Page 18 - January 2021 Voices

I WAS THINKING . . .

Centered

Emilie Taylor, DTM - Immediate Past District Director

With all that is going on, we can feel overwhelmed. speakers an avenue to educate us to understand
With all of the media attention and amplification our current conditions.
and all of the overwhelming issues in politics, With all that seems turned upside down,
things seeming out of control and the word Toastmasters is something that we can center

COVID-19 at least once per day, we can find on for preparing speeches, listening to, and
ourselves mentally up against the ropes begging discussing relevance in our lives. Toastmasters
for the bell to ring to literally take a breath. We gives us some space to focus our thoughts on
are all in this together. What can we do? something other than the blasting winds of

current affairs. Indeed, Toastmasters can bring
TOASTSMASTER some refreshment.

Tread above, All I can say, is that we tell those we love, that
Over we love them! Take some time to call on the
Assaults to thought, and isolated. Encourage and offer solace to those you

Seeming come in contact with. Socially distance contact
Terror. and with masks, cannot mask our hearts and
Mastering our thoughts. minds from lifting the psyche and soul. Here is

Always watching our words the thing about it. All of the uplift and good is
Steering a gift that lifts, and the lift and gift are free. As
Toward goals with much as we sometimes feel isolated and that no
Exceptional one cares, we are only catching the contagion of
Rhetoric fear, lack, isolation, and want. What you have

in you is an antidote and a positive contagion!
Silly as it sounds, TOASTMASTERS has an Most of all, this contagion of good positive love
ongoing mantra to help others, raise them up actually boosts our immune system for the

and make them better, by their own actions. receiver, the giver, and the witness of the gift
Toastmasters is a catalyst for growth and of giving. Do not underestimate your powers
change in individuals and clubs. of good!
Toastmasters also can be a catharsis to Now get back to loving and living!

speak and share through speaking. It allows us
to raise our voice in praise for the good, uplift Back to you fellow Toastmasters!
and encourage. It also has been seen in some

18 ONE COMMUNITY