Today I am grateful for my delivery in today’s Toastmaster meeting. I joined back in November in efforts to get over my fear of public speaking. Although my workday is consumed right now with a high priority project, I did not want to abandon this effort and attended our twice monthly meeting over the lunch hour.
The theme was School and my Table Topic was “What is a fond memory from recess or lunch in elementary school?”
I knew just what to speak on.
In elementary school, at recess, the swings were highly coveted. Once out of the building, we’d race across the playground and grab a swing, sometimes grabbing the chains of the swing next to you to save for a friend. It was here that I met my best friend, whom I’m still friends with, 47 years later.
I got a swing, grabbed the one next to me and yelled, “Fionaaaaaaa!!!” She ran over, grabbed her swing, and we’ve been friends ever since.
Another fond memory was coming in from recess to find a projector in the back of your classroom. Movie time. The lights went out and we got to partake in whatever movie they had in store, sometimes serious, sometimes more fun.
These were things I hadn’t thought of in some time, and I was grateful to have this question. I spoke with enthusiasm and had much to share. My timing was on point and my short speech elicited comments from the audience, so I was happy to have that engagement.
What are you grateful for today?
#DailyGratitudePractice2026
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You are brave. I shake from head to toe.
It’s gotten easier. Table Topics, especially virtual, aren’t too bad. It was via Teams, camera on, with about 8 people. In person, with more people is scarier, but I’m working up to it.
Lovely post, Kathleen.
I am grateful for the questions as well. “What is a fond memory from recess or lunch in elementary school?” is such a wonderful question that brings forward warm feelings of nostalgia and smiles as I think back on simpler times.
I was happy to have a response.. Much easier to think on your feet when you already have ideas in your head instead of feeling like a deer in the headlights. 🙂
This is so wonderful! Public speaking can be rewarding. How far in advance did you recieve the topic?
Table Topics are on the spot. You volunteer to speak and are given a topic just then. They do however, give you the theme of the topics beforehand.