I was perusing an Oliverite’s Facebook page recently, and looking at photos of days gone by, when I realized that there may be many people reading the Oliver Daily News. I read a statistic given by the federal government, that for each letter they receive from the general public they figure that there are 1000 people represented by that opinion. If that is true, then is it also true that the six people making eight comments on my last posting entitled “Pears” represent 6000 people? If that is so, with the web being world wide, the Oliver Daily News could be read on every continent. That possibility was something inconceivable during the days of Wally Smith and his weekly column entitled The Orchard Run.

What propels me to write? I have something to say.You all have something to say and your stories are just as thoughtful and interesting as mine. Let me tell you how my writing began.
The first time I ever spoke in public was during a city council meeting. My knees literally banged together I was so nervous. Fortunately I was standing behind a lectern so my knees were hidden. Afterwards I sought a way to overcome that nervousness and discovered Toastmasters International. I joined and learned three things, how to lead, how to speak in public, and how to write. The writing didn’t come until 2009, when I started writing my autobiography during my surgery recovery from cancer of the prostate.
Another boost to my personal confidence came with my participation in a volunteer program with Shaw Cable Community Broadcasting in Red Deer Alberta. I shared the hosting of a program called Swap N Shop, where people phoned in to buy and sell items. The show was live as well as taped. I viewed the show after the taping and watched as I licked my lips constantly during the whole performance. I was shocked upon the sight, for there were 3000 people at any one time watching me lick my lips! Then I thought, who cares but me anyways, so I’m not going to worry about it.

The whole point here is that our self consciousness is only about ourselves and how we think others see us. It doesn’t matter how others see us as long as we are true to ourselves. That is why I write. Let me encourage you to write too.