When you join ToastMasters, you will be given the Basic ToastMasters Manual consisting of ten speech projects. In order to become a Competent ToastMaster, you will need to deliver these speeches. Below is a condensed version of the speech projects guidelines to help you in your preparation.
Speech Project # 1 – The Ice Breaker
Date Delivered: __________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
For your first speech project, you will introduce yourself to your fellow Club members and give them some information about your background, interests and ambitions. Practice giving your speech to friends or family members, and strive to make eye contact with some of your audience. You may use notes during your speech if you wish. Read the entire project before preparing your talk.
Objectives:
Ø To begin speaking before an audience about you
Ø To help you understand what areas require
Ø particular emphasis in your speaking development
Ø To introduce yourself to your fellow Club members
Ø To discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention
Time: 4 to 6 minutes
Speech Project # 2 – Organize Your Speech
Date Delivered: __________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Good speech organization is essential if your audience is to follow and understand your presentation. You must take the time to put your ideas together in an orderly manner. You can organize your speech in several different ways; choose the outline that best suits your topic. The opening should catch the audience's attention, the body must support the idea you want to convey, and the conclusion should reinforce your ideas and be memorable. Transitions between thoughts should be smooth.
Objectives:
Ø Select an appropriate outline which allows listeners to easily follow and understand your speech
Ø Make your message clear, with supporting material directly contributing to that message.
Ø Use appropriate transitions when moving from one idea to another.
Ø Create a strong opening and conclusion.
Time: 5 to 7 minutes
Speech Project # 3 – Get to the Point
Date Delivered: __________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Every speech must have a general and specific purpose. A general purpose is to inform, to persuade, to entertain or to inspire. A specific purpose is what you want the audience to do after listening to your speech. Once you have established your general and specific purposes, you'll find it easy to organize your speech. You'll also have more confidence, which makes you more convincing, enthusiastic, and sincere. Of course, the better organized the speech is, the more likely it is to achieve your purpose.
Objectives:
Ø Select a speech topic and determine its general and specific purpose
Ø Organize the speech in a manner that best achieves those purposes.
Ø Ensure the beginning, body and conclusion reinforce the purposes.
Ø Project sincerity and conviction and control any nervousness you may feel.
Ø Strive not to use notes.
Time: 5 to 7 minutes
Speech Project # 4 – How to Say it
Date Delivered: __________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Words are powerful. They convey your message and influence the audience and its perception of you. Word choice and arrangement need just as much attention as speech organization and purpose. Select clear, accurate, descriptive and short words that best communicate your ideas and arrange them effectively and correctly. Every word should add value, meaning and punch to the speech.
Objectives:
Ø Select the right words and sentence structure to communicate your ideas clearly, accurately and vividly.
Ø Use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasize ideas.
Ø Eliminate jargon and unnecessary words. Use correct grammar.
Time: 5 to 7 minutes
Speech Project # 5 – Your Body Speaks
Date Delivered: __________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Body language is an important part of speaking because it enhances your message and gives you more credibility. It also helps release any nervousness you may feel. Stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact help communicate your message and achieve your speech’s purpose. Body language should be smooth, natural and convey the same message that your listeners hear. Read Gestures: Your Body Speaks (Catalog No. 201), which you received in your New Member kit.
Objectives:
Ø Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact to express your message and achieve your speech’s purpose.
Ø Make your body language smooth and natural.
Time: 5 to 7 minutes
Speech Project # 6 – Vocal Variety
Date Delivered: __________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Your voice has a major effect on your audience. A lively, exciting voice attracts and keeps listeners’ attention. A speaking voice should be pleasant, natural, forceful, expressive, and easily heard. Use volume, pitch, rate and quality as well as appropriate pauses to reflect and add meaning and interest to your message. Your voice should reflect the thoughts you are presenting. Review Your Speaking Voice (Catalog No. 199), which you received in your New Member kit.
Objectives:
Ø Use voice volume, pitch, rate and quality to reflect and add meaning and interest to your message.
Ø Use pauses to enhance your message.
Ø Use vocal variety smoothly and naturally.
Time: 5 to 7 minutes
Speech Project # 7 – Research Your Topic
Date Delivered: __________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Your speech will be more effective if you can support your main points with statistics, testimony, stories, anecdotes, examples, visual aids and facts. You can find this material on the Internet, at a library and in other places.
Use information collected from numerous sources and carefully support points with specific facts, examples and illustrations, rather than with just your own opinions.
Objectives:
Ø Collect information about your topic from numerous sources.
Ø Carefully support your points and opinions with specific facts, examples and illustrations gathered through research.
Time: 5 to 7 minutes
Speech Project # 8 – Get Comfortable with Visual Aids
Date Delivered: ____________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Visual aids help an audience understand and remember what they hear; they are a valuable tool for speakers. The most popular visual aids are computer-based visuals, overhead transparencies, flip charts, whiteboards and props.
The type of visual aid you choose depends on several factors, including the information you wish to display and the size of the audience. Visuals must be appropriate for your message and the audience, and be displayed correctly with ease and confidence.
Objectives:
Ø Select visual aids that are appropriate for your message and the audience.
Ø Use visual aids correctly with ease and confidence.
Time: 5 to 7 minutes
Speech Project # 9 – Persuade with Power
Date Delivered: __________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The ability to persuade people – getting them to understand, accept and act upon your ideas – is a valuable skill. Your listeners will more likely be persuaded if they perceive you as credible, if you use logic and emotion in your appeal, if you carefully structure your speech and if you appeal to their interests. Avoid using notes because they may cause listeners to doubt your sincerity, knowledge and conviction.
Objectives:
Ø Persuade listeners to adopt your viewpoint or ideas or to take some action.
Ø Appeal to the audience’s interests.
Ø Use logic and emotion to support your position.
Ø Avoid using notes.
Time: 5 to 7 minutes
Speech Project # 10 – Inspire Your Audience
Date Delivered: __________
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
An inspirational speech motivates an audience to improve personally, emotionally, professionally or spiritually and relies heavily on emotional appeal. It brings the audience together in a mood of fellowship and shared desire, builds the audience’s enthusiasm, then proposes a change or plan and appeals to the audience to adopt this change or plan. This speech will last longer than your previous talks, so make arrangements in advance with your Vice-President for extra time.
Ø To inspire the audience by appealing to noble motives and challenging the audience to achieve a higher level of beliefs or achievement.
Ø Appeal to the audience’s needs and emotions, using stories, anecdotes and quotes to add drama.
Ø Avoid using notes.
Time: 8 to 10 minutes
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
My New Pair of Shoes by TM Edwin Ebreo
Fellow Toast Masters, These shoes are new. I purchased it barely a month a go from a friend who sells Natasha products. 3 gives for a total of 1,500. Not a bad deal right? But knowing how stingy and cheap I am, I wouldn’t have bought it unlesss absolutely necessary. You see my favorite old shoes gave up on me after 5 years of satisfying service. It pains me but I really had no choice…
The first two weeks with these shoes were like hell. On the first day I wore it, I complained about how heavy it is. I grew more blisters in my feet than you would care to know. At the end of the day, I was so tired and in pain that I wished I wouldn’t have to walk half a kilometer from the bus stop to my house. My body just reacted so negatively to the change and I wished my old shoes could stand more than 5 years of service. I had no choice though. I knew I had to endure the first few weeks in the same way that I did with my old shoes.
These shoes brought unwelcomed but necessary changes to my life, small, yes but necessary none-the-less. Which brings me to the point I’d like to drive at. We all have to face necessary changes in our lives at one time or another. We’d wish that the signs would be as obvious as in the case of my old shoes, but at most times, the most subtle hints bring the most impact, like the need to relate better with others or learn new skills. Most often our reaction to the need for change is that of denial. We make excuses in the same way that I say, what’s wrong with my old shoes? We all heard about that saying that goes, if ain’t broke, don’t fix it. We also say, this is who I am, what you see is what you get, take it or leave it. But the truth is we can’t wear the same shoes all the time and besides there are different shoes for different occasions. And on some, we will need an entirely different set of shoes. We all know that in order to get ahead in this life, we cannot stay in the status quo, we have to find ways to make improvements in our selves and adapt to the environment we live in. I say, don’t get caught wearing the wrong shoes!
So, what are the necessary changes in your life that you’ve been trying to push back for a long time? Taking up a new hobby, pursuing a relationship? acquiring a new skill? Joining Toastmasters??? What? You have better ways of spending your time and money? Why, is it too scary? The more excuses you make up, the longer it will take before you get to enjoy the benefits of the changes you need to make. Sure it’s inconvenient and painful at times. I’d be lying if I say it is not, but you know what, we all need changes like I need these new pair of shoes.
The first two weeks with these shoes were like hell. On the first day I wore it, I complained about how heavy it is. I grew more blisters in my feet than you would care to know. At the end of the day, I was so tired and in pain that I wished I wouldn’t have to walk half a kilometer from the bus stop to my house. My body just reacted so negatively to the change and I wished my old shoes could stand more than 5 years of service. I had no choice though. I knew I had to endure the first few weeks in the same way that I did with my old shoes.
These shoes brought unwelcomed but necessary changes to my life, small, yes but necessary none-the-less. Which brings me to the point I’d like to drive at. We all have to face necessary changes in our lives at one time or another. We’d wish that the signs would be as obvious as in the case of my old shoes, but at most times, the most subtle hints bring the most impact, like the need to relate better with others or learn new skills. Most often our reaction to the need for change is that of denial. We make excuses in the same way that I say, what’s wrong with my old shoes? We all heard about that saying that goes, if ain’t broke, don’t fix it. We also say, this is who I am, what you see is what you get, take it or leave it. But the truth is we can’t wear the same shoes all the time and besides there are different shoes for different occasions. And on some, we will need an entirely different set of shoes. We all know that in order to get ahead in this life, we cannot stay in the status quo, we have to find ways to make improvements in our selves and adapt to the environment we live in. I say, don’t get caught wearing the wrong shoes!
So, what are the necessary changes in your life that you’ve been trying to push back for a long time? Taking up a new hobby, pursuing a relationship? acquiring a new skill? Joining Toastmasters??? What? You have better ways of spending your time and money? Why, is it too scary? The more excuses you make up, the longer it will take before you get to enjoy the benefits of the changes you need to make. Sure it’s inconvenient and painful at times. I’d be lying if I say it is not, but you know what, we all need changes like I need these new pair of shoes.
Ice Breaker by TM Edwin Ebreo
Good evening fellow toastmasters. Let me introduce my self. I am Edwin C. Ebreo, an HR Director in Athena E-Services Corporation, I am also a free-lance training consultant, a business man, a writer, at least I think I am...a father of three and a lover of beauty... I'd like to think that I am a sensitive person, resourceful, creative and risk taking. I am also loud, sometimes unruly, disorganized and makes a lot of stupid decisions.
What made me what I am and how I got here is the story I am going to share to you tonight.. First off, I was born to a poor couple in 1971. My mother who never set foot in a class room until I was ready for kinder garten was a sidewalk vendor. My father who barely finished first year in high school was a laborer earning below the minimum salary. We have a very good reason to have a miserable life, but you know what we didn't. In my childhood I never felt we were poor. That's because my parents did their best to show me how to lead a good life. They gave me reason to be confident of my self. My mom made me believe that I was smart and good looking. My father said how can you not be, your father is smart and good looking.... Parents! You know, I don't think I outgrew that belief.
Just like most of us here, I also acquired my values from my parents. My mother taught me discipline and hard work by requiring me to clean the house, wash my clothes and sell stuff like pandesal, news paper, vegetables in the market and a lot of others. My father taught me to be resourceful and innovative and he gave me a good example. When I was 10, he worked in Oman in the middle east as a cook for Filipino engineers. The remarkable thing is, he can only cook rice! He brought along 5 cook books and substituted missing ingredients with MSG. Hmmm, I now wonder if the engineers lived longer than he did. His experience showed me that if you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to have it...
My father shared with me a remarkable wisdom. He said successful people make their own rules. The books he said are references not instructions, always keep an open mind and an open eye for opportunities to improve on what people already know... How do you beat that!
When I was fourteen my father died, my mother was devastated, I lost a moral compass. I was adrift for a long time that led me to marrying at age 19, making me give up education and all the good fortune I had at school as an editor, theater actor and all around popular guy!
I worked as a store crew at 7-Eleven and felt miserable for a while until I decided that everything is a temporary setback and thought to my self that I can do something to get to the top of the pile. I worked hard to get the break of becoming a supervisor, then a trainer, then a training manager, then an HR Manager and very recently an HR Director, taking care of all the HR needs of a group of companies.
Fellow toastmasters, I believe that at my current age of 133. I've experienced enough loss to appreciate what I have, enough poverty to to realize the value of hard work, enough failure to be humble and enough success to believe in my abilities as a person. And through all these I have one lesson to share... No guts, no glory, oh and another thing... Always wear a smile and the world will wonder what you are up to.
What made me what I am and how I got here is the story I am going to share to you tonight.. First off, I was born to a poor couple in 1971. My mother who never set foot in a class room until I was ready for kinder garten was a sidewalk vendor. My father who barely finished first year in high school was a laborer earning below the minimum salary. We have a very good reason to have a miserable life, but you know what we didn't. In my childhood I never felt we were poor. That's because my parents did their best to show me how to lead a good life. They gave me reason to be confident of my self. My mom made me believe that I was smart and good looking. My father said how can you not be, your father is smart and good looking.... Parents! You know, I don't think I outgrew that belief.
Just like most of us here, I also acquired my values from my parents. My mother taught me discipline and hard work by requiring me to clean the house, wash my clothes and sell stuff like pandesal, news paper, vegetables in the market and a lot of others. My father taught me to be resourceful and innovative and he gave me a good example. When I was 10, he worked in Oman in the middle east as a cook for Filipino engineers. The remarkable thing is, he can only cook rice! He brought along 5 cook books and substituted missing ingredients with MSG. Hmmm, I now wonder if the engineers lived longer than he did. His experience showed me that if you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to have it...
My father shared with me a remarkable wisdom. He said successful people make their own rules. The books he said are references not instructions, always keep an open mind and an open eye for opportunities to improve on what people already know... How do you beat that!
When I was fourteen my father died, my mother was devastated, I lost a moral compass. I was adrift for a long time that led me to marrying at age 19, making me give up education and all the good fortune I had at school as an editor, theater actor and all around popular guy!
I worked as a store crew at 7-Eleven and felt miserable for a while until I decided that everything is a temporary setback and thought to my self that I can do something to get to the top of the pile. I worked hard to get the break of becoming a supervisor, then a trainer, then a training manager, then an HR Manager and very recently an HR Director, taking care of all the HR needs of a group of companies.
Fellow toastmasters, I believe that at my current age of 133. I've experienced enough loss to appreciate what I have, enough poverty to to realize the value of hard work, enough failure to be humble and enough success to believe in my abilities as a person. And through all these I have one lesson to share... No guts, no glory, oh and another thing... Always wear a smile and the world will wonder what you are up to.
Gratitude Attitude by TM Sheila Mapanao
Each afternoon I look forward to some quiet time alone, when my kids are at their tutor’s house, and I have the house all to myself. No loud music blaring from the radio, no tv, just me lying on the sofa, book or magazine in hand, reading, reading, reading. And all is quiet. Ah, pure bliss! This is the kind of lazy, quiet afternoon when I do my best thinking.
Some people are uncomfortable with the quiet, but I relish it since it comes so infrequently. Although these past few weeks, I have been spending a lot of quiet time alone, thinking things through, planning my days, and just enjoying my own company. I’m sure you’ve also had these moments, enjoying how good it feels to just be with yourself and think.
And what have these quiet afternoons resulted in? Well, honestly, a lot of peace of mind on my part. Am more comfortable now going with the flow, so to speak, and taking things as they come. No harried and frantic rushing to and from the house, No running around in circles deciding which project to do first. I am more relaxed now, and I feel ready to take on the world! Whereas before I was a lot worried about the uncertainties of the future, I feel a lot more confident now about what the future holds for me. I am thoroughly enjoying my vacation and the relaxation, as I’m sure that once I start another job, vacations such as this will be rare.
Another thing that I’ve realized… I realized how lucky and blessed I am. A few years back, I bought a journal with the cover titled, "A booklet of my blessings". A gratitude journal, something I started late 2003. I remember a saying, “think of all the things that you have that you will not take money for”, and that was the basis for a lot of things written in my gratitude journal.
Gratitude comes easily when our lives are in order. But the challenge is to find something to be grateful for even in the midst of personal hardship. I prepared my own personal list of favorite “good things”...something I refer to when work becomes stressful, or when life, in general, is not going my way. I’m sure we all have at one time or another experienced days when things just aren't going right. And that's the time I refer to my own list of favorite “good things”...
Admittedly, each person would have a different take on what would be considered a “good thing” but still please allow me to share with you a list of my favorite “good things”.
As expected, a lot of my favorite good things would have to do with my family, and friends, such as:
- watching my sons sleeping so soundly
- when my 4 year-old son says "i love you, mommy"
- watching my "bunso" learning how to walk (when he was then 9 months old)
- my Mom's cooking (yum yum!)
- my Dad's silly jokes and stories
- hugs and kisses from people I love
- cuddling and snuggling in bed
- reminiscing with old and dear friends
I also enjoy things such as:
- inspirational books (Og Mandino, Chicken soup series, etc...)
- "feel good" movies
- back rubs/massage
- curling up in bed with a good book
- knowing i've made someone happy
- memories of swimming/snorkeling in Pangasinan’s white sand beaches
- laughing uninhibitedly (LOL)
- love letters
- listening to songs from high school
- baby pictures
- quiet moments lying on the beach and looking up at the sky and white, puffy clouds
- chocolate cake
- Chili’s mashed potatoes
- watching the sunset on the beach (with a loved one, a pre-requisite)
That was my personal list. I also encourage each one of you to write your own personal list of “good things”, something for you to refer to when things just aren’t going your way. Don’t get too wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or your so-called "busy-ness". Don’t forget to acknowledge the blessings that you have been receiving, and spend more time being thankful!!! Practice gratitude every day of your life! And I hope I have inspired you to attain a “gratitude” attitude. Thank you, everyone, and GOD BLESS!
10 February 2005
Some people are uncomfortable with the quiet, but I relish it since it comes so infrequently. Although these past few weeks, I have been spending a lot of quiet time alone, thinking things through, planning my days, and just enjoying my own company. I’m sure you’ve also had these moments, enjoying how good it feels to just be with yourself and think.
And what have these quiet afternoons resulted in? Well, honestly, a lot of peace of mind on my part. Am more comfortable now going with the flow, so to speak, and taking things as they come. No harried and frantic rushing to and from the house, No running around in circles deciding which project to do first. I am more relaxed now, and I feel ready to take on the world! Whereas before I was a lot worried about the uncertainties of the future, I feel a lot more confident now about what the future holds for me. I am thoroughly enjoying my vacation and the relaxation, as I’m sure that once I start another job, vacations such as this will be rare.
Another thing that I’ve realized… I realized how lucky and blessed I am. A few years back, I bought a journal with the cover titled, "A booklet of my blessings". A gratitude journal, something I started late 2003. I remember a saying, “think of all the things that you have that you will not take money for”, and that was the basis for a lot of things written in my gratitude journal.
Gratitude comes easily when our lives are in order. But the challenge is to find something to be grateful for even in the midst of personal hardship. I prepared my own personal list of favorite “good things”...something I refer to when work becomes stressful, or when life, in general, is not going my way. I’m sure we all have at one time or another experienced days when things just aren't going right. And that's the time I refer to my own list of favorite “good things”...
Admittedly, each person would have a different take on what would be considered a “good thing” but still please allow me to share with you a list of my favorite “good things”.
As expected, a lot of my favorite good things would have to do with my family, and friends, such as:
- watching my sons sleeping so soundly
- when my 4 year-old son says "i love you, mommy"
- watching my "bunso" learning how to walk (when he was then 9 months old)
- my Mom's cooking (yum yum!)
- my Dad's silly jokes and stories
- hugs and kisses from people I love
- cuddling and snuggling in bed
- reminiscing with old and dear friends
I also enjoy things such as:
- inspirational books (Og Mandino, Chicken soup series, etc...)
- "feel good" movies
- back rubs/massage
- curling up in bed with a good book
- knowing i've made someone happy
- memories of swimming/snorkeling in Pangasinan’s white sand beaches
- laughing uninhibitedly (LOL)
- love letters
- listening to songs from high school
- baby pictures
- quiet moments lying on the beach and looking up at the sky and white, puffy clouds
- chocolate cake
- Chili’s mashed potatoes
- watching the sunset on the beach (with a loved one, a pre-requisite)
That was my personal list. I also encourage each one of you to write your own personal list of “good things”, something for you to refer to when things just aren’t going your way. Don’t get too wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or your so-called "busy-ness". Don’t forget to acknowledge the blessings that you have been receiving, and spend more time being thankful!!! Practice gratitude every day of your life! And I hope I have inspired you to attain a “gratitude” attitude. Thank you, everyone, and GOD BLESS!
10 February 2005
Icebreaker by Sheila Mapanao
Good evening, everyone! Tonight’s the night I do my icebreaker speech! And the task at hand is to introduce myself to all you. Before I start, I’d like to ask… “When you are asked to introduce yourself, how do you do it?” Maybe you give out basic information like name, age, company you work for, etc. etc., right? Because that’s how we define ourselves. Well, tonight I’d like to be a bit different. Rather than telling you those basic information, which most of you probably already know anyway, I’d like to introduce myself by how I see myself…
First of all, I am a writer. Or more truthfully, a frustrated writer. I dream of someday writing a novel much like my favorite authors, Isabel Allende, John Grisham, J.K. Rowling, and a host of others. Even in grade school, I joined (and won) a number of writing contests. Now, I have a different outlet for my writing, and that is in blogging. For those of you who don’t know blogging is basically keeping an online journal.
Second, I am a bookworm, which I can say is the reason I wanted to be a writer in the first place! When I was younger, I could finish a thick book in 1 night! There were times that I would forego sleeping just to finish reading whatever book captured my interest and imagination.
Third, I’m also a movie buff. Friends usually joke that I’m their resident movie reviewer cum critic cum trivia guide. Name the actors or actresses in a movie, and there’d be a good chance I can name the movie.
But all the things I told you about me now is just a very shallow definition of who I really am. We’ve barely scratched the surface, as these are the things that I would tell practically anyone, even people I’ve just met. But to know the real me, you would have to know what I went through a few years back.
I was married 8 years ago in 1996, to my boyfriend of 9 years. The marriage started out happily at first. But by 2001, the marriage had unraveled and I had left my ex, with my kids, and just a few clothes and toys in tow. So imagine, I was with this person for a total of 14 years, almost half my life. And I certainly thought I knew him. For a while I couldn’t believe that I was in this sort of relationship…that this was the person I married. Rather than go through the details and relive those unpleasant moments, let me just say that I had gone through all 3 rings… engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering. Truth be told, I was in a abusive relationship. And I had to get out, if not for me, then for my children who were witnesses to the abuse.
Looking back now, I can hardly believe that I was able to hurdle all those negative experiences. For a while, my self-esteem was wrought and I felt so helpless, so insecure. I was in a state of denial, and depression. But fighting back, standing up for myself, and being able to finally leave that house, that man, and that relationship, has definitely made me into a much stronger person.
My life now as a single mom is so, so much happier! I have 2 handsome, and loving sons and they are my life, my treasures. They are my reason for being. I do my best to bring them up as I want them to grow up to be fine young men, upstanding citizens of the world. And when I look at them now, so young and innocent, I know I made the right choice in leaving that marriage. And I know that I still have a long way to go in bringing up my children, and yet I look forward to the journey ahead. Because I believe in my heart, and in my soul, that in this world now I am first and foremost, a mother.
And that is how I’d like to be known to you. Good evening again to everyone! I’m Sheila, frustrated writer, bookworm, dreamer, fighter, and survivor, but above all, a mother! Thank you!
First of all, I am a writer. Or more truthfully, a frustrated writer. I dream of someday writing a novel much like my favorite authors, Isabel Allende, John Grisham, J.K. Rowling, and a host of others. Even in grade school, I joined (and won) a number of writing contests. Now, I have a different outlet for my writing, and that is in blogging. For those of you who don’t know blogging is basically keeping an online journal.
Second, I am a bookworm, which I can say is the reason I wanted to be a writer in the first place! When I was younger, I could finish a thick book in 1 night! There were times that I would forego sleeping just to finish reading whatever book captured my interest and imagination.
Third, I’m also a movie buff. Friends usually joke that I’m their resident movie reviewer cum critic cum trivia guide. Name the actors or actresses in a movie, and there’d be a good chance I can name the movie.
But all the things I told you about me now is just a very shallow definition of who I really am. We’ve barely scratched the surface, as these are the things that I would tell practically anyone, even people I’ve just met. But to know the real me, you would have to know what I went through a few years back.
I was married 8 years ago in 1996, to my boyfriend of 9 years. The marriage started out happily at first. But by 2001, the marriage had unraveled and I had left my ex, with my kids, and just a few clothes and toys in tow. So imagine, I was with this person for a total of 14 years, almost half my life. And I certainly thought I knew him. For a while I couldn’t believe that I was in this sort of relationship…that this was the person I married. Rather than go through the details and relive those unpleasant moments, let me just say that I had gone through all 3 rings… engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering. Truth be told, I was in a abusive relationship. And I had to get out, if not for me, then for my children who were witnesses to the abuse.
Looking back now, I can hardly believe that I was able to hurdle all those negative experiences. For a while, my self-esteem was wrought and I felt so helpless, so insecure. I was in a state of denial, and depression. But fighting back, standing up for myself, and being able to finally leave that house, that man, and that relationship, has definitely made me into a much stronger person.
My life now as a single mom is so, so much happier! I have 2 handsome, and loving sons and they are my life, my treasures. They are my reason for being. I do my best to bring them up as I want them to grow up to be fine young men, upstanding citizens of the world. And when I look at them now, so young and innocent, I know I made the right choice in leaving that marriage. And I know that I still have a long way to go in bringing up my children, and yet I look forward to the journey ahead. Because I believe in my heart, and in my soul, that in this world now I am first and foremost, a mother.
And that is how I’d like to be known to you. Good evening again to everyone! I’m Sheila, frustrated writer, bookworm, dreamer, fighter, and survivor, but above all, a mother! Thank you!
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