Question

The question was: What are you proud of having taught yourself to do?

One of the greatest skills I have, that I had the foundation for, but have honed myself on, is I can make conversation. That sounds stupid, but incredibly few people can sit down at a table with seven people they don’t know and have actual conversation.

I have started to dread going to events because as I told my friend, Trish, “I’m always the floor show.” Some days I just don’t feel like being that “up” and want to just take someone else’s lead. And, sometimes I run into someone I know and just enjoy visiting with them, but in general I am the conversation starter.

I sit down, extend my hand to the person next to me and say, “Hi, I’m Patsy Terrell…” I then go around the table and ask everyone’s name. Then, I try to engage people in a conversation. I always wonder if I didn’t sit down if they would just sit there the whole meal not talking to anyone except the person they came with.

Another thing I taught myself to do, that I’m very proud of, is swim. I’m terrified of the water and decided that everyone should face at least one fear. So, I learned to swim. I’m not an exceptional swimmer by any means, but I can move myself through the water. And everytime I do it, I have to convince myself to put my face in the water all over again. It’s not a natural thing for me at all.