THE TOASTMASTER MAGAZINE

By Shirley M. Carolan, ATM-G

This may sound like a pitch for Toastmasters International and that’s OK with me. I’ve been a member of this prestigious organization since 1981, having joined in the San Francisco Bay Area. Folks, that’s 29 years of wonderful association and it has been one of two constants in my life since that time. It has been both a lifesaver and a catalyst for personal and professional growth!

Today, instead of just promoting this organization I’d like to express my deep gratitude for its wonderful, glossy, informative magazine. I believe this magazine is the unsung hero of our membership even today! I think Forbes, Smithsonian, Entrepreneur would envy its world-wide distribution and readership.

But don’t just take my word for it. Please visit the Toastmaster’s International HQ in Rancho Santa Margarita. Guided tours are available daily from 9-4 PM. More information is available at: www.toastmaster.org. or (949-858-8255). When I took my family for a visit they were amazed at the plethora of information and help there. I was both overjoyed and overcome when I saw our beautiful glossy magazine neatly stacked for shipment to countries all over the world, (106 countries to be exact) in Spanish, French, English, German, Italian, Japanese! It was an awesome sight and I felt proud to be associated not only with a wonderful organization, but also this wonderful magazine.

Whether you aspire to become a professional speaker, or are a manager, supervising others, in sales or marketing, “The Toastmaster” magazine has worthy information in each issue that will benefit your professional and personal life! It keeps up with the latest in technology, trends, and language.

Members seem to take this magazine for granted but if you can get your hands on a copy of one you will appreciate and understand why I feel so strongly and positively about it. In fact, you will be glad you did!

Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Writer ● Speaker ● Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.shirleycarolan.com
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com

Copyright© 2010 by Shirley M. Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any part of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at artistwithaflair@att.net. Thank you

A WORKING HOLIDAY!

BY Shirley M. Carolan, ATM-G

This Easter was a wonderful working holiday for me. I never thought I’d ever equate success with doing housework but that is just what happened. Last October, I thought I’d made giant strides in being able to wash/wax my kitchen floor while on oxygen and stopping every 10 minutes to rest. It must have taken me well over an hour to accomplish and then I had to rest. Today, I was able to do that without any oxygen or taking any breaks! Now that’s progress! I thanked God for giving me the strength and desire to do this.

Saturday, I tackled defrosting and cleaning my refrigerator. That was another matter but I still experienced wonderful progress in stamina and determination to finish the task. I did need to have my oxygen on while doing this task but so what? The bending, shifting, disposing of food items, moving and replacing trays took its toll, as I suspected it would, but I was so happy and grateful when I completed the task. It’s wonderful to see dairy products, veggies and other food all neatly lined up. I even got up in the middle of the night to go look in the refrigerator and see how spic and span everything looked!

Never in my lifetime have I ever been so proud of completing household chores that many others take for granted! The feeling of accomplishment has raised my spirits and my outlook and I know now I will never take housework for granted again, or nag about it.

They say “the best things in life are free,” and if that’s so, then taking my health back and my disposition are at the top of my list! I know now I am not a victim of my circumstances and neither do I have to wait or depend on others to help me when they can. I feel like instead of waiting for the storm to pass I am learning to dance in the rain!

May you enjoy the simple things in life too. Happy Easter everyone!

Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Writer ● Speaker ● Artist
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.shirleycarolan.com
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com

Copyright© 2010 by Shirley M. Carolan. All rights reserved. To reprint any part of this article simply contact Shirley Carolan at artistwithaflair@att.net. Thank you