‘When you want something,
all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.’
Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist.
I set an intention a year ago; it seemed a far fetched idea but I took one step towards it.
My heart and mind felt perfectly aligned to create a big dream. I simply wanted the experience of presenting a talk overseas. Had I done this before? No. But I wanted to welcome the opportunity to take my writing and speaking career to a new level.
How could I create this opportunity? Good question!
From many past experiences, I have learned that the first step is not something you do, but something you believe. It is having the ‘dream’ first, that enables a series of ‘chance’ events to fall into place. So, not knowing the how or when didn’t matter, it was holding a vision of the possible that kept me ‘dreaming’ of stepping onto a world stage.
But, at the same time, I knew I had to claim my vision to others. I asked myself, ‘to become more skilled in the art of speaking, where could I go?’ I researched speaking coaches but their fees were incredibly steep. Shouldn’t I invest in my future to secure training? Hmm…I had a feeling there was another way.
Then it dawned on me – I could join a local club of Toastmasters!
This is not a club where people learn how to cook their toast to perfection. It is an international ‘club’ of speakers with a friendly focus on supporting people to become more confident speakers and with the motto, ‘Toastmasters where leaders are made’ – that would do me fine!
I chose a local club, one that seemed to have many members and after inquiring, I felt instantly supported on my quest. On the first meeting I attended, I heard myself say, ‘I’d like to join Toastmasters because I may be invited to speak at a leadership conference next year.’
‘Really? Great!’ Everyone was impressed, and perhaps most of all, so was I for having made such a confident statement.
I kept the dream alive and over the course of several months, found their program to be an incredible resource to improve as a speaker. As I progressed through the Toastmasters manual, I discovered a genuine love for the craft.
By taking the skill of public speaking seriously, I became more proficient. I was awarded ‘Best Speech’ by the club members 4 times in a row and was as excited as a six year old at a school award ceremony. Having being handed the trophy at the end of the first night, I didn’t realise it was one I had to return for the next meeting, it was a communal trophy…but it held a special spot on our dining table for a fortnight and kept me focused on the dream.
VisionAware
The year progressed and I continued writing regular articles for VisionAware. This is a web-program of the American Foundation for the Blind and on a couple of occasions, my program manager and I ‘dreamed’ of how great it would be if I could speak at the next Leadership conference.
‘What could you tell us about people with disabilities in Australia?’ Pris asked.
At first, I thought – nothing apart from my own lived-experience with avisual disability. Then a fabulous penny dropped; ‘Oh, we have a new funding model being rolled out called the National Disability Insurance Scheme. I am a new participant.’
‘Perfect! I’ll pass on your details to the conference programmer, he might find this interesting to include on the conference agenda.’
Sure enough, several weeks later, I received an invitation to speak at the conference. My dream to step onto an international stage was showing me the way forward! It felt both exhilarating and extremely challenging. My dream was now calling my bluff; do you really think you can do this?
I had to hush my fears, it was time to jump out of my comfort zone.
With a sense of gratitude to both program managers for being so inclusive, I gladly accepted, as nervous as I felt to live up to their expectations, and mine. The Chief Knowledge Advancement Officer requested a bio, a presentation description with 3 key learning objectives.
Pris swung into gear to make all the necessary bookings and accommodation arrangements – and with only 5 weeks to go, the countdown from dream to reality has begun! But what else is going on behind the scenes as I prepare for California, is another story to be posted here soon…
Copyright © 2018 Maribel Steel
Dear Maribel, well done!
My daughter Steele, who I have written to you about before, was made a member of Mensa in September after doing an IQ test with all the other new girls at her new secondary school. She’s also top of her class across all subjects in her year (7), has just achieved 4 commendations for 3 x 85% + 1 x 84% in the Stratford Singing competition in East London. (The oldest competition of its type in the UK). There was some dispute as to why she didn’t win at least one category, but it was probably because she has yet to learn how to ‘act’ the song better for the judge. She won a scholarship to the Centre for Young Musicians (a Saturday only music school affiliated to the Guildhall School of Music in London), where she now gets several thousand £’s worth of free tuition P.A. Besides singing she plays piano at grade 5 level and has just started learning the guitar. She writes her own short stories and just won the History of Art prize at school for entrants up to two years older. She rides and swims very well and does very creditable ballet. And all with no vision in her right her and only very limited near vision in her left due to ROP at birth.
To conclude, the world is what you make of it. Best wishes, Michael Roc Thomas.
PS I have a new book out inspired by Steele, called Seeing Better Now which I recently launched at the Galle Literary Festival in Sri Lanka. Here’s the blurb:-
A Tour de Force of Magical Verse!
‘Seeing Better Now’ launches a new chapter in the career of a talented new writer and evokes Michael’s creative journey from professional photographer and world traveller to storyteller and mad Dad.
Readers enter a world of fascinating characters, animals and locations guaranteed to appeal to parents and elder children everywhere. Central to what influences the stories are the many years Michael spent on the move, and especially his last ten years living in and absorbing the culture and language of Sri Lanka and elsewhere in Asia and beyond.
The premature birth of his daughter in 2006 and his subsequent concern for her sight add special poignancy to his decision to change creative direction.
‘Seeing Better Now’ comprises fifty-six tropical and topical tales told in verse. Each is beautifully illustrated in full colour by two of Sri Lanka’s finest artists. Many of the stories are humorous, doleful or bittersweet. Others ask powerful questions and will make the reader think. They all have great charm and genuine originality. Poetry? No, much more fun!
A wonderful account of how your set your goals and then aspired to make it become reality, Maribel! A lovely read! A couple of lines you wrote stood out to me: “It was time to jump out of my comfort zone.” (something you do very well!). It made me think of someone diving off a high cliff into the water. The other one was “My dream was now calling my bluff.” It is that thrill that keeps you going, I believe! 🙂
Keep us posted!
Amy