The sun sets on another day…
Sunset was initially so bright it was hard to look towards the west. As the far west clouds rose to the occasion the sky was filled with colors, and the twilight gleamed like fireworks.
I have been curious about Toastmasters for a long time. I was a speaker on technology and quality for a long time and am always concerned that I am not getting enough experience speaking anymore. I always loved teaching large groups and the excitement in people’s eyes when you show them something new or share your excitement.
Today I met three people. There were three very different people. The president of our Toastmasters group was there and was joined by three newbies, one being me. We each had our reasons for being there. One of us was there to be a part of toastmasters, and I expected them to be entirely driven in their quest. One of us was there to get back into the swing of things after a long time lost in COVID quarantine. As I said, I was there to enjoy talking with other people and staying frosty in case I ever start speaking again.
The approach was straightforward. For this group, we did table talk where a question or item was given, and the task was to speak about it off the cuff for one to two minutes without being the “uh-ah-um” monster. It was a fun interaction that made it even more fun for the people. One of us dropped off before that started, and the three of us remaining laughed, smiled, made jokes, and generally enjoyed the time.
As we started winding down, I thought about my teammate who had been isolated for a long time and experienced the damage done to so many. They noted themselves as an introvert, and as we all interacted, they became more and more engaged in the moment. They were perfect, and perhaps this is and was a step towards healing, trusting, and re-engaging with people or at least engaging to the level they are comfortable with. I have high hopes because I think they did very well.
So as the sun sets on another day, we all have to step back after the last several years. Some of us have hidden away like hermit crabs in our small shells. We have sealed ourselves away from the world. With the significant amount of data coming out and the information being created, the world will change significantly over the next several years. Be patient with people and help them find their way in their time if you can. If you are alone, find your way back into the light with the people who care about you. We are not meant to be solitary creatures. It can work, but it’s not a lot of fun. Find your way and find happiness as much as possible, no matter what.
Sleep sweet, love life, and happy trails…