From now until Christmas, content will begin to increase on this blog. If you enjoy reading my posts, this will make you happy. But, it will be a mix of shorter and longer posts. Nevertheless, I’ll always have a lot to say.
Last night, Cutie’s Coffee held its bible study which runs every other week. I missed the last one to tend to a speech I was giving the next night at Laurel Highlands Toastmasters. But I was right back to it last night. The message covered the topic of “Seasons” and the speaker did an amazing job talking about the different seasons that we go through in life. She also gave us passages in the Bible to look up that related to them.
We all go through different seasons and no one’s journey is the same. I’m going to apply some of what I learned to next Wednesday’s “Reflect on your Path” speech at Greensburg Toastmasters. There were four seasons that the speaker discussed: dirt, pruning, dry, and harvest. I’ll put these use when talking about my path. In today’s blog, I’ll also describe how these seasons have applied to me as I’ve been on my fashion journey and, as I’ve transitioned over the last few years in life.
Dirt season: It’s 2019 and I just achieved my Distinguished Toastmaster award. Now that I’ve climbed to the top of the mountain, I have some options. Do I take a break or do I take the jump into my path. As I was starting to give speeches in my path in the summer of 2020, my “fashion journey” was just being born and was in its dirt season, as well.
Pruning season: This applies more to my non-Toastmasters life but here it goes. It’s also been its own process for the majority of my journey. At the start I was dependent on others and having to explain myself so I didn’t feel like I was labeled as mentally ill. Some people can be cruel. I’m trying to spend less time on social media as well, and being less dependent on others’ opinions and on having attention.
Dry season: In the post-WIS, post-DTM era, I feel like my dry season came early in 2022. I wasn’t feeling like I was getting any attention or love in my journey. I left the church a year earlier because of differing opinions and aside from Easter 2023, haven’t been back. I talk about coming back and then back out. I started to wonder what the point of it all was. We’re just coming out of what we experienced during COVID, and I’m starting anew at Giant Eagle.
In Toastmasters, I felt that this came after the pandemic made its arrival in the spring of 2020. We’re now meeting online, and this is the new normal. I didn’t initially feel the effects but they would come. I was discouraged and disheartened and emotionally drained. For me, it took a long time to get the hang of the online platform. When I did, it felt like a real change of seasons. That came around the time I accepted the nomination for President
Harvest season: Out of the dry season, I’ve begun to reap the benefits of my journey. I’ve gained my confidence, slowly but surely. I’m less dependent on people for approval, and realize that my journey and my story are each my own. I do it not for the attention, but to be an inspiration and to be myself. I do appreciate the compliments I receive when I get them though.
Announcements:
The Pumpkin Spice Latte/Fall Treats tour continues later this week as I visit Steep Mountain, another local coffee shop. Groove Coffee Company and Oakmont Bakery and another trip to Giant Eagle to shop for more Fall treats. I’ll also stop at Target and check out their seasonal section. Dates to be determined. Location: Monroeville
In terms of Toastmasters club visits, one is already confirmed and that will be the one in two weeks when I visit the Johnstown club. I’m hoping to attend an online Bakery Square meeting next Friday. In October, I might round out the Columbus Day holiday by visiting Cranberry High Noon. While in the area, I might stop at Convive for another good Fall drink.
Finally, I’m taking the time to think about this exciting opportunity. I might be going to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra in November. I have until Friday to make up my mind and the concert will be in Hershey.
Stylish 🍒 