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Tag Archives: Toastmasters
Does Size Matter?
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
Filed under reflection, Toastmasters
The Battle Within
Some of you know that I recently joined Toastmasters. Last Thursday, I was asked to introduce myself by giving my first speech called The Ice Breaker. The objectives are to begin speaking before an audience and to discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention. You only have four to six minutes to present it.
I’d like to share with you my Ice Breaker speech which I titled, “The Battle Within.” Was I nervous? You betcha! Did I stumble? Ah, yeah … but you move on and finish. By the way, I won the best speech of the night. Go figure. You never know the outcome if you don’t put yourself out of your comfort zone and try.
Thank you Mr. Toastmaster.
Hi, I’m Mary Ann. I’m a published author, currently working as an Inside Sales rep for a customer service company in Sugar Land, Texas. I am happily married to my best friend for 22 years, and I have four amazing children and two adorable grandchildren.
I was born in New York and raised in Miami after my parents separated when I was 3, and divorced by the time I was 5.
I lived with my single mother and we were dirt poor. There was no money, no food, and no love. Now, when there’s no money, you don’t have any shoes, and you get a lot of eviction notices. When there’s no food, well, you’re hungry all the time. And when there’s no love, you feel isolated, insecure, and invisible. Being forced to grow up too fast, wearing shoes too big for my feet, and being my mother’s mother, crippled me emotionally.
At an early age, a battle was raging within me and that was the feeling of being “less than.”
Ashamed of my upbringing, heritage, and status, I felt only the ritzy kids went to summer camps, swimming lessons & Girl Scout gatherings, but not me; I was always on the outside looking in.
In my teens, I grew bitter and thought that I could do better than my mother, I eventually ran into the arms of a ruthless man, twice my age. He was an alcoholic, a womanizer, and a brow-beater, ruling with an iron fist. All the while, I struggled with that battle from within called insecurities. I wore a mask to try to cover feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth, which clouded my vision.
He and I eventually did marry. By the time I was 22, I already had my 4th child. I was merely a “baby machine” to him, and he constantly fed my insecurities and never let me forget I stood under his feet. I felt I couldn’t do better, so I stayed in that relationship. I felt trapped but I made the best of my situation for my children’s sake. Long story short, that marriage lasted 15 years. I guess I finally grew up.
In retrospect, it wasn’t until I returned to the God of my grandparents that my mind, past, and emotions were healed. I know now that what I endured yesterday as a child, and as a young adult, made me the stronger woman that I am today.
A few years ago, I decided to write my memoirs for my kids so they would understand some of the history, struggles, and hardships that I, their mother, endured. I wanted them to know that no matter what, our past does not have to dictate our future. And it’s been my present husband who encouraged and supported me all along, telling me, “You know you need to write for other women so that they can be inspired.” He was right on.
Although no longer ashamed of my pain, do you know I constantly fight a battle from within? I DO! I still struggle with low self-esteem. But deep down, I know that I have God on my side now. He not only had given me the grit to come this far, but He also has given me His grace to carry me through every obstacle that I have ever faced! I learned that the battles are not mine but they are His.
In my book, “Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace,” I share the coming-of-age journey of a girl’s refusal to be defined by her environment while seeking inner-healing thru her brokenness. We all have a story. No matter your past, you can still be a person of worth! And it starts with a made-up mind!
I have joined Toastmasters to help me battle from within so that I may gain confidence during book signings, attending book clubs & author’s events in helping me overcome the fear, the insecurities & the nerves when it’s time to open my mouth. You see, it’s one thing to write a book, it’s quite another to be able to stand, look folk in the eye, and speak to them. I know I have something to say and I am here to learn how to say it well.
Thank you.
Filed under The Ice Breaker, Toastmasters
Reflections From the Heart 