Dear Dayra,
I need advice. I got chosen by Sister Mary Joseph to deliver the teacher’s day address at the school assembly. I am terrified. I’m not used to being chosen to do speeches because of my good behavior. Back in the Dominican Republic, I was an awful student. The teachers couldn’t get me to sit down but now I’m being chosen to give a speech I am absolutely mortified. At first I didn’t want to write the speech and now I just can’t. I have writers block. My dad tells me to think of it as a “great honor” but I still have a lilt to my accent and I’m scared that the kids are going to make fun of me. Every time that I attempt to write something down I get scared because, I feel that everything I say will cause a roar of ridicule and laughter. Please help me. I’m begging you.

Sincerly,
Dominican Girl

Dear Dominican Girl,
When I was younger, I was also moved from another country to the United States. I understand how hard it is. Let me give you a little tip confidence is the key to everything because confidence is a beautiful thing. As they say “Always walk like you’re wearing an invisible crown” because I can assure you that you are a princess. You say that you still have your accent in English it’s okay. When you’re up there and you feel your accent coming on just keep going. At the start yeah they’re going to laugh because they’re kids, but when they see that you aren’t letting it get to you they’ll stop. When it comes to writing the speech here’s another tip. Carry around a small notepad and jot down all the ideas that you get throughout the day. Then when you get home write them into the speech. Just “inhale the confidence and exhale the doubt”. You’ll do fantastic darling I just know it. I hope I was helpful in some way.

Yours Truly,
Dayra

Dear Dayra,
I’m seeking help. I am now a mother of 2 beautiful girl and I have an amazing husband but sometimes I feel like they don’t support my dreams. I have many great ideas, if I may say so myself, and I would like to invent something. My daughters and my husband don’t take me seriously when I think I have a good idea. I would really like to do something and invent something that is useful to others but how am I suppose to feel confident about what I’m doing when my own family doesn’t even support me. One time I had an idea to make suitcases with wheels but my family said it was a useless idea. Sometime passed and then I found out that someone else had the same idea and is making MILLIONS off of this. I can’t help but think what would have happened if they would have been more supportive. Would we be living with millions of dollars? What do you think I should do?

Yours Truly,
The Great Inventor

Dear The Great Inventor,
It is an amazing thing that even though you are a mother and a wife you still find time to do what you want to do. In my opinion you should always chase your dreams even if you’re chasing them on your own. If you really want your family there with you tell them how you feel because it’s not helping if you just keep this bottled up inside and stop inventing. Think about your keeping your ideas inside and people are missing out of your wonderful ideas. What if that little invention thats in your head right now can change everyone’s life right? Every person has a talent and yours just happens to be inventing so you shouldn’t hide it. Even if your family doesn’t support you if they see how serious about this they will be behind the whole time. They are your family after all and no one turns their family. Trust me.

Sincerly,
Dayra