Page 15 - 2018 June Voices

Success

Toastmasters Journey.
It is like tending a garden. We have planted, is every minute

nurtured and encouraged individuals and clubs all
year. We begin to see the fruition of all of the effort we you live. It’s the
have put in. Sometimes the harvest does not appear
to be as bountiful as we think it should be. We really

do not know how and what our efforts will produce. process of living
I began an application to Toastmasters back
in about 2002. In 2014 I joined. Twelve years of
germination before I began to sprout. So I have to It’s stopping for

ask myself: Did what I do this year make a difference?
Cicadas take 17 years to come out of the ground the moments of
and make themselves heard! Did we change the
world in one year? Maybe not. Did we plant many

seeds? Yes, we did! Did we share with others the beauty, of pleasure;
value and benefits of Toastmasters? Donna Stark,
District Director, reminded me that even in a crowded
airplane, or waiting for hotel agent to give us our the moments of

keys—I certainly did! It was crazy fun to share the
idea of Toastmasters! peace. Success is
Did we make new friends this year? Again, I
certainly did. These are intrinsic benefits that only

our minds and hearts can answer. Does it matter not a destination
whether or not we earned President’s Distinguished
distinction? Yes, perhaps on the surface—but It is the
deeper rewards that matter most. Saying goodbye that you ever

to the current position and saying hello to new
opportunities . . . doing our best and being our best reach. Success is
. . . that is what really matters.
Blowing my nose and wiping my tears—I smile

and welcome Cate Arnold as the new Club Growth the quality of the
Director. To all of my mentors—you have taught me
so much. You inspire me! Thank you all!
See you next time as Program Quality Director! journey.

— Jennifer James

VOICES! | JUNE, 2018 15