As Michelle Obama took the stage, the room fell silent. The former First Lady’s presence commanded attention, and her words carried weight. Her eloquence, passion, and charisma left the audience in awe. So when she finished speaking, there was a collective moment of silence as everyone processed the powerful message she had just delivered.
And then, I made the mistake of raising my hand.
I am the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama.
As I stood up and cleared my throat, I could feel all eyes on me. The weight of the room’s collective gaze bore down on me, and I suddenly felt very small. What could I possibly say that would follow the profound words of Michelle Obama? How could I hope to match her eloquence, her passion, her wisdom?
But despite the sinking feeling in my stomach, I pressed on. I stumbled through my words, trying to convey some semblance of intelligence and coherence. But it was clear to everyone in the room that I was out of my league. My words fell flat, my points felt shallow, and the audience’s attention waned.
As I finished speaking, the room fell silent once again. But this time, it wasn’t out of respect or awe. It was out of pity, or perhaps embarrassment on my behalf. I had dared to speak after Michelle Obama, and I had failed miserably.
Walking back to my seat, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of shame and regret. Why had I thought it was a good idea to speak after such a powerful and influential figure? What could I possibly hope to add to the conversation that hadn’t already been said by someone infinitely more qualified than myself?
But as I reflected on my mistake, I realized that perhaps there was a lesson to be learned from my blunder. Maybe it’s not about matching the eloquence or wisdom of those who come before us. Maybe it’s about having the courage to speak up, even when we feel inadequate or out of our depth.
So maybe I am the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing after all. Maybe it’s a reminder that we all have a voice worth sharing, even if it pales in comparison to those around us. And maybe, just maybe, it’s a lesson in humility and perseverance, even in the face of overwhelming odds.