Friendship Toastmasters Club: 3 May 2016 - Inhale Love, Exhale Gratitude

“It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up.” – by Eckhart Tolle

The word “gratitude” comes from the root word gratus(Latin), which means pleasing. One interpretation of gratitude might be that when we are pleased with something or someone, we are grateful. If we look deeper within ourselves, we also might see that when we are feeling grateful, we are pleased with the world around us.

Gratitude reminds us to find our happiness in everything — in exceptional things, in mundane things, in good things, in so-so things and even in terrible things. We can be grateful in both large and small ways. When we are feeling thankful, we can be more receptive to making a difference in our world.

When our hearts are open, forgiveness and gratitude evolve simultaneously, each supporting and nurturing the other. Rather than focusing on the “what might have been more, better, or different,” why not start being grateful for what you have chosen? In these moments, we find our blessings. And because of our blessings, we are grateful for our lives. To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kindness that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you.

For those of you who have watched the popular movie/book "The Secret", you are aware of the Law of Attraction that was portrayed and has been written about prolifically. The Law of Attraction states that whatever you think about or talk about will be drawn into your life. If this is true, thinking about what you are grateful for will draw more of that to you. Start practicing this- Inhale Love, Exhale Gratitude!

The evening was gracefully kicked off by Esten Tan, CC as the Toastmaster of the evening.

Keny Tai reminded the audience to express gratitude to their loved ones, never wait till it is too late (Invocation Session)

Alexandra Lau, ACB, ALB chaired the Table Topics session.

We have 5 table topic speakers to try the thought provoking topics.

Helen - What is the one thing you are most thankful for and why?

Edrea - How did you find love in this world full of hatred and selfishness?

Chee Hoe - If there is no love to inhale, will you exhale gratitude?

Sarah - Love yourself first, or love others first?

June - You received help from a stranger, but you have no chance to thank him What would you do next?

Our first project speaker, Edrea Poh, CC delivered Project #3 The Persuasive Approach (Public Relations Manual)

Title : Join me?

Edrea shared her experience in Toastmasters journey, how Toastmasters have contributed to unlimited personal growth and improve her leadership skills.

"When I do not hold a role, my attendance in club meeting was 50%. When I hold a role, my attendance turns out to be 80%!"

Our second project speaker, Ricky Soo, ACB (MAD TMC) delivered Project #3 The Demonstration Talk (Speaking to inform manual)

Title : My Body Speaks

Ricky shared the 3 techniques in enhancing body language in our speech.

1. Use of timeline

Past - Present - Future

2. Muscle memory

3. Visualization

Our third project speaker, Sylvia Tan, ACB, CL delivered Project #5 Speaking After (The Entertaining Speaker manual)

Title : A night to remember

Sylvia shared her soul-mate searching journey, living an ordinary life by choosing an extraordinary person.

"Imperfect couple but we think we are perfect for one another"