Page 34 - June-2021-Voices
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I WAS THINKING , , ,
A New Perspective
Emilie Taylor, DTM - Immediate Past District Director
A few weeks ago, I finally convinced my husband forced to pay attention to only what demands
Steven it was time to take a break. He suffers your immediate attention such as self-existence
from “workaholism”. . . while staring down a big wave! All of this made
Road Trip! It’s been a long time since we me think of how small my life was compared to
were on the road together. It’s been 14 months what I was experiencing. Oftentimes we think
to be exact. Covid was the (excuse), I mean, the that our world as the entire paradigm of the
reason. We packed, locked up the house, and Universe. Yet it is only a miniscule facet of what
off we went! Luckily it rained for several days is truly out there! Even that facet is still filtered
before. The plants would all be okay. and interpreted by our emotions, memories, and
We drove to the Oregon Coast, stayed there what we attach meaning to.
for a couple days and had a great time. One day Ernest Hemmingway said: “Never write about
while walking along the beautiful stretch of sandy a place until you’re away from it, because it gives
beach, it made me think of how I view life in you perspective.” I actually agreed with Ernest
general. It gave me a different perspective. Let’s here. Having had a chance to be away from my
see, Covid, stay home, stare at computer, read role as District Director for almost a year now, I
emails. One’s perspective narrows. Thinking ask myself: Would I do the same things I did or
from a beach is indeed different than thinking do them differently? Honestly, it depends on the
at home! situation. Most of the decisions I made I stand by
At the coast, strolling on the beach, you have them because I consulted my team. When your
the wind blowing on your face and you hear the decisions are not made in a vacuum and guided
roaring thunder of the crashing waves. Of course, by our Toastmasters Core Values, we tend to hit
you must pay attention to those silly little sneaker the mark more closely.
waves unless you want to make the news. You are Retrospectively speaking, I would spend less
34 ONE COMMUNITY
