How My Stuttering Has Been an Unexpected Gift

Have you ever received a gift box that looked unappealing on the outside, yet the gift inside was beautiful? In its own beautiful, messy way, stuttering is a gift.

As author and stutterer Katherine Preston once said, “Stuttering has given me far more than it ever took away.” In one aspect, my stutter has taught me how to think before I speak. Whatever I say needs to be worthwhile and uplifting, because I have to fight for those words. My stutter has also taught me how to listen more than I speak. Listening to the amazing words of wisdom that others have to say has enriched my life beyond belief! Most of all, my stutter has taught me how to love people in their humanity… to love their flaws and imperfections, because true beauty is in the heart.

With every block, every repetition, every prolongation, stuttering can reach into the very depths of the human heart, giving the stutterer extraordinary insight into himself, and most importantly, insight into others. In a truly remarkable way, stuttering has given me more sympathy for the world around me. Over time, I have started seeing the world in a whole new way. Not just looking, but seeing.

When speaking doesn’t come naturally, speech becomes so priceless. Life itself becomes priceless. Stuttering makes you hug a little tighter, love a little deeper, and smile a little bigger. My stutter has given me a heartfelt gratitude for everything in life.

I truly believe that my long years of silence gave me a greater sensitivity to the small things that I used to take for granted. Stuttering has opened my eyes to the breathtaking beauty that fills every day and the incredible potential within every person. When I finally realized that my stutter didn’t have to define me, a world of possibilities opened up!

Stuttering is a daily battle to break free and to make one’s voice heard… but you know what? It is a worthy battle. Stuttering has taught me perseverance in a way nothing else can.

Is there an unexpected gift in your life that you haven’t opened yet? Accepting our weaknesses is all about redefining strength. Strength isn’t always doing something well. Sometimes, true strength is having the courage to try.

Follow this journey on Flawlessly Spoken.