Looking Glass

I completed my third speech at my Toastmaster's meeting this evening. The goal of this speech was to inspire. I invited the audience to feel comfortable with writing in a journal, feeling confident in rereading their personal book and accepting those thoughts and feelings as a form of therapy, much like my counselor explained to me. I did pull blog posts and pretended they were journal entries. I was more nervous with this speech than my first, the "Icebreaker". I imagine it is due to sharing inner feelings to the group. I was selective on my "entry" choices and kept my voice at a steady pace. I did not belittle the x at all...he and his title were barely referenced.(smile here). The speech was well received and many people shared compliments and notes of improvement for next time. A few people shared how touched they were. I can rest easy now that I completed this project and am looking forward to #4. I am finding myself busy with Vice Pres of PR duties, and ...

This has been a very boring week. I have been on vacation from work and quite often, found myself rattling around the house with not much to do. I have revised my Toastmaster's speech and sent it to my mentor for critiquing. I am waiting for his suggestions. I have gone for a few walks as the rain has dissipated and the sun came out for a few days. I did not end up going to a Halloween party as I intended, my girlfriend couldn't make it. I was going to go alone, but...I accomplished some reading and some cleaning projects and have spent too much time tinkering on the computer. We all know what that means...at least the x is in Oregon heading to California. He has one or two gigs per week lined up down there and will be gone until the end of December. It appears "she" is traveling with him, at least for now. Reminding myself, I divorced him for a reason. Whew! I need to quit being curious and checking on his whereabouts. I am surprised I still check, though I know it...

I have been deliberating recently about the content and delivery of my next speech to be presented at the Toastmasters meeting in a couple of weeks. The point of the speech is to inform or inspire enough that your audience will take action. I have been debating about trying to inspire my audience to write either a journal, a blog, or just keeping a notebook of their inner thoughts and feelings, as a tool for personal therapy or relaxation. Remember, my counselor even said this was great therapy. I am interested in this as I have been writing my blog this year, such a pivotal year, and have felt release of many emotions in doing so. I do not want to share with the club however, that I actually have a blog. I will refer to my postings, simply as entries. I have decided to pull some excerpts from some of the postings, (entries) as a way to tell my story this year. I will try to have some chronological order and end my speech in stating, "writing has been a release and personal thera...

I am thoroughly enjoying the Toastmasters club I have joined. They are positive people and a warm atmosphere surrounds them. They recently voted me to be Vice President of Public Relations. I was a bit stammered in reading some of the roles expected, but I know I have accomplished leaders to question when needed. I am looking forward to having some tasks to help inform the club of events & information. They want to maintain their "distinguished" status. There is a criteria to meet to maintain that, so I am trying to learn those steps. Last Saturday I attended a district, breakfast conference and met many, many area Toastmasters from surrounding clubs. What fun! Then Monday night, I attended a district speech competition, of which two of our members competed. One moved on, as he took second place in Table Topics, an off the cuff question and answer segment. Our other member placed third in the Humorous Speech contest, so she did not "place" to move to the next co...

At the end of my last post, I noted I may post a "Second Look", referring to the x and the new woman on his arm and the way it appears to have come about in a disrespectful amount of time since our separation. I have decided against that. A few of my friends have stated that the karmas of the universe will get him. I recently had to meet new clients, in my little town, of which I moved from in April. After my work day was done, I met with a couple of friends for a visit and was secretly happy to hear, many people in that little community, felt the x had dropped many a ball as CEO of the little chamber of commerce. They felt, also, that he became too self focused and arrogant. They reminded me, "everybody respects you and loves you." (smile here). So, I have decided, rather than to continue to bore my blogger friends with further postings of my divorce and "his" so called new career, even though he's still camped out in the southern part of the state, ...

As I sat on my balcony this evening, feeling the cool air slowly seep under my fingernails and chill the hands, I had a sigh escape my stomach, much like the wind escaping the trees. I was feeling my energy withering like the golden, colored leaves that were dangling from the twisted, pointy limbs of the old trees. I had a settling within. A realization that change has occurred with the new season. This acceptance is as real as the cooled air around me. It is as real as knowing winter will be advancing in it's sneaky, quiet way. I can only change clothing to warm me. Glance Back: My friend that is moving out of state decided she wanted to go to a local festival last Saturday, as she was hitting the road on Monday. We planned to go to the festival and then meet two other girlfriends for a dinner gathering at my dear friend's house. My traveling friend and I were having a perfectly nice time walking the booths, participating in a few wine tasting samples and then, ended our f...

As I sit, once again, pondering life and thoughts, on my cute, little balcony overlooking some hefty trees and grass, I think of my friends' lives as well as my own. My one dear friend has accepted a job on the east side of the United States, another is facing health challenges, (far worse than my high blood pressure...sigh here), and another, dear friend is recently unemployed. In keeping with my blogger friend, kden, "WTH" is going on here? "At least I have a job, at least I have a job, at least I have a job." "At least I have my health, at least I have my health, at least I have my health." Is this what I want to say to myself? Day in, day out? Is this what I want my friends to settle for? "No, No, No." If I were to stay true to myself in an attempt to maintain some of my characteristics, I would help these friends as much as possible. I am trying and offering. I will handle the upcoming circumstances in my life with fore thought and bal...