Don't be afraid, the stage has never rejected your clumsiness.
The moment the spotlight shines, what's most unsettling isn't the blinding light, but the inner voice saying, "I can't do it." But do you know what? The stage never chooses who you are; it waits for the one who dares to take that first step, even if you're trembling and stuttering.
It seems to be a common problem for us to shrink back from opportunities. We always feel that the spotlight is reserved for others, and we only deserve to applaud from the audience. It's like building a wall around ourselves, keeping all good fortune out. But actually, who among those shining on stage hasn't been clumsy and embarrassed in the past?
Take Huang Bo, for example. Now a household name and a renowned actor, before he became famous, his life was incredibly frustrating. He sang in nightclubs, enduring jeers and boos from the audience; he worked as an extra in film crews, without even a complete line, and directors would constantly yell at him. Back then, he had neither good looks nor connections; who could have imagined he would become famous? But he didn't shy away. He endured those difficult days, turning the ridicule and his own embarrassment into the confidence he gained for acting. Even when playing comedic or villainous roles, he meticulously studied the characters and let his talent speak for itself. Gradually, he not only acted well but also won over fans with his humor and relaxed demeanor, stepping into the spotlight.
And then there's Emma Watson. After playing Hermione in Harry Potter, she became a global star. Logically, she could have continued acting and making money, but she chose to attend Brown University. At that time, the world was watching her. She worried about falling behind in her studies, about not fitting in with her classmates, about people saying, "Celebrities are just there to get degrees." Most people might have given up long ago; maintaining a "perfect star" persona is so easy. But she didn't back down; she walked into the classroom with trepidation. Even when she was so nervous she couldn't speak during her first speech, even when her classmates gossiped about her, she didn't give up and eventually finished her studies diligently. You see, daring to take off the halo and show your imperfections—that's true strength.
Fear is perfectly normal; everyone has moments of weakness. But if you hide from everything you're afraid of, you'll only ever be a spectator. There are too many people like that around us: those who want to write stare blankly at a blank document, afraid of being laughed at for writing poorly, and a year later, they haven't even come up with a decent title; those who want to give speeches memorize their scripts eight hundred times, but when they actually get to the venue, they hide in a corner, too afraid to raise their hand; those who want to switch jobs and get a better one see job postings and are tempted, but are afraid they're not qualified enough and don't even dare to submit their resumes.
And look at J.K. Rowling. When she wrote Harry Potter, she had just divorced, was raising her child on welfare, and was so poor she couldn't even afford heating. She could only spend her days in cafes, looking after her child while typing in a small notebook. Back then, she had no idea if her writing would even be published, let alone become a global sensation. After finishing the manuscript, she submitted it to twelve publishers, all of whom rejected it. Most people would have thrown it in the trash long ago, but she didn't give up. Finally, a small publisher was willing to give it a try. You see, if she had been afraid and given up then, where would this magical world be?
In fact, change doesn't require a huge uproar; the key is to take action. In meetings, even if your voice trembles, deliver the plan you've been working on for so long; at gatherings with friends, even if you're afraid of feeling awkward, take the initiative to greet strangers; if you want to learn a new skill, even if you start from scratch, set aside some time each day to practice. These small things are all ways of building your confidence.
When you finally stand on that big stage you never dared to dream of, you'll find that the audience isn't actually that picky. They don't care if you're nervous, they don't care if you say the wrong thing; they value your sincerity and whether you're truly putting your heart into your work. Those who stand in the light aren't born brave; they simply nailed their feet to the ground after countless times wanting to run away. Even if their legs are weak, they still finish what they said; even if their hands tremble, they still finish what they did.
The greatest regret in life is never failure, but the thought, "I could have." Stop hesitating. The stage is there; it has never rejected even the clumsy you. Reject regret, as long as you dare to take the first step.