by Dear readers,
Of all the days you have lived, which are the days you remember the most?
If you’re like me, you can perhaps count them on your fingers.
And if you’ve been a Toastmaster for a while, then it’s highly likely that at least one of those days has got something to do with Toastmasters.
Because, at Toastmasters, we are intentional about making memories.
One such day: 25th May, 2019. Kolkata. Oration.
The place where I met Sam Cawthorn. One, among many distinguished keynote speakers present that day.
His life itself was his message.
He was, until a few years ago, living an ordinary life – an ordinary job, ordinary family, ordinary dreams.
Perhaps, just like you and me.
But something happened that changed his life forever. One day, he dozed off while he was still at the wheel. The next thing he heard was, BAANG!!!!
His car had collided into a truck and… he was dead.
But miracles do happen.
Doctors were there within minutes and he was brought back to life. Sadly though, without an arm and a leg.
What followed was several months of staying in the hospital, series of surgeries and at the end, a life to live with a metallic arm and leg.
One thing he never lost was his sense of humour. The other, his grit.
He was in splits when his daughter on seeing him for the first time after the accident shouted, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, doctors said you lost your arm? But, I’m sure they haven’t searched properly enough. After all, it must have been in the car only.”
After a year or so of recovery, he could have gone back to his same old ordinary life. The Bounce Back, as the famous KBC promo says.
But the question was, is that good enough? In the last one year, Sam had learnt a lot from his setbacks.
In the process of telling his story to friends and family, he had discovered that he was an excellent storyteller.
He embarked upon a brand-new journey – of becoming a storyteller.
He had bounced forward.
Why is this day etched in my mind?
Because, that one day shifted my perspective and when that happens, one can only bounce forward.
Personally, a lot has happened since then – A significant career move, Area Director position at Toastmasters, getting up stronger after a prolonged illness, my children winning speech contests..
And a lot of that I credit to my renewed perspective from that day.
This day reminds me that there may be something even better than Bouncing Back – Bouncing Forward.
Dream. Experiment. Grow. Learn. Celebrate life. Embrace humanity.
Make memories.
That to me is the essence of Toastmasters. And at the end, that’s all that matters.
****This article was published in Division P Newsletter Dec 2020 Edition. Here is the link to the full newsletter: Division P Newsletter.****