Some of you know I finally traded in my trusty Jeep Wrangler for a "grown-up car," a sporty little Lexus convertible. It's been an absolute kick to drive! The other day, however, I had a frightening moment in it.I was stuck in construction traffic on 377 near Cresson. A flatbed 18-wheeler was in front of me, and another large truck was behind me as we slowly crept up an incline. I will never know whether the driver in front of me wasn't paying attention or if he just forgot his truck was on a hill, but suddenly I looked up to see that huge 18-wheeler drifting BACKWARDS towards me!
I was trapped. I couldn't turn left or right, and because of the truck behind me, I couldn't back up, either. In a state of utter panic, picturing what the impact would do to my new car, I honked my horn wildly. Maybe the driver in front of me heard it, or maybe he realized his vehicle was drifting, but thankfully he hit his brakes and stopped about a parking space away from my front end.
I was shaking all over, and for quite some time afterwards, but it got me thinking about things.
Many events in our life are outside of our control. Companies downsize us, significant others leave us, credit card companies inexplicably reduce our available credit, trucks drift backwards towards us. Absolutely none of that is within our control, and we have to respond as best we can. One thing that IS within our control is our future. We can decide how to improve ourselves, and at what pace.
Toastmasters is the only communication and leadership program I know that allows its participants to pace themselves and learn at whatever speed they find acceptable. We have mentors to help keep us on track. We have countless opportunities to participate and experiment. We have evaluations so we know exactly what we're doing well so we can repeat that success, and exactly what needs to be improved so we can address that as well. Even the destiny of the club as a whole rests in the hands of the individual members!
Next Tuesday we will elect officers to oversee the future of Afterburners for the next six months, July through December. It's crucial that each & every member attend that election so we can have a quorum to conduct the business of the club, but also to ensure that every voice is heard and every vote counts.
Don't sit idly and wait for that truck to back up into you. Honk your horn! Raise your voice! Be an active participant in your own future and in the future of Afterburners Club 6191. If you haven't been to a meeting in awhile, rest assured we have missed you and would love to see you again. Tuesday May 15 is the perfect time to tighten your grip on your own future, and the future of the club. After all, it's in YOUR hands!
