Overcoming “Hurdles” Nervousness! The one feeling our bodies never seem to hide. For some people, they have to be faced with a great challenge to experience this. While for others, just standing in front of a class size full of people like myself can be very nerve wrecking. I have a short story to share about a moment in time when I felt this feeling of apprehension the most. A freshman, yes that’s what I was. My first home track meet of my high school career.
Today was a fairly warm spring day. A great day I might add for my first taste of a real teeth gritting, nerve bending, battle. I was getting ready to do to the 300-meter hurdles, which was up next. Oh, how those hurdles make me nervous. This was my first chance to prove to everyone that I have potential and that I was a winner. The very first opportunity for me to show the other schools that they had some seriously tough competition ahead of them.
As I stepped into the blocks in lane 3, I observed the anxious crowd slowly start to quiet down simultaneously. My stomach felt like a jar full of butterflies trying to make their way out. Those silly “What if… ?” questions started racing through my mind.
I looked up to my right and I saw my fierce opponents setting their blocks. I’m wondering if they ” re thinking and feeling the same way as I. I felt the wind slightly graze the apple of my cheek, so smooth and gentle. It sends a cold, icy shiver down my spine; I tremble at the feeling. With the wind blowing, the tall, strong, pine trees gave off a sweet scent mixed with the smell of freshly cut grass. I veered to my left and I saw my teammates giving me the thumbs up, gesturing reassurance with smiles.
The Essay on Era of Good Feelings 6
The period of time after the War of 1812 was known as The Era of Good Feelings. The name of this period of time was not consistent with the events that occurred during this time. The era was a phase of happiness and prosperity at times. People were happy because the United States was getting bigger and bigger which gave them more access to more natural resources which would then add to the specie ...
While in the same instant aggressive looks on their faces called out to me, “You can do this!” During this time, I began to feel like all the focus was on me. In the back of my mind I hoped my competitors didn’t notice my edginess. I wouldn’t want to show them my weakness. I see the short, chubby man with the elongated chin, holding the bebe gun ready to say, “Runners to your mark!” I thought I was ready, I’ve waited long enough, and this is my time to shine. I wanted to get rid of this feeling of anxiety. The gun goes off.
All the tension I had built up inside has now subsided as I make my way out of the blocks. One stride, two strides, three strides, I leap my way over the first hurdle. I’m no longer afraid of the obstacles before me, I now know I can over come them… this moment seemed to last forever. So whenever I get really nervous, I think back on this event and I gain a sense of courage. I have the power.
Any situation that I may be facing at the time may not be so scary after all.
