Sometimes I just need to vent

Through the various roles I've taken on in Toastmasters, I've learnt the importance of having a positive attitude. I struggle with that sometimes though because, let's face it... sometime we just need to vent.

I am learning that I don't need to verbalize every thought that runs through my head, but sometimes I feel if I don't vent, I'll just explode one day. I've thought a lot about my need to vent, and believe me, I don't vent to everyone. I try to vent to at least person who I know will understand and validate my frustration.

We have all met some people who irritate us from the time we first meet them. Maybe they act really smug, and project that somehow they're "better" than we are, when in reality, we know they're not. That's our opportunity to learn how to "bite our tongue". Let it go... walk away. But sometimes, I can't do that. Sometimes I want to know that it isn't just me... that someone else finds them irritating as well. Then I can go "Whew! It's not just me!"

I'm never going to be the type of person who is always happy, chipper, positive, sees the good in everyone. I swear those people are on drugs - and I find them irritating as well. Yes, try to stay positive, smile a lot, and learn to walk away when one such irritating person decides to join your conversation. Because it isn't worth wasting anymore than two seconds with some people. You may have to deal with them occasionally, but you can attempt to keep it to a minimum and admit, at least to yourself, that you would NEVER be friends with them. NEVER. EVER. Life's too short to put up with some people. I'd rather pretend they don't even exist.

Usually when I vent to somebody, there's wine involved and we end up laughing it off. That's healthy, at least I think it is.

Stay positive by all means, stay pleasant and polite, but remember - stay real!

This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.

I'm Back!!

I know I haven't posted anything in a really long time, but I have a good excuse, really I do! Over the past year, while I was an Area Governor with Toastmasters, I kept a blog for my area. Also, I was filling a lot of roles in my home club - VP Education (the most time consuming) and Immediate Past President. Plus I was filling in as VP Public Relations, since we didn't have anyone for that role.

But that's behind me now. I don't expect to be as busy as Division Governor - no blog, no clubs to visit on a "regular" basis. I really should get back to this blog, if only to keep my creative writing skills up, if this can be called creative!

Have you ever sat back and reflected on your life? Wished you had a chance to do something over? That's where my head's been at lately. No regrets though - every journey in life has brought me to this moment - all the good, all the bad, all of it. But, what if we did just one thing different? How would that affect where we are today? What if I'd never joined Toastmasters or never moved to Keswick, or married someone different? What if I'd changed just one thing. Would I still be who I am today? Who knows, but it's interesting to think about.

I don't have anything special to rant about today - nobody's pissed me off... yet. It's been a funny kind of day - the heat has driven up my blood pressure and I've felt "out of it" for most of the day. Good thing what I'm currently working on is drudgery, not requiring creativity or much thought. Whoever heard of a release announcement that's over 600 pages, anyway? Well, I don't make the decisions, I just do as I'm told by the person who signs the cheques.

I was looking forward to my favorite show - Big Bang Theory, which is on every Monday night. Just my luck though, it's a rerun tonight. Good excuse to write in my blog and to go to bed early.

This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.

My Toastmasters Journey

I didn't realize how long it had been since I have spoken of Toastmasters. Yes... I'm still in Toastmasters!!! After my wonderful year of President of my club (www.simcoeshores.ca), I've taken on the role of Area Governor for area 14.

It's busy... probably busier than I expected, but then so was being President, and I can't describe all that I learned in that year. Now I'm learning how to manage projects, delegate, and plan. I just know when this year is over, I'll be amazed at how much I've learned.

I've got good clubs in my area too, and as is the Toastmasters' way, they're very helpful when I need them. I exist to serve them, to offer advice, to give support, and do whatever I can to help each of them be successful. I love visiting other clubs as well.

And conferences... there have been conferences! The last one was at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood, and I went by myself. I couldn't have done that two years ago!

I'm trying hard to keep up writing and giving my speeches. I sense they're changing as well; including more of the skills that Toastmasters teaches us.

This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.

Competition Time

This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.

Ah, spring is in the air!! And with spring comes the Spring Conference for Toastmasters. This year it's being held in Burlington.

Every year I enter the Humorous Speech Contest in the fall, but this will be the first time I enter the International Speech contest. I've decided I've run out of humourous topics - the last one I did was on the funny side of menopause. Everything in life is a learning experience, right? Well, I learned that what I think is funny about menopause, scares the crap out of everyone else. I can't quite describe the feeling when, halfway through my speech I looked out at the audience and realized I had terrorized them! I found that fact quite funny actually, but I didn't even come close to winning! That's okay though - I learned the importance of knowing your audience!

So, here I am trying for the international contest. It doesn't matter if I win or not - it's all just an exercise to see what works. The problem is what I find interesting or inspirational, probably isn't for most people, but we'll see how it goes.

Win or lose, I'll still get something good out of it. Keep your fingers crossed for me!


This work by Suzette Leeming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.

What is Toastmasters?

Amazing how quickly a month goes by. I should at least set up a day of the week on which to post.

It was pointed out to me (thanks Paul!) that I never really explained what Toastmasters is.

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. The organization currently has 226,000 members in 11,500 clubs in 92 countries. Some well-known Toastmasters include Peter Coors of Coors Brewing Company, Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies, Tom Peters, management expert and author, and Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii.

Toastmasters has been helping individuals develop communication and leadership skills since 1924. Toastmasters is for anyone over the age of 18 and members come from all walks of life. One thing they have in common is a strong desire for self–improvement and helping others. We learn best by doing. Each Toastmaster Club is a learning laboratory where you'll enjoy experimenting, discovering and developing your potential.

Simcoe Shores Toastmasters meet on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays of each month at Belhaven Hall on Warden Avenue (just north of Old Homestead) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Guests are always welcome to join us at our meetings.

Effective July 1st, I'll be taking on the role of President for the club. I'm a little overwhelmed, but shall endeavour to do my best, which after all, is the best any of us can do. I'm also trying to keep in mind that this is a learning opportunity. My first role in Toastmasters was Secretary/Treasurer, then I was VP Public Relations last year, and now I'll be President. With each step, I feel my confidence growing and I know I will learn a lot from this experience.

Wish me luck!

What if...

Toastmasters changes lives. I heard this phrase quite a bit when I first joined Toastmasters, but I have to admit... I didn't believe it. Oh sure, it was something worthwhile doing, sort of an educational/social/volunteering kind of thing, but changing lives?? A stretch... or so I thought.

Then I attended the Toastmasters District 60 Conference held a few weeks ago at the Sheraton Conference Centre on Hwy. 7 and Leslie. This was a last minute decision for me, as I tend to avoid large crowds, especially conference-wise. I worry that someone will try to talk to me and I'll be forced to chit-chat and I'm not good at that. I'll either babble on about myself, create a social faux-pas, or make a fool out of myself somehow. So, I attended the conference reluctantly, but that's getting off-track. I listened to some of the most inspiring, insightful speeches, and heard people talking about what they have achieved in life as a result of what they learned in Toastmasters. By the end of the conference, I'd come to the realization that... wait for it!!! TOASTMASTERS CHANGES LIVES! Will it change mine? I don't know or expect that, but what if?

And, as the current VP Public Relations, I would be remiss if I didn't get this plug in...

Simcoe Shores Toastmasters, of Georgina Ontario, meets on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays of each month at the Belhaven Hall, on Warden Avenue, just north of Old Homestead, from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. We welcome guests and you owe it to yourself to come and see what Toastmasters is all about. And ask yourself... What if?

Simcoe Shores Toastmasters website