Life is but a hard and torturous(曲折的)journey．It 1 us to face many difficulties and troubles．Therefore, I 2 like to say, “No matter what happens, be self-confident．”
When I was 14, I suffered 3 a lack of confidence．I was very timid(胆小的)and overcautious(过分谨慎的)I dared not answer teachers’ questions in class and was 4 in public．My classmates often 5 me．I was sad but could do nothing．
Later, something happened, 6 changed my life．It was a speech contest 7 at our school．My mother persuaded me to take part, which meant that I had to speak in front of all the teachers and students of my school．
8 idea! I could not even collect enough 9 to talk to a single person alone．But my mother had 10 confidences in me．She had wonderful dreams 11 my future．Her confidence 12 me to take part in the speech．
I 13 a topic most appropriate to me, “Self-confidence and Success”．I tried my best 14 my whole speech 15 it more than 100 times before a mirror．With my mother’s great love and encouragement, I 16 the contest．
I could 17 believe my ears when the news was announced that I had won the first place! I heard 18 from the audience．Those classmates who once laughed at me，now 19 me．My mother embraced me and cried excitedly．
Since then, everything has changed for me．In 20 I do, I try to remind myself that self-confidence is the first step towards success．This is true for each single person as well as for a nation．