If someone asked if you were a transformer, what would you say?
I would submit to you that you’re a transformer! Being a Toastmaster requires each of us to transform ourselves into a better version. As you continue to bring your best self to the world, you turn up your internal controls. As you cultivate your best self into a better speaker, coach, leader, or person, I’m sure you realize that something is continuing to provide a spark for you.
My spark each week is seeing the goodness of others shared with me.
Recently, I was reminded about life when I filed my taxes for the year. We all hear two things in life which are constant, paying taxes and death.
Ben Franklin said it this way “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
We do specific things in life that bring us joy, happiness, and satisfaction. As you continue to be a transformer in your way, what opportunities in life have changed you?
One of the speeches I gave this year was called NEXUS. Because I’m honored to be one of a few Army-trained Starfish graduates trained in specific principles, I learned the word NEXUS over ten years ago when I went through my Starfish Training. An honor being personally taught by the Author of the “Starfish and the Spider” Ori Brafman.
If you haven’t read the Nexus: Small Worlds and the Groundbreaking Theory of Networks, written by Mark Buchanan, I encourage you to read it.
In short, it’s about concepts that include a small-world network, degrees of separation, strong and weak ties, and a tipping point.
As each of you continues to transform or become transformers, it requires networking. Every day we are making connections. We are crossing paths of those we have yet to meet. We are all speaking a Universal Language. Finally, Toastmasters helps serves us well in all our ventures.
As a Toastmaster, I wish you continue your journey and think about all the opportunities through the connections and experiences based on your decisions to be a Toastmaster.
“It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”
John Joseph Powell, The Secret of Staying in Love
Until the next time be well!
McKinley Curtis III
President, VA Voices 651363
