In time of doom and gloom it is important to cultivate a sense of hope. The power of hope allows us to pull through just about any kind of dark demanding time. In the extreme, it can mean the difference between life and death.
Hope is a learnable practice. Here are thoughts that offer insight on the subject:
1. Surrender
This is the remarkable ability to go with the flow without expecting a predetermined outcome. It is a willingness to let events unfold in their time- not our time.
2. Vision
When hope is fading, it is easy to think negatively. Work to keep the bleak aspects of your life in perspective. Rather than saying to yourself ‘ My world is falling apart’ try saying and thinking to yourself-‘ This is a very difficult time for me, but I will take on the challenge and see it through.’
Consider what steps you need to take in order to strengthen yourself for these challenges. Do not be afraid to seek help from family and friends or alternatively experts in order to guide you through this difficult time.
3. Persistence
This is the determination to keep moving forward no matter what happens. Life rewards those who are persistent.
4. Humor
No matter how difficult and complex your circumstances may become work to retain a sense of humor.
5. Present Time
Live in the present tense, not the past tense nor the future tense. Health, happiness and hope emerge when we live in the present moment. Learn from the past but do not limit hope by constantly reliving unhappy yesterdays or fearing the future.
Whether a challenge is personal, financial, business related or all three… the aforementioned thoughts and the wisdom they carry can save lives. One must not forget that others have survived seemingly impossible situations in the past. The first step, for all, was a sense of hope.
As Eric Aronson once said-
‘Things may not seem to be working out for me right now, but I know that I will make the best of the situation. I know that I will do everything that I can, one day at a time….I will not worry but rather look at what I am going through as a challenge: a time to develop patience and self confidence and realise that I can change my attitude even if I cannot change my circumstances. I am a survivor. I am going to handle this. I am going to find strength I did not know I had.’
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
‘We did it once’
Speak Easy Toastmasters meeting on November 25th 2010 was another in which guests and members enjoyed themselves.
Joining President Margaret O’ Regan at the top table was Sean Corcoran, Toastmaster who chaired the meeting and Michael Cronin who was Topicsmaster.
First to the lectern was Bridget Breen with a speech entitled ‘Goal Setting’. Bridget informed the group that goal setting does work. If one believes in it, write it down and it will happen. The only thing that will stop one from achieving ones goals is oneself. She advised the group to make a habit out of setting goals
Following Bridget was David Clarke with his icebreaker entitled The E Mathematician. David’s ice breaker speech provided the group with details on the significant areas of his life in a chronological order. It was very entertaining speech peppered with humor. A night which includes an icebreaker speech (the first speech a member gives to the group) is always an exciting the night for a Toastmaster Club.
Next it was the turn of Claire O’ Connell with her imaginative, entertaining thought provoking speech entitled ‘The Death of a Picnic’. She commenced her speech by setting out the origins of the picnic, continued with where the word picnic originated from and how it was the central part of family life and concluded by informing the group that life is not a picnic anymore.
Claire was following by Mary Moynihan with her humorous speech entitled ‘Driving Test Blues’. Mary relayed to the group her niece’s experience of learning to driving as well as giving a detailed account of her niece’s actual driving test. Mary’s advice to her niece is to practice, practice before she re-sits the test.
Finally it was the turn of Pat Duggan with his speech entitled ‘We did it once’. Pat gave a thought provoking speech regarding the suicide epidemic taking place in Ireland at present. At one stage Finland had a similar problem to Ireland regarding suicide but the situation has been alleviated there as a result of the Government taking the decision to provide funds for better research, better education as well as increasing support for people at risk. Pat concluded on a positive note- ‘we did it once with deaths on the road, I believe we can do it again.’
The topic session for the evening was conducted by Topicsmaster Michael Cronin. Michael’s topics were both varied and topical and caused great amusement.
Timekeeper Bill Martin reminded speakers/people contributing to topics when their allocated times were up while grammarian/ah counter Loretto Barry gave feedback at the end of the meeting on how the group performed regarding the use of ‘crutch words’ and ‘fillers’ e.g. um’s and ah’s. She encouraged the use of the word ‘ perspicuity’ which means clearly expressed, easily understood throughout the meeting.
Joe Hassett, conducted the General Evaluation Session and conducted the part of the meeting in which speakers received feedback from their assigned evaluators who were Bridie O’ Connell, Jerry Mulcahy, Ray Ryan, Margaret O’ Regan and Marie Fitzpatrick. The Sergeant at Arms for the meeting was Jerry Mulcahy.
Speak Easy Toastmasters will hold their next meeting at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, December 9th at 7:50PM. Non-members are more than welcome to attend and will not be asked to speak. Further details about the Club are available on our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com
Joining President Margaret O’ Regan at the top table was Sean Corcoran, Toastmaster who chaired the meeting and Michael Cronin who was Topicsmaster.
First to the lectern was Bridget Breen with a speech entitled ‘Goal Setting’. Bridget informed the group that goal setting does work. If one believes in it, write it down and it will happen. The only thing that will stop one from achieving ones goals is oneself. She advised the group to make a habit out of setting goals
Following Bridget was David Clarke with his icebreaker entitled The E Mathematician. David’s ice breaker speech provided the group with details on the significant areas of his life in a chronological order. It was very entertaining speech peppered with humor. A night which includes an icebreaker speech (the first speech a member gives to the group) is always an exciting the night for a Toastmaster Club.
Next it was the turn of Claire O’ Connell with her imaginative, entertaining thought provoking speech entitled ‘The Death of a Picnic’. She commenced her speech by setting out the origins of the picnic, continued with where the word picnic originated from and how it was the central part of family life and concluded by informing the group that life is not a picnic anymore.
Claire was following by Mary Moynihan with her humorous speech entitled ‘Driving Test Blues’. Mary relayed to the group her niece’s experience of learning to driving as well as giving a detailed account of her niece’s actual driving test. Mary’s advice to her niece is to practice, practice before she re-sits the test.
Finally it was the turn of Pat Duggan with his speech entitled ‘We did it once’. Pat gave a thought provoking speech regarding the suicide epidemic taking place in Ireland at present. At one stage Finland had a similar problem to Ireland regarding suicide but the situation has been alleviated there as a result of the Government taking the decision to provide funds for better research, better education as well as increasing support for people at risk. Pat concluded on a positive note- ‘we did it once with deaths on the road, I believe we can do it again.’
The topic session for the evening was conducted by Topicsmaster Michael Cronin. Michael’s topics were both varied and topical and caused great amusement.
Timekeeper Bill Martin reminded speakers/people contributing to topics when their allocated times were up while grammarian/ah counter Loretto Barry gave feedback at the end of the meeting on how the group performed regarding the use of ‘crutch words’ and ‘fillers’ e.g. um’s and ah’s. She encouraged the use of the word ‘ perspicuity’ which means clearly expressed, easily understood throughout the meeting.
Joe Hassett, conducted the General Evaluation Session and conducted the part of the meeting in which speakers received feedback from their assigned evaluators who were Bridie O’ Connell, Jerry Mulcahy, Ray Ryan, Margaret O’ Regan and Marie Fitzpatrick. The Sergeant at Arms for the meeting was Jerry Mulcahy.
Speak Easy Toastmasters will hold their next meeting at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, December 9th at 7:50PM. Non-members are more than welcome to attend and will not be asked to speak. Further details about the Club are available on our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com
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