A laid back theme that speaks about life in simple terms can be a great theme for a Sunday afternoon meeting or a meet during a holiday. TM Swati from Chennai has us covered. Below is such a theme with simple ideas expressed in simple words. Have a look.
LIFE IS ABOUT HAVING FUN
Steve Jobs has said “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do”
At the very outset, let me tell you this is crap. It’s true that some people achieve great heights while doing things they love – sportsperson, movie stars, alcohol manufacturers and of course Steve Jobs. But not everyone is blessed. There has to be someone who sits behind the counter at the convenience store, or deliver our amazon courier or write codes for the next billion dollar start up. And while these may not be the ideal dream jobs, millions of people around the world depend on them.
Having said that, this does not mean it robs people of all opportunities to have fun in their lives. I for one am not living my dream job of being a pilot but there is one simple thing that helps me retain the fun in my life – reading a good book. I find immense joy in immersing myself in a world of fantasy, fiction, romance, suspense. Sometimes I find resonance with the feelings of the protagonist but sometime I identify myself with the antagonist. There are times when I get ideas to deal with issues in my life and there was this one time when I passed on some beautiful lines I found in a book as my own to impress people. So while my job is not the most exciting in the world, reading a book gives me a window to escape to an altogether different life and that I would say is a great way to have fun in my life.
Well if that took you to a different world, let me nudge you back to our Toastmasters meeting because living in the present is one way to have fun in your life as well. For the benefit of the guest, let me tell you how a Toastmaster meeting functions. Every Toastmasters meeting is divided into three parts. The first part is the Prepared Speech section where our members prepare a 5 to 7 minute speech in advance, get it mentored and deliver the same. The second part is the fun and exciting Table Topic Session where anyone can speak for 1 to 2 minutes on a topic given by our Table Topic Master. And the last part is the evaluation session where our General Evaluator will give a comprehensive report on the entire meeting. On that note, let me invite our General Evaluator for the day TM Name.
Once the GE is done explaining his role, invite the Prepared Speakers. After this session, continue with the theme as under.
As I said, reading a good book is one way I have fun in my life. But not everyone enjoys reading. However, everyone does have a hobby. Playing a sport, dancing, musical instrument, even coding – these are some of the most common hobbies that many people enjoy doing. Yours can be something unique – like metal detecting, or tai chi or perhaps standup comedy. Whatever it is, these are activities that we do in our leisure time and they can add meaning to our lives. In fact, people who are too passionate about their hobbies end up making successful carriers out of them. Moreover your hobbies can also be great activities to keep you engaged post your retirement. So if you already have a hobby – that’s excellent, pursue it. If not, find one that excites you. And if standup comedy happens to be your pick, you are already in a great place – Toastmasters. On that note, it’s time for the second session of the day – the Table Topic Session. Please help me invite the Table Topic Master for the day TM Name.
Once the Table Topic session is over, continue with the theme as under.
Apart from hobbies, there is one another activity that helps you live a full life – travelling. It is said that if we were meant to be in one place, we would be trees. Travelling not only brings about a change in your mundane life but gives you new perspectives to see things and more importantly stories to tell. Do you recall that friend who just returned from an exotic trip and couldn’t stop talking about it? Well, when you travel, you do so too. Even the Dalai Lama says “Once a year, go someplace you have never been before” And clearly there could have been no person better then Dalai Lama himself to give you a suggestion about living your life. So if there is a place you always wanted to go or you have a friend who couldn’t stop talking about their vacation, take note and plan a trip of your own.
For now, let us invite the General Evaluator foe the day to present his report. TM Name
Once the evaluation session is over, conclude the theme as under.
Fellow Toastmasters, these were some of the easiest ways I could think of to live a life that’s fun. But clearly the list is not exhaustive. You can have your own ways to achieve it. Some may find happiness in social work, others in creating something and for some, it may be doing something for their country. Choose whatever suits you but if you haven’t found it already, take some time in introspecting, perhaps go on a vacation to find it and once you find it, live a life that’s fun.
It’s time now for the awards.
Thank you TM Swati for this wonderful submission.
If you have a script for any role in Toastmasters, do let us know here. For more ideas on TMOD themes, look here.
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