Happy Mother's Day!
Although I'm a bit early, I just wanted to remind you that the Saturday before Mother's Day, is also the day for the National Association of Letter Carrier's Food Drive. Every year, those hard working letter carriers deliver the mail, and pick up food which is taken to their local Food Bank or other non-profit with a feeding program.
Over the past few years, I've noticed that a number of homes don't have a bag of grocery next to their post office. This is very disappointing to me, as the NALC Food Drive is perhaps the easiest way to help those in need.
Every year, a few days before the Food Drive, I go through my cabinets and select all of the grocery products that my family no longer eats. These non-profits also use all non-perishable grocery products, including toothpaste, lotion, vitamins, etc. As long as the product won't wilt or melt while sitting next to your mailbox, the letter carrier will pick it up.
Let's honor our Mother's (birth and others), by helping those in need on Saturday, May 9th.
By the way, Happy Mother's Day to you!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
I Love Me -- Do You Love You?
Once again, we survived Tax Day!
It's hard to believe that we're already in the 2nd quarter of the new year.
Yesterday, I reread a book about finances, the economy, and Wall Street. It seems as if the economy is slowly turning around...however, how much more damage do we have to endure before we feel on firm financial ground.
Sure, I know people who have lost their jobs (some because of the economy), but let's be honest, some people are losing their jobs because they don't have a clue about what good work ethic is. Sure, you may show up for work, but are you actively engaged in the tasks required? That seems to be a question that more people should ask themselves.
A couple of weeks ago, I presented a speech about the power we hold over our own lives. That speech was very well received (I'm moving away from the humor genre)...and I'm thinking of revamping it and presenting it at other clubs. Who knows it could become my signature speech. The gist of that presentation was that we make our own choices on both a conscious, as well as a subconscious level. In essence, we have more control over our financial, spiritual, and relationship well being than we give ourselves credit for.
Sure, we can't take credit for all of the good (and/or) back luck, we have in life...however, the real trick is to take the lesson from every situation that comes up. While I'll agree that not all lessons are easy to find...the truth is, there is a gem of a lesson in every situation we deal with.
It's hard to believe that we're already in the 2nd quarter of the new year.
Yesterday, I reread a book about finances, the economy, and Wall Street. It seems as if the economy is slowly turning around...however, how much more damage do we have to endure before we feel on firm financial ground.
Sure, I know people who have lost their jobs (some because of the economy), but let's be honest, some people are losing their jobs because they don't have a clue about what good work ethic is. Sure, you may show up for work, but are you actively engaged in the tasks required? That seems to be a question that more people should ask themselves.
A couple of weeks ago, I presented a speech about the power we hold over our own lives. That speech was very well received (I'm moving away from the humor genre)...and I'm thinking of revamping it and presenting it at other clubs. Who knows it could become my signature speech. The gist of that presentation was that we make our own choices on both a conscious, as well as a subconscious level. In essence, we have more control over our financial, spiritual, and relationship well being than we give ourselves credit for.
Sure, we can't take credit for all of the good (and/or) back luck, we have in life...however, the real trick is to take the lesson from every situation that comes up. While I'll agree that not all lessons are easy to find...the truth is, there is a gem of a lesson in every situation we deal with.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Is It Contest Season Already?
When I first joined Toastmasters, my goal was to earn a Distinguished Toastmaster designation. I thought that designation would be the end of my Toastmaster career. However, the more meetings I attend, the more meetings I want to attend.
A few years ago, I thought 'if only I could speak like so and so'; in actuality, I had to find my own voice (similar to authors). It seemed that my forte (so to speak) was with humorous (not comedy) presentations.
When I was quite young, Dr. Seuss books were my favorite. I can still recite most of the words from Green Eggs & Ham, and another of my childhood favorites, Are You My Mother?.
My natural gift is an innate ability to write rhymes. Many presentations I gave were rhymes. I've been told that they are quite amusing; to that end, a great majority of the presentations that are "contest worthy" are in the form of rhymes. I thought I'd continue along that vein, until one of my Toastmaster brothers compared my presentations to Dr. Seuss. Although I'm sure the comment was not meant as a put down, I began to think that perhaps my presentations were a bit elementary. Since then, I've began to rethink my presentations -- stepping out of the proverbial box (so to speak).
Even though our Area contest has already taken place (and I was not a participant), I began thinking of the 2010 Tall Tales and International Speech Contest. The Humorous Speech and Table Topics contest will take place in the Fall -- so that gives me quite a bit of time to write and rehearse a presentation for the 2010 International Speech Contest.
Our club (Dynamic 90's) members believe it's a good idea to participate in contests. We encourage all members to participate at least one time. I certainly believe that competing outside of the club is a great way for each of us to build our confidence and presentation skills, as well as an opportunity to network with other clubs, and see other speaking styles.
I encourage all members to participate in contests, and one of my goals is to participate in , all 4 contests.
A few years ago, I thought 'if only I could speak like so and so'; in actuality, I had to find my own voice (similar to authors). It seemed that my forte (so to speak) was with humorous (not comedy) presentations.
When I was quite young, Dr. Seuss books were my favorite. I can still recite most of the words from Green Eggs & Ham, and another of my childhood favorites, Are You My Mother?.
My natural gift is an innate ability to write rhymes. Many presentations I gave were rhymes. I've been told that they are quite amusing; to that end, a great majority of the presentations that are "contest worthy" are in the form of rhymes. I thought I'd continue along that vein, until one of my Toastmaster brothers compared my presentations to Dr. Seuss. Although I'm sure the comment was not meant as a put down, I began to think that perhaps my presentations were a bit elementary. Since then, I've began to rethink my presentations -- stepping out of the proverbial box (so to speak).
Even though our Area contest has already taken place (and I was not a participant), I began thinking of the 2010 Tall Tales and International Speech Contest. The Humorous Speech and Table Topics contest will take place in the Fall -- so that gives me quite a bit of time to write and rehearse a presentation for the 2010 International Speech Contest.
Our club (Dynamic 90's) members believe it's a good idea to participate in contests. We encourage all members to participate at least one time. I certainly believe that competing outside of the club is a great way for each of us to build our confidence and presentation skills, as well as an opportunity to network with other clubs, and see other speaking styles.
I encourage all members to participate in contests, and one of my goals is to participate in , all 4 contests.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
How I Went from an Average Speaker to...
Well, I just completed another speech. The reception of the members and guests was fantastic. One of our guests today was a local doctor. Although the majority of her patients are suffering from serious illnesses, the doctor shared with me (during our break) that she would like to be able to give classes to those patients suffering from similar diseases. She told me that the main reason she decided to visit Dynamic 90's Toastmasters is because she heard about the members, and the reputation for great speakers.
Truth be known, although I am inherently shy, the support that I receive from my fellow Toastmaster brothers and sisters encourages me to work hard to show them that I am truly worthy to be a member of such an well recognized club.
Perhaps the part of Dynamic 90's Toastmasters that pushes me to higher levels is the fact that we meet in the heart of South Central --- When people hear that I'm a member, they naturally expect great things of me -- and I aim to please.
Although I've been a member of Dynamic 90's Toastmasters for a number of years, and I've earned the highest designation, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), I'm happy that I'm still actively engaged in the continued growth of my membership.
Truth be known, although I am inherently shy, the support that I receive from my fellow Toastmaster brothers and sisters encourages me to work hard to show them that I am truly worthy to be a member of such an well recognized club.
Perhaps the part of Dynamic 90's Toastmasters that pushes me to higher levels is the fact that we meet in the heart of South Central --- When people hear that I'm a member, they naturally expect great things of me -- and I aim to please.
Although I've been a member of Dynamic 90's Toastmasters for a number of years, and I've earned the highest designation, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), I'm happy that I'm still actively engaged in the continued growth of my membership.
Friday, May 23, 2008
What the Heck is Toastmasters - and Why Should I Join?
When I first joined Toastmasters (I can't believe it's been about 8 years now), I was amazed at the level of support the club showed.
Dynamic 90's Toastmasters meets on Saturdays from 8am - 10am. Now I know that most of us get up early for work everyday (I'm usually at work at 5am) -- and the thought of preparing for an 8am meeting is almost insane -- yet the members of Dynamic 90's Toastmasters are at the assigned meeting place (90th and Normandie) on time -- looking as if they just stepped out of GQ and Essence magazines.
When I first joined, I was amazed at the ability of the speakers to seem at easy speaking in front of an audience -- yet what really blew me away, was the fact that each speaker also had an evaluator. After the 3 speakers presented their speech, they were evaluated for 2 - 3 minutes. I guess it seems kind of weird that the speeches were limited to 5 - 7 minutes - yet the presenters were able to put so much information in them.
A few weeks after I joined, I was given the opportunity to schedule my Ice Breaker Speech, which is a 4 - 6 minute presentation. Being the internally shy person that I am, I knew the best way to feel comfortable when my day to present arrived, was to pack the audience with those who love me best.
On that particular Saturday morning, my family was with me. Needless to say, I felt very comfortable and was able to speak without any real embarrassing moments.
Dynamic 90's Toastmasters meets on Saturdays from 8am - 10am. Now I know that most of us get up early for work everyday (I'm usually at work at 5am) -- and the thought of preparing for an 8am meeting is almost insane -- yet the members of Dynamic 90's Toastmasters are at the assigned meeting place (90th and Normandie) on time -- looking as if they just stepped out of GQ and Essence magazines.
When I first joined, I was amazed at the ability of the speakers to seem at easy speaking in front of an audience -- yet what really blew me away, was the fact that each speaker also had an evaluator. After the 3 speakers presented their speech, they were evaluated for 2 - 3 minutes. I guess it seems kind of weird that the speeches were limited to 5 - 7 minutes - yet the presenters were able to put so much information in them.
A few weeks after I joined, I was given the opportunity to schedule my Ice Breaker Speech, which is a 4 - 6 minute presentation. Being the internally shy person that I am, I knew the best way to feel comfortable when my day to present arrived, was to pack the audience with those who love me best.
On that particular Saturday morning, my family was with me. Needless to say, I felt very comfortable and was able to speak without any real embarrassing moments.
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