Have you ever been bullied at school? Did anyone make fun of you, because you were different or because you got better grades than your classmates? Bullying is something we all hope not to deal with at all and certainly not beyond eighth grade. But, unfortunately, even as grown-ups we have to face people who try to intimidate us, who shake our self-confidence and who make us feel helpless!

Do not let these people tell you who you are and what you can or can not do or let them stop you from achieving your dreams!

Take time to watch this inspiring video. It is about one very talented boy, who was always bullied in school! Amazing confidence booster!

I had always been scared of living alone. I could not stand the quiet, nor the idea of being all by myself in a room or apartment, even eating out on my own was scary. Growing up, I always had my siblings and shared a room with them, and even when I finally started working, I still shared an apartment with my cousin until she moved to another city.

As I was bent on finding company, my cousin kidded that I should just keep the apartment all to myself and be on my own. “Why don’t you try it? You are not scared, are you?” To me, this came both as a challenge and as a joke, knowing very well I had not tried it before.

After much thought and financial considerations, I did as she said and that started the unending lessons in life. From getting things in order, to learning how to cook, to having independence and total freedom with decorations and arrangements. Later I found that with quiet surroundings and with no one to talk to, I actually experienced a different kind of peace. Solitude had its benefits too!

Since then I have learned to do a lot of things without being scared, like cooking a 3-course meal for 10 people (before this my brightest culinary achievement had been French toast), sleeping in a big house, and traveling on my own.

Have you had a similar experience?

What was the major “switch” in your life that led you to have greater self-belief?

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For many people, the fear of public speaking can be very real and very  debilitating. Just try to imagine stepping out on a stage, and looking down on a sea of faces all waiting for you to start…

1. Put negative experiences behind you.