Communication: Something to Value

Some have asked about the speeches I give. The following is an example of one of my speeches. I was thrilled to be able to present it to the NEW Toastmasters Group which met at Touchmark in Appleton today. If you would prefer to watch it, I can send you a link if you send me a message. I did record it today.

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Good afternoon, fellow Toastmasters! I am very thankful that you have allowed me to come in to speak with you today! Since it is my first time meeting with you, I decided that I would like to share the most impactful time of my life with you. To some extent, it is about the power of communication. All too often, I think that it is something that we take for granted. And sometimes, it is something we use before we think about what we are really saying.

For example: I was out and about one day. I saw a sign that read, "Ears pierced while you wait." Really?!!! I didn't think that I was going to just drop them off!

A friend of mine was offended when she received a letter in her mail. It wasn't so much the letter that offended her, as it was the line that read, "Please keep your private area clean." YIKES! I could not believe my ears! Even I was offended for her…until she laughed and told me that it was a newsletter from the condominium association. It was referring to their private property.

Laughter is powerful. It raises the spirits and keeps a person sane. Sometimes it is all we have to carry us through. November 5, 2009 was a beautiful day! It was sunny and seasonably warm. My 5 year old niece was staying with me for a few days. We had a great time throughout the day. We giggled, laughed, and played like only 5 year olds know how to do. She kept me busy until I was scheduled to teach piano after school got out. That is what I was doing when the phone rang.

I don't typically answer my house phone while I am teaching. However, my teenage daughters went to Appleton after school that day. When the phone rang, I excused myself. 45 minutes later, I found myself at Theda Clark's Emergency Room. I was taken to my daughter's room where I found her still covered in blood. She was scared. I was scared. I'm sure my niece was scared! I was relieved though. Blood covered or not, she appeared to be fine. But where was her sister? Where is Becca?

When police call to alert family of an accident, they don't share any details. I had no idea if Becca was alive or dead! Similarly, when doctors talk to you, they don't share everything. They share only what you need to know at that moment.

Time passed about as fast as time can pass when you are in that situation. Doctors, nurses, and police came in and out of the room. When we were taken to see the girls' friend Morgan who was also in the accident, I felt horrible when I saw her swollen, black & blue face. She had a shattered eye socket and a broken clavicle. As terrible as I felt for her, I knew she would be OK. I still needed to know about Becca. Is she okay?

At last, we were taken back to a room to talk to the doctor's in charge of my other daughter's case. I was shocked by all the people that filed into the room. By this time most of our family had arrived and were there to hear the same news we were. …The doctors finally told us Becca was alive! They had her stabilized, but had no idea what the outcome would be. Day upon endless day passed, stresses high.

An entire month passed before we left the intensive care unit. At last, the day came to remove her trach. Can you imagine going a whole month without hearing your daughter's voice? or being able to communicate with her at all? Knowing she could only say a couple sentences, her first words came out sounding a bit like ET as she asked, "When can I go home?" and were followed by a whimper. Heart-wrenching as her words were, they were music to my soul! I finally got to hear her voice again!

Her prognosis had been fairly bleak. MRIs showed that her brain looked as though she has been shot at close range by a shotgun. She spent 55 days at the hospital. Today, I rejoice in the power of prayer and the healing power of God. Becca has far surpassed all of what doctors projected. If you met her today, you may not know anything is wrong with her. She does have lingering effects from the traumatic brain injury and from the other trauma she sustained, but we continue to see healing and hope that someday she will live life close to what we, as society, say is normal.

We don’t realize the impact that words have on other people - or how much we appreciate the communication we have with one another until we lose it. I have been blessed to see the relationship between the three girls grow immensely. They are now the best of friends. I cherish their laughter every day!

I encourage you to choose your words wisely. It's fun to laugh at poorly worded sentences, but it is especially important to communicate well with those you work and live with. You've heard it said, "Live each day as if it is your last." The same idea may  be said about your words. Cherish your life and the people in it. May your words encourage as well as show love and respect for those around you. 

Jumpin' In!

Beginning a new adventure seems to have a way of dragging some baggage along with it. Thoughts race through our minds. Excitement builds but so does that little piece of nervous tension. All of your senses seem to perk up a bit at the mere thought of a new experience. Our hearts may pound, depending upon the level of anticipation or stimulation. We are often held back from "jumping in" with both feet. But aren't all of those feelings part of what makes life great?

Today, I am filled with excitement. I have the opportunity to join a Toastmasters group.  I have been waiting for a long time for this opportunity. Now that it is here, I find my mind racing. I wonder if I will know anyone. I'm assuming that they will (for the most part) be outgoing people that welcome me into the group. But don't we all have that underlying fear of, "What if…"? I'm curious to know if they are going to ask me to speak in front of the group on the first night. (For the record, I would be thrilled!)Jumping right in would be an immediate adrenalin rush - as long it is something other than answering the basic request of who I am. I've done enough research on the group to know that one of the first requirements is to give a five to seven minute speech on who you are. Piece of cake, right? I'd say yes! But the adrenalin rush would come from not expecting the opportunity, not knowing the people at all, and certainly standing up there wondering what is going through their heads! (No visualizing people in underwear for this girl!)

Toastmasters International has been around since 1924. They are known as a world leader in communication and leadership development. With each track, there are specific guidelines and goals you must meet to obtain various awards of recognition. Toastmasters embrace four core values - integrity, dedication to excellence, service to the member and respect for the individual. The individuals I have spoken with have definitely embraced these values and seem to be very encouraging.

Why share the excitement when I haven't even been to a meeting? Like anything we do in life, we need to be driven. I think that I am driven to achieve my goals with Toastmasters, but just in case I'm not driven enough on my own, I know that I can trust you to keep me accountable. I foresee friends asking me about the meetings and how I am doing with meeting my goals. I'm also sharing because I believe that this can be another of my life's defining adventures. I want to share it with you and I hope that you will see continued personal growth as I do.

I leave you with the first verse and refrain of a song that has been speaking to my heart this week. It is called "The Greatness of Our God", by Hillsong.

Verse 1:
Give me eyes to see
More of who You are
May what I behold,
still my anxious heart.
Take what I have known
And break it all apart
For You my God, are greater still.

CHORUS
No sky contains,
No doubt restrains,
All You are,
The greatness of our God.
I spend my life to know,
And I'm far from close
To all You are,
The greatness of our God.

I pray that God will use all of our life's adventures - mine and yours - to show us more of who He is. I pray we discover His grace new each day, humble ourselves and begin to realize deeper still the greatness of our God. As you make these discoveries in your own life, please feel free to share them with all of us. It's always encouraging to hear one another's stories!

The Adventure Begins!

Setting out on a new adventure is always exciting. This week I have decided to embrace life again and dive in to a new and exciting journey, beginning with this blog. Although shy growing up, you would never know it now. I have become a person who loves to spend time with people, often times sharing and finding compassion in my heart towards them. Communication is something that I have always had a passion for. Whether writing, speaking, singing, acting, or simply enjoying time with family and friends, I love to share life. It is through these moments that we find life's defining adventures.

As a new blogger, I'm sure the question of who I am will come up. I've read that establishing credibility is important. Just the mere question of who I am sends my mind off in a thousand directions. How do we truly define who anyone is? Is it because of their accomplishments? education? employment? family? I'm sure you understand exactly what I am saying! You are reading a blog on the internet. I could be anyone, anywhere. As someone on the internet, I am simply a personality that you will come to know. There is a picture of me here on my blog. But it is essentially just that - a picture. Only those who have or will meet me will know that I am who I say I am. But just in case you wonder, I am genuine. I do not wish to hide from you. And I legitimately care if you decide to post on my comment section. I have invited you to join me in this adventure and meant it with sincerity.

All things considered, I will share some of my personal life with you. I have been a part of the mid-west my entire life. And although I would absolutely love to move to a climate that doesn't get as cold as it does here in Wisconsin, I don't see that happening anytime in the near future. I am happily married with two daughters, age 17 and 19. I find that difficult to believe because it seems like it really wasn't that long ago that I was 19!

As any mother could tell you, it seems that it is our children that define us while they are home. I don't believe that to be completely true, but it does seem as though others think that. How many of you moms walk out the door with a friend or on a date and don't talk about your children? I think I have a permanent engraving on my forehead that I cannot see, but tells others to ask about my daughters. I really think that it is simply considered a "safe" subject, but agree that it provides for some interesting conversation!

As a family, we are all very social and enjoy the arts. My husband is a fantastic watercolor artist. He enjoys playing the guitar and mandolin. Occasionally, he also enjoys working on his Triumph TR6. Rebecca is known for her fun spirit. She loves to sing and once in a blue moon, she will dabble on the piano. When people ask about Rebecca now, they tend to ask how she continues to recover following a near fatal car accident she was involved in back in 2009. You might read more about that in future posts. Hannah is my gifted pianist. She plays beautifully and I will certainly miss that when she leaves for college! She is also known as being funny, possibly even class clown! (That was a surprise to me…I always thought that Becca was the class clown when I had group piano lessons and recitals in our home.) I have taught piano and coached vocal lessons  for almost 21 years. My favorite past times include being involved with a local group that brings Christian speakers into our schools and playing the role of Sister Amnesia in the musical "Nunsense".

What am I doing here? I am here to explore - to learn what the world of blogging is all about - to challenge myself to rise to new heights - and to continue to grow in my writing skills. I would love to use this as a place to encourage others, to tell stories, and to explore my ability to write in different styles. I am here to learn more about life's defining adventures. Please continue with me as I explore. Share your thoughts and experiences. Offer challenges to me. And while I have the opportunity, allow me to personally welcome you aboard this epic journey to only God knows where!