Arteries
Tag: relationships
15 Years and Counting…
As of the 1 March this year, I have been a member of Toastmasters International for 15 years.
In some ways, it seems a long time, in other ways not. In that time I have:
- Been a member of 4 clubs, and am currently a member of Gledswood Toastmasters
- Achieved the level of Distinguished Toastmaster
- Won three Club and two Area International Speech Contests
- Prepared, written, rehearsed and delivered well over 100 speeches
- Competed in numerous contests
- Served as President of 2 clubs
- Served on a number of Executive committees
- Built a new Toastmasters Club jointly with Rhys Tague, DTM
- Served as a Club Coach of Gledswood Toastmasters jointly with Rhys Tague, DTM
- Served as an Area Director
How has that all benefitted me? Let’s have a look at me prior to joining Toastmasters…
When I joined Toastmasters in 2008, I was 45 years of age. I am a born Introvert who used to get so nervous around people even into my 20’s that my hands would shake if I lifted a drink to my mouth during a conversation. True.
I used to talk around people I knew but if a stranger joined the conversation, I would clam up. True.
Prior to joining Toastmasters, my only instances of getting up in front of people related to Photography. I have been a photographic judge since 1995 and used to judge at 10-12 clubs a year from 1995 through to the early 2010. Even though I was incredibly nervous, my passion for photography, and wanting to help people, had me speaking in front of an audience, evaluating their images.
There were times when I was offered a glass of water etc whilst I was up judging that I declined because people would see the glass shaking due to nerves, so I would politely decline it, even if I was thirsty… True.
A couple of times, I was physically ill prior to judging and often would not eat dinner before I was judging sometimes as I was worried I might be ill. Also true.
Making 2-3 comments on an image is very different to getting up in front of people and delivering a rehearsed or impromptu speech.
The night before I did my Ice-Breaker speech at Campbelltown Toastmasters, I could not sleep, or eat on the day of the speech. Wendy White, DTM, President of the Club at the time and friend, reminded me that ‘Toastmasters is a mutually supportive environment’ and every member knows how you feel as they have been through it.
Some of my nerves did go and I delivered the speech and funnily enough, I didn’t burst into flames!
Joining and committing to the Toastmasters programme has helped me in the following ways:
- Gained greater general confidence
- Am able to control my nerves prior to and during speeches and photographic judging
- Can do things in front of others without getting nervous
- Can walk up to strangers and introduce myself
- Has improved my networking skills
- Has improved my business capabilities
- I have no fear of public speaking now
- I have no fear of taking up leadership roles
- It has made me a better leader
- It has made me a better listener
- I can now evaluate better
- My ability to ‘think on my feet’ (impromptu speaking) has improved
- It improved my performance at job interviews (when I was an employee)
- Has enabled me to write and deliver coherent speeches
- Enabled me to compete and win speech contests (who would have ever thought?)
- Has improved my general writing capabilities
- Gave me the confidence to start writing Poems (over 500 now)
- Opened up opportunities outside of Toastmasters for public speaking including, VIEW, Probus, Photographic clubs, a business conference and Emceeing 3 family weddings
- Has enabled me to have a positive impact on people within and outside Toastmasters
- Has helped me improve my speaking/leadership at my BNI (Business Network International) Referral chapter
Why do I stay?
I stay because of the following 4 reasons:
- Continuing professional development: I can always improve
- Paying it forward: I can help mentor those who are earlier on their journey
- Relationships: I have made a lot of good friends in Toastmasters
- Entertainment: We always have fun at our meetings
I would absolutely recommend joining Toastmasters International, even if you are only looking to improve your general confidence. In doing that, it will open the door to improving you and your performance in a number of ways.
Like everything worthwhile in life it requires discipline, commitment, being open to learning, being prepared to step outside your Comfort Zone and into your Growth Zone, and you can do this whilst having fun!
Here’s to your Toastmasters Journey!
Written by David Johnson
8 April 2023
For more information on Toastmasters International: http://www.toastmasters.org/
Goodbye to an angel
It’s been a phenomenally sad last few days as, and our Family’s collective Hearts are aching at present as, in the early hours of the morning on 24 November 2021 our beloved Mum, Iris passed away, having just turned 91 on the 15 November 2021.
Mum was born on 15 November 1930 and grew up in the Depression years, was 15 when World War II finished, married Dad on 8 December 1951 and had five children, losing two of them as infants. There would be no greater pain, I think for a parent to lose one of their children, alone, let alone two. So much to go through yet they did get through all that and provided a wonderful home for their children. Dad passed away on 16 January 2015. They had been married for 63 years.
They have two great-grandchildren and sadly, Mum has passed away without seeing her first great, great-grandchild who was due to arrive on 21 November 2021 but was late as, at date the birth has not happened yet.
Mum was shining light in our Family, and as a long-time (54 years) best friend of mine said the other day, he always thought of Mum as an Angel. I can think of no better way to describe Mum.
Rest In Peace Mum, you certainly deserve to.
With all our Love,
David, Susan and Family
27 November 2021
A Fine Writing Instrument
Staring Into The Flames
Rebirth
What Is A Poem?
100 Great Wonders Poetry Challenge!
Yesterday, whilst visiting Mum for lunch, I came across a book I didn’t remember seeing there before called ‘100 Great Wonders Of The World’ – A collection of the World’s awe-inspiring places, buildings and landscapes.
As long as I can remember, these sorts of subjects have fascinated me. I love reading and researching them. We have not, at this stage done a huge amount of travelling so until we do get to some more, this has to suffice.
Upon borrowing the book and returning home, an idea came to mind to use the images as reference photos for my Watercolour Sketching practice. I realise I can Google these places anytime and references photos on the Internet are seemingly endless, however, having them all in one book is quite attractive. I still find that, ‘curling up with a real book’ is still far more attractive the scrolling online.
This morning, whilst flipping through the book, another idea came to mind… I have set myself a challenge and that is to write one Poem about each of these ‘Great Wonders of the World.’
I will read about each one, survey the images, go away and think on it and then write a Poem.
The first ‘Wonder’ is ’The Great Fjords of Norway.’ Here is the Poem I wrote:
The Great Fjords of Norway
Where Vikings reigned supreme
Long, narrow gorges
Flooded by the sea
Magnificent waterfalls cascade
Against a backdrop of Green
Majestic mountains rise
Snow-laden figurines
Tiny villages are scattered
Indeed they are so remote
Boats are the optimum way
To keep communication afloat
The Great Fjords of Norway
Where beauty reigns supreme
Long, narrow gorges
Flooded by the sea
I think this will be a very interesting challenge as it will help ’stretch my mind’ Poetry-wise and also further inspire us to do more travel when able.
Only 99 Poems to go!
Written by David Johnson
26 July 2020
Each Book A Symbol
Decision
Communicating Creatively 