Page 33 - Voices 6.2017

But there was a little piece of me that ourselves to our fears, we learn how to navigate
liked the meeting amidst all of the terror.
Or at least trusted that it would deliver on
its promise to build my confidence and help
instill communication and leadership skills. I
had faith that it would get better.
The veteran members told a glorious and
compelling story. Confidence seeped from
their pores. They masterfully assumed the
spotlight in our small classroom and spoke
with self-assured poise and passion. They were
engaging, they were hilarious, they inspired me.
If this was a byproduct of the Toastmasters
journey, I was willing to suffer through some
discomfort along the way. I strongly believe
some of our most meaningful growth happens
when we embrace our fears and do the most
uncomfortable things. I suspected Toastmasters
would corroborate this belief and result in
incredibly rewarding growth.
I returned the next week to inch my way a
little further down that scary and uncomfortable
road. I signed up for my first meeting role, which
was simultaneously awful and not nearly as bad as
I feared. That has been a recurring theme of my
Toastmasters experience. Every role I’ve assumed
and every speech or evaluation I’ve delivered
has been scary, but manageable. Toastmasters
has helped show me that I can maneuver the
spaces I found so paralyzing.
That’s how conquering fear works, right?
The only way out is through. When we expose
Congratulations to Be Extraordinary Pin
recipients — Abraham Alfaro, Janet Cerasin,
Linda Cox, Peter DeGraff, Allan Edinger,
Scott Fraser, Pam Gundrum, Dennis Hill,
Ronda Holdridge, Ginger Killion, Jerry
Kleffner, Beverly Lim, Adele O’Neal, Katrina
Rodriguez, Harvey Schowe, Connie Smith,
Larry West
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 12 JUNE, 2017
them.
My armpits still spew sweat, my stomach
still hosts an army of butterflies. But it keeps
getting better. It is easier to find my voice and
to stand up – both in front of our encouraging
entourage of Toastmasters and outside of that
safe space.
In a mere two months, Toastmasters has
done wonders for my confidence and for my
excitement to speak up. It has led to small, but
mighty, victories – in our weekly meeting and
in life. When all eyes and ears are on me, my
heart beats a little slower than it used to and
my stream of words is faster and stronger.
My podcasting friend emailed me again last
week to ask if I’d be willing to record another
episode with her.
This time around, a conversation sounded
way more appealing than reptiles. My response
was not reluctant. It was enthusiastic.
“Heck yes,” I said.
Emily Halnon joined Yawn Patrol in April 2017.
She labels herself as a Communications Professional,
Campaign Strategist, and Running Addict. She was
featured as one of Fitness Magazine’s “Fit Bloggers
We Love” Highlighted by Washingtonian as one of
“5 Triathlete Bloggers to Know in Washington”
Nominated as one of SHAPE magazine’s Top 20
Running Blogs Run Washington’s “Best Running
Blog” Runner’s World Twitterati “Funny Runner”.
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