In the speech that I evaluated at our meeting on Wednesday night, the speaker taught us to “start strong and end strong”. That’s what I’m hoping to do in today’s blog. After a few days away, on the heels of a very productive and very hot June, I ready to get back into my content.
Last night was the Fourth of July, and as is tradition we all got together at the Gaffron farm in Guffey. Rain was in the forecast, but it held off long enough for us to enjoy the fireworks and enjoy everyone’s company. I wasn’t able to stay for the fireworks but I did have fun visiting with my cousins, including the ones who came from afar.
I ate very well as there was plenty of food to be had, and a lot of desserts. I can’t believe I missed that carrot cake though. I brought cookies while Mom brought the charcuterie. I really loved the canolie tray though. A couple of things I could have done to make the night go better would have been to: take the night off. I thought the picnic was going to be Saturday so I asked off that day instead. A simple mistake but I enjoyed my vacation the week prior and my experience last night. Another thing that would have made the night go better: take a walk around the farm and get some pictures to put on my digital frame. I’m always looking at these kinds of things on the socials and have a few books on design, why not add some nice pics for good measure? One more way to make the night worthwhile: Having a slice of that carrot cake.
Back to Wednesday’s meeting. It was our first of the new Toastmasters year, which starts in July. That means we served in our new officer roles. After serving as President last year, I am taking on the role of Vice President Education in Greensburg. We heard a person giving their first speech (the ice breaker) and a more seasoned speaker (he was the one who told us to “Start strong and end strong”). Our District ended strong by becoming Select Distinguished due to the success of the clubs that are a part of it. Our Division was President’s Distinguished. All this is thanks to District Trio, Division Director, and Area Director and all of their hard work.
My Spirit of Toastmasters fire is burning once again, after having been extinguished as the pandemic hit, thus cramping my style. Also a factor was the process of rebuilding due to COVID and transitioning to a new job, all of which meant a new routine and taking time to get established. I’m still not 100% a fan of Zoom but I’m much better with it now than I was in the height of COVID. I even gave a speech standing up for the first time last week using the platform.
A few years ago when we went to the farm for the Fourth of July, I was dealing with regret. I felt like this gender nonconforming journey was a huge waste, as I lost most of my support system upon leaving WIS and living at home I got no support. I felt worthless as I walked away from the church the previous Fall. The person whom I depended on for encouragement in my journey had ghosted me.
I broke down to my cousin who was visiting with her family and that night I found no better support system than her. One thing I learned from her that I needed to do more was to practice self-love. My mom always tells me, if you like something (in this case, clothing) then that’s all that matters. My cousins were on my side that night and we even got tissues to dry our eyes.
Two years later, I look back on that night and see the progress I’ve made. I’m a better person and I learned those who mind don’t matter, while those who don’t mind, matter. Things turned around at the end of 2022 and while I had a few slumps in the next year, I broke out of them.
Finally, as we enter a new month and I just had a birthday, what better time to get back into the Bible? Seeing that July has 31 days, I’ve been reading the book of Proverbs. I haven’t stopped believing in God. I just needed a break to find myself.
Tomorrow, I’m going to start a month long project on prayer with the new books I bought on Amazon. I like the Evans family and I follow them on the socials. I’ve read a lot of Tony’s books as well as one from his son. His daughter was in a few of the Kendrick Brothers’ films as well as the upcoming movie in theatres this August. I look forward to being fed this summer as I get back into more inspirational reading.
Stylish 🍒 