Wise words from Michael

I travelled in some rush hour traffic this morning, listening to Michael Buble's song "you are not alone..... I'm always there with you...." and that was when I suddenly realised how much I miss all of you. I missed the last meeting and suddenly the month is too long before we get to the next meeting date ! So many times in life, all we need is someone to say to us : I'm always there with you. And that is the magic of Toastmasters and my wish is for it to be no different at Protea TC over all the years to come. A massive family connection although we are not related, friends forever and mostly assistance when you most need it. As Toastmasters who have been around for a while we sometimes forget what it is like for a newly joined member to prepare for that first time when they have to walk up to the lectern and start with ..Toastmaster of the Evening, fellow Toastmasters, visitors, my name is ... and the title of my first prepared speech is.... What a daunting and almost impossible task if it was not for the fact that YOU ARE NOT ALONE, We'll always be there with you. As the first time speaker you forget that your mentor is in the audience and possibly just as nervous as you, but certainly just as proud as you are after you've returned control to the TME and you return to your seat.

Most places in life people get to the top by pushing others down, but Toastmasters want others in their club to succeed just as much as they want to succeed themselves which is why we are always ready to help anyone else in the club improve themselves. Life is all about a Helping Hand. And that my friends is the reason why You are Never alone in this organisation or in our club. Why do we want to become better/excellent public speakers? A little bit like climbing Everest, for some of us? Because it's there, because we want to show that we can, whatever your reason, it is a lot easier knowing that You are Not Alone in all of this.

It was so very special to have (Protea TC member) Pauline Li attend the last 2 meetings when she visited SA recently. Pauline phoned me yesterday while she waited at Jbrg airport for her flight to Canada and her last words were that she will follow our comments and progress on Protea TC website. No matter where you are , you are never alone. Thanks to Colin for the many hours that went into creating this website, it is already adding value to our lives.

Come to think of it, those words would have made an excelllent President's vision/motto for the club for this coming year!

Look after one another.
See you soon.
Regards
derek

Ps. Spare a thought for Dries, his laptop was stolen off his desk last week. I know exactly what you're going through, my friend!