All men are NOT created equal!

This past weekend, I went to the 'Hard Rock'!

Now the thought crossed my mind that I should try my hand at the slot machine or at a game of craps, but really I was there for a public speaking competition at the Hard Rock Improv, here in Fort Lauderdale. The idea behind choosing the Improv as the venue was that the organizers wanted to create a professional atmosphere. One of the interesting things about public speaking is how the atmosphere can help to interfere with your confidence. As the main organizer said, 'If we practise speaking in more and more unfamiliar situations the more versatile we can become as speakers'. One of the challenges of speaking at the Improv is that the lights shine directly at you and the stage is small, so you are definitely at the center of attention. Talk about intimidating!

I thoroughly enjoyed the speakers. The competition was divided into 2 sections. First was table topics and then the international speach competition. For table topics, all the contestants are ushered outside expect for the first one. In succession, each is given the same topic, which they did not have prior knowledge of, and are supposed to immediately go into a well thought out 2 -3 min speach. Now that really does take skill. Even a 2 min speach needs to have strong structure, that is a intro, body and conclusion. The topic was 'The most important thing to remember is...'.

Most all of the responses were good, but the one that I will forever remember is 'The most important thing to remember is that all men are NOT created equal'. As an illustration, the speaker said something like,

"I could probably meditate and practise all day but I still wont be able to block Shaq O'neil as he pounds down a dunk on a poor basketball rim. Thats because its not my skill. I'm not equal to Shaq in basketball prowess or physical ability and never will be. However I do have skills he doesnt."

I think this is a very important lesson to remember everyday, it helps us not to envy or try to act out of our character. Its better for us to play the strengths we have and leave our weakness to played by those who have those as strengths.

As the for the speach competition, my favourite speach was probably 'Choose your battles wisely', the speaker ended with this very important thought 'Choose battles big enough to matter, but small enough to win!'

Everytime I go to a Toastmasters event I continue to remember why I joined the club. Its not only because I get the opportunity to practise my public speaking skill, but also because I get to see some of the best speakers do their thing and be inspired in the process!

Fearless!

Fearlessness! I was inspired by speech given at my public speaking club last night. The speaker opened up by saying that 'Toastmasters' is about becoming fearless. Instantly my spirit resonated with that. That is essentially why I joined 'Toastmasters', because I want to become fearless. Fearlessness is not to be confused with unfounded self-confidence or hauthy pride, but by fearless, I really mean bold. By working on my public speaking skills I am becoming bolder and bolder. I can hear it in the way I talk to people, even in the way I play basketball.

This chimes well with the book I am reading nowadays for dailing inspiration, 'Succeed and grow rich through persuasion'. This book is completely staturated with the message of being bold and growing boldness by postive mental talk. Last night, while I was playing basketball, I came face to face with the power of postive thinking. I have long touted myself as a basketball player, but in reality I am not that good. I can sometimes appear to be good because I used practice at length, but alas by myself, which really doesn't count for much. But last night I stepped on the court with alot less fear and the consequence was that I played a much better game. There came a point in the match when I said to myself 'I am going to score the next basket', I was so resolute in my conviction that I did score the next basket. Truly the mind is the source of limitless power. It is through the mind that we acheive fearlessness.