Don’t Fear What Other People Think Of You

This morning’s International Speech contest taught me a lot.

Some people have a secret.

Some have a fear of missing out.

We can find inspiration anywhere.

We need to have empathy.

We can feel empty despite doing everything right.

Finally, we need to be SMART, especially when it comes to firearms.

I’m so glad I was not a judge in this morning’s contest, but rather an attendee.

Today’s area contest brought all the feels. A great Table Topics contest was the perfect way to kick today’s festivities. The question was “What trait was reinforced during 2020”. Perspective, Priorities, and Patience were the answers. I wrote a blog this morning about the trait reinforced in me during 2020.

Chad Hudson served as our contest chair and Linda Young was chief judge. They put together a great team that helped this contest run smoothly. Beginning this blog with the end in mind, Chad asked for feedback from the District Trio, a few of our Division Directors, and past dignitaries (including me). We talked about how great the event was, how great the speeches were, and some of the answers to today’s table topic question.

The speech topics ranged from social issues (transgender people and gun safety) to life during the pandemic, and living your life for others instead of yourself. Every speech was amazing and not a bad one in the bunch. Not a dry eye either. The last one really got to me. People need to pay attention to the dangers of firearms. The acronym Joe Schmitt used was very informative. As gun owners, we need be SMART for our children.

Dawn Fratto’s speech ended up winning first place. What I picked up from the award winning speech was that we’re always trying to fit in. Despite all she had to endure, she began to rise from the ashes (like a phoenix). Despite living a successful adult life, she felt empty despite doing everything right.

We have a fear of what other people think. We worry that we are not going to be accepted unless we fit a certain mold. Here’s my personal story.

I was having coffee in Ligonier with my friend Sara this afternoon, and one of the things we talked about was fashion. I like to carry accessories with me and wear my clothes a little different. She and her mother have adopted me into their family and let me feel comfortable to be myself. It hasn’t been easy as I speculate on how my family might react, especially my parents.

Sara calls me her big brother, and also her fashion buddy. I’m also starting to introduce her to some of my blogger friends. One of these days, I’ll even introduce her to Team Trendy (she went to high school with Emily Parker).

We are all different. Don’t ever tell yourself you’re not good enough. Celebrate where you belong. It’s high time I drop the “married to my job” and “married to Toastmasters” tags and other labels that people have bestowed upon me.

All in all, the speeches were great and hard to judge. I’m glad I didn’t judge this contest. It opened my eyes, put things into perspective, helped me to prioritize, find inspiration anywhere, and made me cry 😭.

Big thank you to Chad Hudson, Linda Young, Jing Humphreys, Stephanie Scott, Patti Thor, Bob Johnson, John Sinclair, and all who attended to make this contest a success. Plenty more to come in this season.

It’s a season I live for. It’s contest season.