Beating My Own Drum
Bongo Drums by Craig Jewell
In my case, it was literal.
My first public speaking experience was at church when I was 13. I was asked to give a five minute talk from the pulpit. As I was speaking, I nervously flicked my middle finger against my thumb, thumping my open Bible. I finished my talk and was rather proud of myself. When I sat down with my family, though, they didn't even make eye contact with me!
Later I found out that the congregation hardly heard a word I said. My thumping was picked up by the microphone so loudly that it drowned out my entire speech.
My brothers never let me forget it. When I would talk at the dinner table at home, one of them would always say, "Thump. Thump. Thump."