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Writer's pictureCalvin

In Good Hands

It’s good to give back. After all, it’s what makes the world go around.


But, I discovered that giving back can help myself as well. After all, I literally feel good when I’m helping others. When I am volunteering, when I am contributing to society, when I am giving back to the community, my brain creates certain kind of chemicals (dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin?).


And it makes you feel good - both physically and mentally. So, sometimes I don’t even see it as giving back. I see it simply as a sense of enjoyment.


Don’t get me wrong. Giving back is noble. And it’s a good mentality to have. But at the end of the day, it’s just a mindset.


And mindsets can change with the flow of time. Dependent on your mood. Your environment. And all types of variables that we don’t have control over.


So does it mean it’s wrong to give back? That we shouldn’t give back at all to the community? Of course not.


Sometimes, when I go to my Toastmaster meetings, I think to myself that I need to help as many people as possible. To give back to a wonderful organization that’s helped me so much over these years.


To show the “new” people in our club the value that Toastmaster can hold. To contribute as much as possible to our bi-weekly meetings. And especially, to help the guests (that took the time and energy to come out to our meetings) have a good time.


So yes, in a sense I am giving back at Toastmasters. I am using my experience to help further a cause that is greater than myself.


Toastmasters, after all, is a non-profit organization that depends on the service of its volunteers to sustain its mission (of helping its members improve their communication skills in a supportive environment).


But many times, I get the wonderful feeling that I’m not alone in my efforts. I see my fellow club members putting in their time and energy to further the same cause.


I see them helping to greet the newcomers. I see them putting on a smiling face when they get the chance to go on stage to speak. I see them helping newer members with their respective roles. I see them talking and befriending the guests during the intermission.

And yes, I see myself doing my best to play my part as well.


Outside of club meetings, I see the constant emails that are exchanged among our officer team - to ensure a smooth and successful year.


I see our Vice President of Education planning ahead the goals for the year - to make sure that all our members are on track with their growth.


I see the Vice President of Public Relations updating our club website to ensure that we generate interest and that new guests continue to check out the benefits of Toastmasters.


I see the Sergeant-at-Arms coming in early before everyone else to get our room set up for our bi-weekly 2 hour meetings.


I see the little things that members with no official titles do for each other to help ensure for a positive and supportive meeting.


I see so much effort and goodness. I see everyone contributing. And I can’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. A sense of ease. A sense that this organization is (and will be) in good hands. That the Toastmasters mission is alive and well.


In fact, I don’t even have to go into these meetings with a mindset of “giving” “back” anymore. I can just play my part and enjoy these meetings for the sake of fun. No need to strain. No hard work. Just simple enjoyment.


And sometimes, I can’t help but extend this feeling towards the entire world itself.


Many times, we only see the constant dread that the news has to offer. The declining environment. The deaths. The disease. The politics. All of it. And I’m not going to argue with this.


But, we - often times - don’t see a lot of the good in the world these days. The simple and little things.


Like the members at my Toastmasters club and community - contributing to a wonderful cause of bettering communication skills. There are many people like that in all different areas of life.


There are the people that care about climate change. Those that are fighting for income parity and cultural equality. Those striving for improved mental health and inner well-being. Those researching for a cure to cancer. And on and on.


All the magnificent people in the world that are trying their best to not just make their own ends meet, but to make a positive impact into the world they live in today.


It’s kind of corny. But I can’t help but feel that the world itself is already in good hands. I can’t help but feel sometimes that at the end of it all. Everything will be okay. And we’ll be alright.

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