3 Reasons Why I Am So Composed When Speaking

Since the publication of Sidonia’s Thread, I have been speaking before many diverse audiences about my story. I am always fascinated by the audience questions after my illustrated talk which often inspire me to improve and expand my presentation for future audiences.

One of the most popular questions is: “How can you be so composed when speaking about what is, undoubtedly, such an emotional topic to you… your life with your Holocaust survivor single parent, Sidonia?” So here are three reasons why I am so composed when speaking:

Just as when writing Sidonia’s Thread, sometimes my emotions get the best of me. I often had to stop writing to gather my thoughts and to release my pent up feelings as I recollected my lonely life with my mother growing up in Springfield, Massachusetts. But once the story was finished, my task was to convey the story to the world—through my book and my in-person presentations. When I look out at the faces in my audiences, whether at a library, synagogue, church, community center, or other organization, I gain strength from the men and women who identify with themes of the story and gain inspiration from it—single parents, creative artists, immigrants or descendents of immigrants, Holocaust survivors or other trauma survivors and their families, and many who kept secrets with members of their own family or close friends.
I am passionate about telling the story of the strong, resilient, courageous person who was my mother, Sidonia. Passion allows me to keep focused on my messages: Believe in yourself even when you think you are all alone in the world and allow others to enter your heart.
My eyes are always on the prize. The prize is not financial gain or fame, but reaching you, to transfer my strength to you, to touch you with a post-Holocaust story that is different from most others you have read and heard about. I want to inspire you to offer whatever talent you have to a world that despite your doubts, will rise up to embrace you.

I have a formidable task before me. I have to keep my composure to accomplish it.