How this embarrassment helps and humbles me

 The Roadblock

Many and most people reading this blog and following my words only know me via my blog. My images, my pictures and my videos. However, you may not have ever met me in person, and this i think is where things will change for how most view me and  friendship. You decide once you read on..

If you have met me in person and I’ve put out my hand to shake yours, you probably realized that my palms were sweaty or clammy and most times just wet. Yuck, I can see the look on the faces of others as are palms lock and previously I would always wonder what was going through the mind of that person. This embarrassing problem that I have is called Hyperhydrosis of the palms, by just keeping it real it means my palms sweat so much they literally drip sweat as if I was playing a vigorous sport.

This has held me back since 6th grade and of what I could remember it had hindered my ability to thrive socially even to this day. But you would never know that right? In the Industry that we are in, its called relationship marketing, which means we have and MUST build long-lasting and true relationships with people in order for them to trust us and do business with us.

Back in the 6th grade I was asked to come before the room and read my story to the class, I was nervous as anyone else would be in this situation but something else was different about this for me. I held my paper in my hand and began to read. I felt a warm nervous feeling come over me as I continued to read, and before you know it I had finished reading my story only to look at my paper and it was literally soaking wet and there was a puddle of water in front of me on the floor. Yes, it was from my palms; How could this be? This was the first time I had realized that I had this issue. Quite honestly from that day going forward, I would have to carry a towel, or something in my pocket to help keep my hands a bay, but it never helped because I would always be presented with situations where I had to shake someone’s hand.

I asked GOD daily and even to this day WHY? Should I question him, what is the reason why I have sweaty palms? My conclusion was that I would have been such an obnoxious person that he used my hands to humble me, and that it did. As an adult, I needed to find a way to build my confidence especially with my gift of  Public Speaking and the industry of Network Marketing that got me started down that path. How was I going to overcome this?

1. Ask for GOD’s help – Almost everyday before I get into a social situation where I know I will have to shake hands or meet and greet people, I pray. I sit in my vehicle and pray that GOD gives me the confidence to keep it all together. I also almost everyday carry a few scriptures with me that help me and prepare my mind for the situation. Faith is confidence that everything will work out in the end. And Courage is the state of mind that faith creates that allows me to face the situations.  Proverbs 3:5-6 and Proverbs 3:25-26 are the scriptures I take with me daily in my pocket. They strengthen me.
2. Personally develop myself – I needed to now begin to work on my mind because it was mind over matter for me. I needed to realize that other people had worse conditions than I had and some other people are far worse than I was so I needed to begin to work on myself which I did. I read books that helped me build my confidence and helped to restore order for me.
3. Become Uncommon – I had to become Uncommon and after reading Tony Dungy’s book on being Uncommon, it totally transformed my life. I had to stop thinking about what others thought about me and become a transparent servant, and allow my vulnerabilities to show. I now realized that most people thought I was anti-social because I stayed away from conversation. No, it was because I did not want to shake your hand and be revealed.
4. Build a strong support system – My wife and daughter and true friends have known all along about my sweaty palms and how they totally embarrass me in many situations, but I kept pushing through because GOD has something special for those that seek him and push through whatever it is that is your road block in life. Building a support system of people I could honestly speak to about what I face daily and socially, helped allow me to release ALLOT of frustration.

If you are struggling with something that is holding you back from your true potential, I am going to ask you to ask GOD to help you break through. It was only because I found scripture that could help me face the Giants that held me back. I pray you build a system of support around you and go for whatever it is that you seek!

Question: What is that one thing that is holding you back from your dream?