Toastmasters

International Women’s Day March 8th

Women celebrate a very important day, ourselves ! What will you do to honor your friend, partner, colleague, parent, sibling, daughter, grandmother or grandchild? Let’s start with some good words like “you are special,” “thanks for being in my life,” “you help me become a better person.” Gifts 🎁 and flowers 💐 are always welcomed!
This article describes the 5 reasons we should hire women, including: their efficiency, innovation, productivity and increasing money for the company/ agency, effective retention, and simply gender equality 🟰 more women !

Having graduated from an all women’s college, then Simmons College, now Simmons University in Boston it was amazing to me to witness my own self growth and confidence boost. Many leaders are made! I participated in many clubs and attended many panels and talks; the beginnings of my lifelong journey in self improvement.

Furthermore, I am grateful to so many professors who helped my learning including psychological testing, social psychology, bio psychology (loved those dissections and sleep 😴 studies), experimental psychology, Freud and dreams, English literature, mythology, biology, communication, journalism. It was the first time we made a short film 🎥 and we learned the difference between real journalism or simply “sensationalism” (comprising 80% of the news 📰 channels in Greece today). Our wonderful Dean, W. Peebles-Wilkins who fostered our mentoring of commuter students — Only years later do we realize how special these relationships were and the learning!

The women leaders of the Toastmasters crew in the U.S. as well as in Greece, the women (and men) who help us understand why we need to keep fighting and educating about femicide…and building health literacy! Why we need to keep “fighting” fires 🔥 to save animals and property, Trap King and Let’s be S.M.A.R.T., continue to be productive like Eleftheria (name means “freedom”), or the grannies whom I met on the boat to a small island sharing their joy despite any chronic health conditions or the covid outbreak 😷 💕💙

Finally, as a social scientist I would be remiss from not including the inspirations for my studies and thanking all Marie Curie Fellows, my mentors, for helping career growth in the field towards improving individual and community health.

Indeed all the strong women in my life including my good friends, aunts, mother and grandmother. Thanks for helping me build strength of character! We can accomplish miracles and with a little effort can help the world 🌎 a better place!

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Toasting to health & support

15 years ago a girl had a dream of bringing a club to oral history roots. A club that started in the “new world” with techniques familiar to the “old world” of Athens Greece, but with more emphasis on evaluating, self improvement as well as community outreach. Thus, the first Toastmasters club of what would eventually be a part of Toastmasters Greece was started. It’s not just about “toasting” (though that gets better in time too) it’s about learning to “R.I.S.E.” above personal hardships and move to gaining strengths and leadership skills in growing beyond our comfort zone. The virtual meetings in lockdown modes are a pleasant 2 hour alternative, twice every month.

  • R — Respect
  • I — Integrity
  • S — Service
  • E — Excellence

The man who started the clubs in 1925 Ralph Smedley was a dreamer too, to make contributions for the young men of the then YMCA. We need to continue efforts for our young people today. They cannot learn through a screen alone. Toastmasters Youth Leadership is one of those examples as well as Speechcraft for teaching groups the gift of public speaking and positivity. In Covid quarantines we understand that human touch and human communication are necessary for our own survival.

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” ― Abraham Lincoln

With the internet at your fingertips it’s worth a try to join a club as a guest ! Look up Toastmasters International and find a club near you today — with over 16,000 clubs in 145 countries (and counting), they must be doing something right!

”We learn best in moments of enjoyment”

Ralph Smedley (1878-1965), Founder of Toastmasters

Thinking about Palindrome Dates!

Today is a special day because as a “palindrome” date which apparently only come around every 900+ years! As a matter of fact 02/02/20 was another one. Some people believe in this so much they got married on this date, others sign special papers for better luck, let’s play the lottery! Superstition is an interesting topic in its own rite as some people may be affected even in their health outcomes so keep in mind Superstition & Health (post)

First sign of Spring….the bees 🐝 were happy too


February 22 is World Thinking Day for the Girl Scouts! They celebrate equity, diversity, and inclusion which are so important for young girls worldwide….and since some of us love Girl Scout cookies a reminder of those goodies too!

let’s think together for a better globe!

Companies are smart about marketing and send tailored messages and gifts like free coffee (thanks Starbucks). Happy birthday 🎂🎉 to us then! Note historical and popular figures: U.S. President George (Washington), Actress Drew (Barrymore), Outback wild animal handler Steve (Irwin), Founder of Toastmasters clubs Ralph Smedley.

One thing likely in common is public speaking, empathy, leadership, positive thinking and community building! Let’s continue these qualities and keep special traditions going.

Bringing storytelling to the holidays

We are natural storytellers. Whether it’s a folk tale, a fairy tale or your own “tale” the importance of the written and oral word are vitally important for building traditions and maintaining relationships. This includes family and even your healthcare provider as sharing of stories helps build empathy and health literacy.

During the cold season it has been a tradition for hundreds of years to gather around the fire 🔥 share stories, drinking hot beverages, that bring generations together. What better then to start your own tradition now?

Belonging to a self-improvement group like Toastmasters allows those advanced speakers to formally plan and be evaluated on their oral speaking skills includes establishing eye contact and rapport with your audience with the help of props and vocal variety. This year for the annual Christmas 🎄 and Holiday party I had the chance to retell the classic Hans Christian Andersen story “The Little Match Girl” with the goal of reminding our audience about the less fortunate and why we all need to maintain hope and be mindful of others.
Friend and compatriot Toastmaster Sylvia, gave a great tale of “Sophie” the working girl who just wanted to stay home with her alcohol “friends” ….and how a few “elves” brought her back to her senses reminding her of the basics!

Yes Sophie please mind the cup, and remember Santa is good for our health, and please drink plenty of clean water!

No one is perfect in the oral tradition, it’s the small steps that matter ….speaking of which I appreciated Queen Elizabeth’s recent holiday speech of the generations coming together and how often small steps like thinking of climate change, the spirit of good faith, bring reconciliation and positive change.

Whether it’s hot chocolate or peppermint dreams do take time with those you care about, and share some good stories. As always be good to your body, mind, and spirit for better health! Happy holidays and best for the upcoming new year!

Great storytelling!