...GOD WILL NEVER HELP YOU BE SOMEBODY ELSE - JOYCE MEYER

Right before graduation, I watched my first Oprah's show on cable. It was the ever first cable my family owned, thanks to my elder brother who had at the time landed an oil company job. I experienced a mix emotion - overwhelmed, fascinated, drawn to her and her guest etc and from that moment I needed to connect with people the way she did.
Some how, I got hold of a collection of Oprah's interviews, a good number of them and watched every one of them, with a writing pad and a pen. I jotted every statement or phrase that stood out for me. Till date, about a decade, I still have the notes.
At that  time, I wasn't sure of the career path I wanted to follow but I was certain the classroom was not the place for me, but I  had studied Education anyway, because it was what was available at the time. I got into broadcasting and started learning the ropes. I tried thinking like Oprah and approaching topics and people the way she would. I was trying too hard and kept disappointing myself until I held my first Face to Face talkshow and went on a charity visit with my team. I felt fulfilled and satisfied. It was young people and for young people and my guests were government officials. They interacted with the young people who asked burning questions and engaged in healthy arguments on how they, in their positions influence the lives of young people. It was very spirited and I was very happy. my team and I hen went on a charity visit to some displaced people settlement and that again left me fulfilled.
I could never be Oprah or any other person I fancied. I could never act like Oprah. All I could be was me and do what I was put here on earth to do.

MY LIFE IS MY MESSAGE TO THE WORLD - GHANDI

A lot of us wait for a bigger platform to express ourselves. We often think we have to stand at the center stage with the limelight on us for us to be heard. We may never tell our stories or pass on a message if we wait for the right moment and a set stage.

While growing up, my classmates paid attention to the rich boys and beautiful girls. I hid in the shadows and spoke in a low voice because I believed nobody wanted to hear me and there was no need to draw attention to myself. In my eyes and head, I was a freak and I any attention meant negative remarks or exposure of my vulnerability. At that time, I was the only one vulnerable in the pack because I had a disability and to me, physical flaw was the flaw that mattered to the world.
One fine day, during a literature class, I was chosen alongside other students to read in front of the class. It was a play and we all took our characters.
At the end of it, my cousin said, 'Hey, some of the guys think you have a beautiful voice'. 
Right there, a seed was planted. I had identified something that could be useful to me. What more could I use to make empower the voice even more? Words. Phrases and sentences.
Gradually, I developed an interest in words and became more creative.
I wrote a synopsis for a local radio station and was given a shot at broadcasting. At first, the timidity was in my voice and it stayed with me but I had started sending out my messages. Bit by bit, one show at a time, I shared my experiences, my lessons and myself.
I am still doing that but on a lager platform. Hopefully, you will share too.

I COME AS 1 BUT I STAND AS 10,000. - Maya Angelou

Everyday I give out quotes on air. Little did I know I might need them more. I try to motivate and encourage at least one listener with each quote.
Yesterday, I heard a quote from Oprah's talk on Career, Life and Leadership and I wrote it down for me. At that moment I decided to also share not just the quote but me.
I feel small walking into a room. I wear a smile to hide my nervous eyes. I count myself as less than 1. But yesterday I learnt I am more than the 1 person you see. My heritage, my history, my lessons, all of that amounts to so much energy that I can always pull when I feel small and alone.