Page 10 - April 2020

THE DISTRICT BEAT

The Power of Spring

The power of positivity and focus

Emilie Taylor, DTM - District Director

The past three days have been so beautiful Starting July 1st, Pathways is it! Many of you
here in the Pacific Northwest. The sun was have embraced the change and I know many
out, the skies were blue, and the trees around more will. Toastmasters embrace the new
my house and garden have been blooming. growth that comes with change.

There is the soft melodic drone of the wind Second, I think about Spring pruning the
chimes. You can hear the birds chirping. unwanted so you can direct growth. Are we
These are ambitious little birds. They are pruning out the ‘I can’ts’ to the ‘I cans’? Are
on task, busily looking for twigs and such we pruning away unwanted and unnecessary

to build a nest. If I didn’t know any better, if self-talk? None of us are without doubts
I were watching only what was going on in and fears. Facing them brings to us the
my yard, it would have been easy to forget revelation that fears are veils attempting
a worldwide pandemic is unfolding. Give to block our view of the beauty of spring.

yourself some quiet time to stop and smell We remember a tree well pruned promotes
the roses, well maybe later, but for now the growth, directs energy and, in the end, we
cherry and apple blossoms. After all, it is a have bigger and better fruit. Time to get
state mandate. out the pruning shears and reshape our

During this time, I’m thinking of you. Toastmasters journey.
I hope you are doing well in this Covid-19 Third, there is the metamorphosis of a
environment. It’s a very challenging time caterpillar. The only way for metamorphosis
we face! I believe we will get through it and to happen is to go through the process. Like

be better for it. the process of the caterpillar to a butterfly,
On the subject of Spring . . . when I think there a bit of a struggle. Know that the
of Spring, I think of three things: process or metamorphosis is just one step.
First, I think about new growth. For us Each of us has to go through it. We, just like

in Toastmasters and the rest of the world, the cocooned butterfly, must work our way
change has been abrupt. We are forced to through the process. If someone opens up
grow and adapt in new ways. June 30, 2020 the cocoon for the butterfly, it will not pump
is the end of the old Educational Program. up its wings and will not be able to fly. Our

10 ONE COMMUNITY