A Single Memory
It happened on a regular day, the kind you don’t expect to remember.
I was sitting in class, half listening, half counting the minutes until the bell rang. The teacher asked a question, and for a moment, no one answered. I knew the answer. I also knew how much I hated speaking up.
My heart started racing over something that shouldn’t have mattered. I remember thinking how silly it was to be scared of raising my hand. But fear doesn’t care if it’s reasonable.
My hand went up anyway. My voice shook when I spoke, and I was sure everyone noticed. The teacher nodded and moved on like nothing important had happened.
But it was important to me.
That small moment didn’t change my life, but it changed how I saw myself. I realized that I didn’t have to be fearless to be capable. I just had to try, even when I felt uncomfortable.
I don’t remember what the question was anymore. I just remember choosing not to stay silent.
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