Growing


 Contest day arrived bright and early on a Saturday morning.  The briefing for participants was at 8:15.  At 9:00 the call to assemble was given and the event was in full swing. A special test speaker spoke first and the test evaluators observed and listened intently as they had just minutes to prepare their evaluation speeches.  The 4 evaluation contestants impressed me with their ability to put their thoughts together in an instructive and meaningful way.  I  was motivated by their skill at such a challenging task.  Perhaps I'll attempt that contest in the future, after all I am interesting in growing.

The meeting room was very cold.  I wasn't the only one that was chilled.  An extra layer was definitely needed!  My chills weren't nerve driven entirely.  During the briefing all of us being tested had been instructed to stand on a pink "X" marked on the carpet with tape just prior to being called to the front.  Staring at the "X" I thought that it looked like an emergency helicopter take off pad......Oh, if only I could have been taken away!

A friend had told me to mentally turn my nervousness into excitement.... excitement to share my story, excitement to present what I had practiced and prepared for.  My speech went well, I thought.  I remembered most of what I wanted to say and I could see that the audience was engaged.  I incorporated the gestures and expressiveness that the story itself demanded.  After I sat back down, THEN the nerves took over and I literally shook for 15 minutes!

Before noon the awards were given out for the Area 1 & 2 speakers for the evaluation segment and for the international contestant segment (which I was a part of).  Out of the 3 speakers from my Area 1, I came in second place.  All of the speakers were very good.  The winners from both Area 1 & 2 had  creative talks with plenty of humor and seriousness combined.  I could see why they won for each winner had a take away lesson of perseverance and preparation told in a delightful way.  They shared a principle that could directly translate over to the toastmaster goal of GROWTH. 

Area 3 & 4 competed after lunch.  Since the morning had been fascinating I stayed for the afternoon too.  The speakers were phenomenal.  Driving home, at the close of it all, I reflected on all that I'd heard and seen.  Speakers had crafted words and emotion into art for the soul in the telling of personal stories and insights.  Wisdom had been gifted and growth was the result.

 

 

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