
When our relatively new member, Aprille Isham, took the Toastmaster role for the first time this month, she asked me for my advice. I didn’t want to give her wrong information by telling her what I knew by heart, so I relearned the role. While I was reviewing the Toastmaster’s scope and tasks, I remembered what it was like when I took the role for the first time.
In Japan, we say “Don’t forget the beginner’s humility.” When you are a beginner, you try hard to do better, but as time passes, you tend (more or less) to lose your aspirations. Even when you cut corners, your experience make you look like you’re doing a decent job, but in reality, you’re not growing. It’s important to remember how green you were in the beginning and remind yourself from time to time of the humble intentions that you used to have. It makes you realize how far you have come and that you still have room to grow.
Aprille, thank you for sharing your journey and giving me the opportunity to go back to the Beginner’s Spirit!