Trains

At our local hobby shop, we saw a flyer for a model-train show. On a whim my son and I drove to the Big E in West Springfield, Mass. to enjoy the train displays and search for bargain priced additions to his model train set. Wow!! We were impressed. We expected a few hundred attendees, at most. Instead we had to wait in line to park and the 4 acres of exhibitions were jam-packed with thousands of model railroad enthusiasts. This is very close to what heaven must be like. Pure bliss for father and son, watching Liliputian scale trains of every size and shape pull freight and passenger to their imaginary destinations.

We were amazed at the volume of trains and the dedication of many men (and few women) who come together regularly to enjoy their hobby. The European Train Enthusiasts - Eastern New England Chapter especially caught my attention because their freight cars are similar to the ones on my train set in South Africa. The couplers are different from the USA models of freight cars and I was instantly transported back 30 years.

The clubs formed by model railroaders got me thinking about Toastmasters and the human desire for affiliation. Model railroaders form clubs and meet regularly to create tracks and scenery for their own pleasure. These clubs do not meet any real need such as providing food or water nor improve employable skills of club members.

Similarly, Toastmasters join clubs to fill a common desire to share our love of public speaking and be with others who enjoy our passion. In contrast, Toastmasters provides training in many skills that benefit the individuals who participate including Public Speaking and Leadership skills.

As you read this blog, if you are not getting the full experience from your club, ask yourself: "Myself am I taking advantage of the leadership and communication opportunities in Toastmasters by volunteering for District officer position or Special Event Coordinator?" What are you waiting for? The opportunity for your growth is available in Toastmasters right now and you are not getting any younger.

PMA For Speakers

PMA stands for Positive Mental Attitude. Speakers need to have PMA to:

1. Visualize presentation success.
2. Radiate Positive Mental energy to your audience.
3. Attract positive situations and success into your life.
4. Look for the silver lining of difficult situations.

Have you ever been attracted to a negative speaker on stage? I doubt it. A speaker who gets in front of you and complains about the weather, his physical health, the inadequacy of his fee, the state of the world and his presentation cannot attract future audiences. No one pays money to share this negativity.

The best speakers implement PMA, every day. Best speakers have energy, are enthusiastic and provide benefits to the audience.

I recently encountered a woman - I will call her Dumpy who stands out because of the NMA (Negative Mental Attitude) she drowns herself in. In Toastmasters we are learning and growing together. Toastmasters are mostly people who have PMA and are bringing good to their audiences through personal stories and humor.

I listened to Dumpy for five minutes (seemed like the Eternity described by Hell-and-Brimstone preachers). Dumpy loudly proclaimed that her employer did not pay her enough money, her desk at work was not suitable for someone with her station in life and the sun shone too brightly.

I believe that Dumpy does not even realize that she is dragging herself into this level of NMA. She is hard to listen to and a drain on her colleagues at the office. I am sure you have met your own version of Dumpy.

On reflection, I wondered why Dumpy shocked me so much. I have come across Dumpy in other people before. Then I realized that I am among Toastmasters with so much PMA that NMA is foreign. This is what makes Dumpy stand out so much - the contrast to most people I interact with each day.

Here is your challenge for today. Are you a Dumpy and not know it? Are you exuding PMA from every pore when you are on the platform? You don't want to hear about a speaker's problems all the time - do you think your audience wants to constantly hear about your adversities? Take some time to reflect - watch some of your recorded speeches. Look for PMA and NMA.


P.S. Dumpy is not a Toastmaster yet. I will report out her reaction when I ask her to attend an Open House at my Toastmaster club this week.

Happy Anniversary

Today is our seventh Anniversary in the USA. We landed after a major snowstorm on Jan 21, 2001 at JFK.

We brought:
- 6 suitcases
- One bag of medicine for my son
- Three backpacks as carry-on luggage
- $400 in cash
- $5,000 of debt to the consulting company that sponsored my H1-B Visa

This was the sum total of our worldly possessions when we landed at JFK to start a fresh live in the USA. No furniture, no cars, no family in the USA.

WOOHOO!! After seven years, my lovely wife and I still agree that coming to the USA was the best decision we could ever have taken. Why are we glad? Because life is good in America today. Click here for my podcast on what is good in America today.

Bottoms up - Here is my toast to a wonderful lifetime in the US of A.
(Remember to drink a soda on my behalf - because I don't drink alcohol)

Now think. What would you bring if you were to leave your home for the chance at a better future in a new country? What would you pack in your suitcases? We brought the essentials - some favorite books, our family photos, and blankets to keep us warm. Little did I know at the time that I also brought stories which I use on the platform to help my audiences thrive in changing times.

What stories are you recording that can help your audiences overcome challenges? Are you capturing your personal photos which will help your audiences in the future?

P.S. Enjoy your family times now. You won't be able to enjoy them if you ever have an ocean between you.