Fall, for me, has always been a time of new beginnings. The first of September is more apt to be a time I set goals than the traditional January date. Even if I don’t put pen to paper, I generally have something I want to accomplish in the next few months.
Some years I’ve managed to reinvent myself completely. One of them was 1985, that year I learned to drive, joined Toastmasters and finished a business management certificate. All of those accomplishments have stood me in good stead. In fact, without them, I never would have made the masthead of Coast Reporter.
In 2003 the remaining piece of the newspaper puzzle fell into place when I joined the student body of Langara College’s journalism program. As a “mature” student, it was a challenge in more ways than one. Although the biggest hurdle wasn’t being the oldest in the class, it certainly played a part. Mostly because my seasoned brain had to keep up with ones that were 20 years newer than mine. Overall, with few exceptions, it was a positive experience. My biggest complaint was probably the people who played and partied instead of applying themselves. It was difficult to suppress the mother in me that wanted to introduce my foot to a curved part of their anatomy.
This year I’m putting a lot of my effort into my old friend – the Toastmasters program. It’s a way to meet new people and continue to shake up the grey cells. I like what the organization has to offer. Dollar for dollar, it’s the best self-improvement group in existence, in my opinion. Where else can you learn to speak in public, assume important leadership roles and polish teamwork for the average cost of $200 a year?
Early in the next year, the educational aspect of Toastmasters is slated to introduce some major changes. I’m excited about that. While on the one hand I’m firmly in the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” camp, I realize not everyone thinks the way I do. I have faith that the new will enhance everything wonderful about the old.
All told, what it’s come down to is I love words; whether it’s reading them, writing them or listening to someone else speak them. And the goal to enjoy new ones will never change.
