Hey y’all!
Here’s a continuation of my Toastmasters journey.
My first speech, The Ice Breaker was given a few weeks ago. The following is Speech #2 of the Toastmasters speech series. Objectives: Supporting material, transitions, strong opening and closing statements withing 4-6 minutes. I’d like to share with you my speech which I titled, “Does Size Matter?” Once again, yes, I was nervous, although my husband in the audience said I hid it well. Yes, I even said a phrase backwards, but hey, you just press on through it.
My fellow Toastmasters:
How many of you have dreams? Visions? Goals? Most of you, right?
Some things don’t sit right with me & here is a Pet Peeve:
I have heard time & time again how one has to dream BIG in
Order to achieve something … or be something …
0r change something …
You’ve heard the saying:
IF YOUR DREAMS DON’T SCARE YOU THEY AREN’T BIG ENOUGH!
This is what I’d like to say about that:
I’ve got plenty of dreams, okay?
Your dream may not be mine and I can guarantee
that mine isn’t yours. But a dream is a dream is a dream.
I just don’t buy the line, hook & sinker that dictates:
Your dream doesn’t count; or isn’t as important if it isn’t
“BIG” enough!
No, sir! No, ma’am!
Think what you will – but you can’t look down on my dreams
and say that yours is more important than mine.
My dreams mean everything to me! Who are you to downplay them?
Have you walked in my shoes?
When I wrote “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit & Grace,”
I not only mentioned some of the heartaches that I endured
both as a child & a young adult, but I also mentioned
the good, happy, and contented times. And you know what?
Some people actually frowned upon some of those events I wrote about,
because it seemed insignificant to them.
You see, apparently, my life wasn’t glamorous enough, or special enough.
For example:
1st puppy
1st home cooked meal that I made as a child– chewy pasta/soupy spaghetti sauce
1st taste of French Toast
1st bubble bath
1st Barbie Doll
Going to park/playing on swing set with my real Dad
Living with my grandparents/eating 3-meals a day
Now I ask you: For them to suggest that was it fair?
I’d like to say to them: Hey! I’m tickled pink that you had such a much happier life than mine!
Nonetheless, those were my special & cherished moments and they meant everything to this gal!
You understand – I held on to HOPE. Do you know that a little hope goes a long way?
I embraced faith {show photo} like this picture, having a “mustard seed” type of faith,
Just enough faith to believe that anything is possible!!!
Someone said: Little girls with dreams become women with vision.
And you know what? I AM A DREAM COME TRUE.
We ALL have goals – we ALL dream dreams.
Just don’t try to be like anyone else.
Be true to yourself and follow your heart.
Pursue your passion; pursue your dreams and
Don’t ever quit or stop trying.
Now timing is everything and sometimes it takes baby steps.
But don’t allow anyone to downplay or rob you of your
Dreams … Talents … or Strengths!
Ever.
No matter the size.
So I ask you:
Does Size Matter?
Whoever said the small things don’t matter
has never seen a match start a wildfire.
Thank you!
How did I do? There was a tied – me and the best speaker in this group. How awesome is that?
Remember: You’ll never know the outcome if you don’t put yourself out of your comfort zone and just try.
© M.A. Pérez, 2017, All Rights Reserved
Reflections From the Heart 