off cliffs, approaching their crush, to killing a spider. We know this statement is supposed to be motivational and potentially inspiring, but the question we all have to answer is: Why?
If you're tempted to reply with "because it will make me a better person," I challenge you to analyze that vague answer, and see whether you actually believe it or not.
See, I joined UBC's Debate Society a couple months ago. I figured I could brush up on my public speaking skills and develop the art of persuasion. I attended the Open House Round, and marveled at the eloquence and knowledge of the speakers.
The personalities obviously varied, but the confident conviction behind their words was a quality they each possessed. They made the whole act look so easy! Within the hour, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of.
It didn't take long to figure out that watching debate and actually participating in debate are two completely different things. The first exists at a comfortable distance from the action.
The actual feat of debating... personally, I'd say is the very definition of fear.
To stand before a mob of people that is judging you and the content of your sentences is terrifying. There, in the spotlight, it is common to forget exactly how the English language works, and subconsciously wave one's arms up and down like a frantic goose.
Sometimes, if you try hard enough, you can disguise the panic and desperation in your voice to resemble passionate urgency.
The suspense is the worst part. If you're one of the last speakers, you have to keep the butterflies in your stomach company for far longer than you'd like.
I've been debating for two months now. It's hard to say whether I'm improving at all - the fear is definitely still there. I've been tempted to quit more than once, but something has always brought me back.
Yes, the fear nearly kills me sometimes, but there's something addictive about getting engaged. If, for no other reason, I feel like debate is giving me a reason to consider the real world, beyond my personal bubble.
It inspires the desire to form opinions, and predict consequences. It's slowly teaching the importance of not only holding information, but knowing how to use it and mould it to my benefit.
"Do one thing everyday that scares you." Why? Because it teaches you to brave life out, leave the safety of the sidelines and step into the fray.
Anna Toth is a J.N. Burnett graduate and is currently in her first year at UBC.
