Sunday, August 24, 2008

Courage To Conquer

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the 77th Annual Convention for Toastmaster’s International. In being there, I partook in the vision of the originator of Toastmasters, Ralph C. Smedley. In 1924, he was the Director of Education for the Young Men’s Christian Association, the YMCA. He saw that the young men at Santa Ana, California needed training in public speaking.

The vision that Mr. Smedley had for those men 84 years ago in Santa Ana is now being realized by almost 235,000 members, men and women, from across the world. The vision as written today is, Toastmasters International empowers people to achieve their full potential and realize their dreams. Through our member clubs, people throughout the world can improve their communication and leadership skills, and find the courage to change.”

The winner for this year’s World Championship was La Shunda Rundles. She gave a stirring and sassy account of her battle with Lupus with the help of her Mother’s firmness who taught her to speak through her fears.

Katherine Morrison, my favorite International Speech Contestant,spoke of overcoming the bullying that she encountered in school. Through the belief and encouragement of a teacher,she found she had the choice of what to believe about herself. She overcame her self doubts to earn a PhD in Public Health from the University of South Carolina. She placed 3rd out of the 10 contestants. Her stage presence exuded strength especially when she strutted off the stage with her doctoral hood draped over her shoulders.

Pamela Wallin, Canadian journalist, former Consul General in New York city, an Officer of the Order of Canada, received the Golden Gavel Award this year. This is given to non-Toastmasters who have achieved excellence in communication. She spoke eloquently of the impact of others on her life beginning with growing up in a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada which taught her the valuable lessons of community and civility.

I learned that people are not only conquering their fear of public speaking but other fears as well. The president of Toastmaster’s, Jana Barnhill, gave an inspiring speech of her victory over her fear of heights. She was in a small plane when it was caught into a storm at night. It tossed them about for 2 hours before they crash landed. The finale of her speech was a video of her skydiving. The theme she chose for Toastmasters in the coming year is “The Courage to Conquer”.

Another woman next to me at the dinner table told me of her own battle with the fear of heights. Through will and determination, she is attempting to become a 46er. These are people that climb the 46 Adirondack Mountains in the New York state. She has climbed three of them so far.

“Didn’t you panic?” I asked her. “Oh, yes. They had to drag and push me across this last precipice. I only had 100 feet to go to get to the summit. Then when we got there I refused to go back down.” I knew she had to get down somehow,..she told me that there happened to be another route down that particular mountain, a very steep road. They all had pretty achy feet after that but she did it with the help of her friends.

I volunteered to assist people off the stage for the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is where distinguished Toastmasters and Districts are recognized; it is like the Academy Awards for Toastmasters. I watched as a blind woman, then a woman with leg braces walked across the stage. No doubt there were countless others whose handicaps were not obvious to me. Okay, the blind are still blind and the lame are still lame but now they have confidence. The look on their faces told me that they achieved their dream. They have changed.

What about me? I gave this speech after less than a week’s preparation. It usually takes me four because. I have been too afraid to make a mistake or fall from the mountain. I thank God for Toastmasters because with their help and with His help, I am beginning to believe in the vision too. I see a competent, confident and courageous person climbing a summit today.


I want to add to this, a thank you to my blogpals for their interest in my life. You have helped me to believe in myself.

Thank you.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

On to the Next One

I was watching a travel show with my family a couple of evenings ago. It was about Switzerland. I am very afraid of heights so even watching the footage from the mountain tops made me feel uneasy. The finale was a shot of a mountain where you had to actually travel through an ice cave to get to the top. The travel host said you had to be careful not to walk too fast for the air was thin.

I said to my family how I would feel if I went on such a trek. My Middle Daughter said, "You would want to go up every mountain after that."

That is how I am doing now. I am up high where the air is thin.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Sainted Women

fragile folds in robes
immortally marbled
by ancient sculptors

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

A Kite

I read a book a while ago written by W. O. Mitchell titled "A Kite." It was about an old man over 100 whose life is seen as an analogy of flying a kite.
I had tried flying a kite before as a child but was never able to even get it up in the air. Yesterday, we were at the farm and my Mother-in-Law found a kite in the basement. She carefully led us to a safe place to fly it, away from power lines.

As a family, we took turns flying it. My Husband went first, doing well but handing it over to his Son so he could enjoy the feeling. My Son kept the kite soaring for a long time although it was his first time. I was amazed at how artfully it flew under his guidance. My Middle Daughter kept the kite high in the air although not as high as my Son. When it came down, it gently touched the ground.

I couldn't keep my eyes off the kite, thinking of the story of the old man. I had to try it myself.

I let the line out quickly, thinking how easy it was. It seemed to be flying very high from my point of view but suddenly it plummeted to the ground. My Son came to help me wind the string back up. I asked him what I did wrong. He replied that it was the speed with which I let the string out and that I could play with it by tugging back at the string then letting it out.
He told me that he had caught his fingers in the string but I had never noticed becaused he didn't panic as I might've but gently took the line in his other hand so the string could relax and he was freed.

Oh...

Monday, April 14, 2008

Nice Surprise




Your Social Anxiety Level: 40%



You have low social anxiety.

Of course very unfamiliar or strange situations make you uncomfortable.

But you can pull through and handle almost any social occasion with grace.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare



I started a reading program during my recuperation.

I finished A Midsummer Night’ Dream as I enjoyed the morning in bed. I chose this book because my Middle Daughter was studying it in her Language Arts class and we read the first scene together.

She ran off to finish it with her classmates and teacher while I struggled behind. It was a difficult read for me 60% of the time. The parts where I caught on were like a joyous dance, “Hey I am getting this!”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a play within a play. The plot revolves around a love pyramid of four young Athenians: Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius and Helena. It took me awhile to get this pyramid straight but it got more confusing once the fairy king got involved with his own problems which he tried to rectify with magic love juice.

This story is a classic love comedy with enthralling twists for any age and era. I especially like the fact that I read it because of my 16 year old. She wrote, as a class project, a journal from Helena’s perspective. I can’t wait to read it.

Friday, February 22, 2008

An Update

Hi Everyone,
It was Revision's 3rd Anniversary on Feb 19th! I haven't left the blogging world even though I haven't been posting lately.

Right now, I am in the hospital and have been here for the last three days. Life without medication will have to wait. I am doing well though, so don't be like me and worry...

Love ya!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

I've Been Tagged !

1.WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
I was named after my Dad's favorite aunt...


2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
This morning...



3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Not sure, it is getting more like chicken scratch every year...



4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey...



5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yep...



6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Definitely...



7. DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT?
Alot? What is a lot?


8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Nope.



9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Only if my life depended on it!



10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Muffets. (Have you heard of this one?)



11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Yes.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Getting there...


13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
I like them all.



14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
If they are an introvert or extrovert.

15. RED OR PINK?
Both, together...


16. WHAT IS THE THING THAT YOU LIKE LEAST ABOUT YOURSELF?
Fearfulness.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My parents.


18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
It would be nice.


19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Red nightgown with gold trim and mocassins.


20. HAVE YOU EVER RE-GIFTED?
I don't think so.


21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
I am kind of oblivious to the outside world right now but my Son is in the backgrouond, watching tv behind me.


22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Maybe purple?

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Citrus, lilac, roses,

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My Daughter.


25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
You bet. I would really like to meet her next time I am in town.


26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Uh...soccer but I am not a real sports fan of any type.


27. HAIR COLOR?
Dark Brown


28. EYE COLOR ?
Dark Brown


29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Mexican.


31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS ?
Scary movies with happy endings?


32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Bee Movie

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
See #19


34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Both.


35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Kisses.


36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
See #13


37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Hmmm...


38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND
Hmmm...


39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Bible, of course, the Book of Luke.
And Ball of Fire:The tumultuous life and comic art of Lucille Ball


40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Uh...my hand...


41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
Nothing...


42. FAVORITE SOUND?
My children getting along...


43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Its got to be the Beatles in this house...


44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Europe.


45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Oh yes...


46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Hey, I gotta protect my identity........



47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Yours!

Monday, January 14, 2008




Your Hidden Talent



You have the power to persuade and influence others.

You're the type of person who can turn a whole room around.

The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it.

Always remember, you have a lot more power over people than you might think!


I did this quiz so long ago that the link has been removed...
But tell me anyways, what is your hidden talent?