I used to follow my dad for some of their functions. The speech contests which I found really interesting. I enjoyed listening to the speeches but it kinda stops there. As time passed since my dad first introduced to me, it has been at the back of my mind. Then I decided to attend the Young Graduates Leadership Workshop. But it stops there. After a while I started considering joining but was always hesitant and in uni days ‘didn’t have enough time’ was the reason. There were also reasons like, I don’t really like to talk to an audience so why would I join something which has to do with talking. I won’t know what to say. They are of different age groups…and the list goes on.
When I was younger, all I want to do was dance dance dance. I can do anything on stage if it were to involve body movements. I can be the star that shines on the stage and nothing matters. I live in my own world. I didn’t care if people were looking. Each time, I danced with my heart drowning in the music which at that moment seems so magical. During ballet performances it’s as if I’m drifted off to another land, a dream land, a fantasy land, a land where all things are dainty and beautiful. The booming music for modern jazz seems to boom right through my heart, and apparently right through my body and my limbs with movements bursting with energy. And tap was just fun fun fun! It was like eating ice cream that wouldn’t melt.
But that’s only if it involves dancing. I always told my mum, ‘as long as I don’t have to open my mouth on stage, I’m fine’. Even singing gives me the shivers (yes, even when it’s in a group). Over the years, through uni, I learnt to speak up. Going out of my comfort zone to approach people and introduce myself. That’s because unlike most who went to uni with a friend or two, I went alone. So I had to go out of my way to make new friends. Of course I can choose not to but that would’ve made me not just a lonely girl. I’d have missed all the good times and experiences I had with the friends I made there. And of course it made me better too for today, approaching new people and introducing myself has become a part of me. Thus, going out of my comfort zone made me better. Made me grow as a person.
That is why I decided to go for my first Toastmasters meeting yesterday. It could be because I want to learn to speak in public. It could be because I love to learn new things. It could be because I want to communicate better. It could be because I want to meet people, great people that would share great wisdom. The possibilities of why I finally decided to join are endless. But most important of all I know it would do me good. It would make me better. It would make me improve with all the possibilities of learning. As Oliver Cromwell puts it, ‘He who stops being better stops being good’.
My first meeting was inspiring and as always, I learned some things new, some I already know. But we all need to be reminded once in a while no matter how much we know it. People are very friendly, supportive and what can I say besides I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me! =) Gives me a few plus points in the entertainment industry too. Emceeing could just be next. Who knows? 
Have a great week ahead!
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