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Show lIMlLffiCAMlOffi Defeating the Inferiority Complex QALVIN OSBORN, San Diego, Calif., entered Washington Missionary Mis-sionary college in Washington, D.C., one of the most backward, bashful students who ever crossed the campus. He had developed one of the worst cases of inferiority complex and self-consciousness anyone could possible have. It began when he was just a lad. He was next to the youngest In a family of six children. His mental attitude caused him to develop de-velop the habit of stuttering, and his older brothers broth-ers mocked and made fun of him. Finally he got - to the point where he refused to talk before a group. All through high school he lived in that atmosphere at-mosphere of fear and worry. Why couldn't he recite re-cite like others? Why couldn't he answer questions ques-tions in classes without embarrassment? In his Spanish class he would be asked: "Senor Osborn, Que le'ccjon tenemos para hoy? Que pa'gina?" (Mr. Osborn what lesson to do have we for today? to-day? What page?) To that question and all other Carnegie questions, he would answer "No comprendo" (I don't comprehend). He was afraid of his own voice. Even in college col-lege he would hide behind the one in front for fear he would be asked a question. And he wanted to enter the ministry! He knew what that meant! Public speaking and plenty of it. There was only one thing to do, so he made up his mind that every time he had an opportunity to speak in public he would. The director of the woodworking wood-working shop at Washington Missionary college encouraged him. One morning he said, "What one man has done another can do." Then Calvin Osborn said to himself, "Cal, if you have to let some of your studies go in order to give a talk, do it. Don't worry about mistakes everyone makes them." Opportunities came and he accepted them. In the woods, in his room, walking down the street he practiced talking, and he overcame his fear by doing what he feared most. Today as pastor of a large church he no longer stutters; his worries and fears are gone. It is as easy for him to talk as it is to eat. |