Knock Your Elbows Together and Truly Celebrate

There is something powerful and endlessly beautiful about celebration. The type of celebration where you need to take off your shoes to dance, where your elbows are knocking against each other because you just can't contain yourself. We need to engage in that type of celebration, once in a while.

Here above, my daughter's teacher's wedding, May 2024.   

My daughter's teachers and administrators are generally outgoing, caring, generous and empathetic. That is one of the reasons why I decided to spend my entire Saturday at one of her teacher's wedding. Amongst her friends, my daughter was also one of the ushers. Over a dozen students signed up to usher for their dear teacher.

I have attended many weddings, and served as well. It may have been because I have not been out for a wild party in a while, or at many events, the time for dancing or getting to know one another is so miniscule, that our elbows hardly knock each other.

At my daughter's teacher's wedding, there was knocking of elbows. Shoes were flung across the green. Wigs and weaves could not withstand the frenzy and the music created little mounds of earth, with its heavy beats.

I marvelled at the newly-weds. I watched the guests and their enthusiastic welcome. It was truly breathtaking. How much joy can one take at one go!

I want to be part of more celebrations like this, where we knock our elbows together and weaves fall off because they just can't withstand the frenzy.

Bless!

Beverley

 

The Mighty Warriors of Toastmasters

We need to take a moment and acknowledge the Mighty Warriors in Toastmasters. The week of 9-12 May 2024, the annual East Africa Toastmasters Conference is took place in Mombasa and on the night of 10 May, District elections were held.

I congratulate each and every elected leader and I trust that your acumen will lead us to a worthy position as individuals, and collectively.

I would like to give special mention to the newly elected Trio, District Director Robert Karanja a Distinguished Toastmaster, Demelash Wondimagegn the Programme Quality Director and Distinguished Toastmaster Margaret Njoroge, the Club Growth Director. Knowing each of them, their capability to lead the District is already established.

Congratulations and appreciation to the District leadership of 2023-2024, who enabled us to sail through this year with clearer understanding of our goals as a District. The year has been characterised by a lot of flavour and opportunities for the members to harness their strength.

Demelash Wondimagegn.

Demelash, whom I have only known for only a year, has made me highly appreciate the sublime nature of leadership styles. As a writer, I  am always looking for notable places to send my articles or essays and when Demelash was leader of all the Toastmasters Clubs in Ethiopia and a few in other countries, as Division Director, his was the only one that had a consistent regular newsletter. I submitted an article there.

Furthermore, he invited me to speak during one of their monthly sessions where various speakers deliver on topical issues for example, 'Understanding Leadership, and so on. It was here that I saw how important it was to be inclusive and always celebrate others who have excelled. His genuine empathy and ability to ensure that the tasks are distributed evenly so that as many capable people as possible are recognised for their good work and as many people as possible are given the opportunity to apply themselves, which is what Toastmasters is about.

It is so easy to be caught up in the accolades of self-aggrandisement and forget that in Toastmasters, we learn by working in teams and we learn from the power of community. The strongest person is frail, if they work alone. Demelash exemplifies community leadership and I know that the entire District looks forward to his exemplary style.

Congratulations to the entire Trio. Robert Karanja has already proven himself a notable leader. Margaret Njoroge is steadfast and committed and her strategic ability has been a blessing to the District.

2024-2025 is a time for something new.

Beverley N Nsengiyunva

Distinguished Toastmaster

What do you really want?

 Do we really know what we want in life?

My children always ask for what they want. They know that when they ask, the probability of them receiving it, increases by 50%. When I say no, and they are aware that it is within my capability if providing it (not a helicopter for a school event of course), then they persist. More often than not. I give it to them.

Why do I do this? It is because I know that what they are asking for is important to them and it will actually be useful for them in that moment or in the near future. And also, it is because I am able to give it to them. I also enjoy watching them learn the power of persistence.

There is a difference between whining and persistence. When they whine, I address the whining as a parent. When they request and persist, I will address that and when able, give it to them. I am proud that they are growing up not to be fearful of what they want.

I am proud that they are aware of what they want and able to explain to me why it is important that they have it. I am glad that their father and I are able to discuss it together.

Many of us, as adults, do not know what we want. It may be because growing up, whenever we asked, we were not given. It may be because we grew up with limited resources and when we asked our parents, we were reminded that money does not grow on trees.

Unfortunately, this may also affect the way we negotiate contracts at work. We feel unworthy of asking for a salary raise. We feel unworthy of negotiating better working conditions. We accept the bare minimum and because of that, we are treated with minimal respect even when we do our best and outperform others.

Ask for what you want. Do not whine. Just ask. Persist. Request politely. Negotiate. Speak maturely. Address your concerns with facts.

According to the Daily Mail, Before they won a $2.76 million lottery jackpot in 2005, Lara and Roger Griffiths, of England, reportedly never argued. After winning it, they lived lavishly before their house caught fire. Lara also suspected her husband of cheating on her and that ended their 14-year marriage.

The lottery win is not to blame for this. When you ask for what you want, be prepared for what will happen when you get it.

In another story, William "Bud" Post won $16.2 million in the Pennsylvania lottery in 1988, but he was $1 million in debt within a year. His former girlfriend successfully sued him and his brother allegedly put a hit out on him. Before his death, Bud said he was happier when he was broke.

The lottery win is not to blame. When you ask for something, be prepared for it. When you get what you ask for, do you really know how to handle it?

Keep on asking for what you want and more importantly, be prepared to know what to do with it, once it arrives.

Bless!

Beverley N N 

Feed Yourself Before You Feed Others

 Just like a plant needs sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to flourish, you too need enough food to flourish, as a speaker. And you need to the right type of food.

What food do you take, before you speak? Water is necessary and so is fruit, because the natural sugars will provide the right energy.

How about a positive mindset? Get rid of what makes you angry, or what triggers your deepest fear and when you are on stage with the audience, provide them with the correct light, air and water that they need.

They rely on you to provide the right food and if you have not fed yourself well, how then will you feed others?

As speakers, we must take care of ourselves. If you are an emcee, a moderator, a news anchor or presenter, take care of yourself so that once you are well fed, you are then able to feed others, who rely on you.

Bless!

Beverley N Nsengiyunva