When Tarion Talks, our Toastmasters Club, opened its doors to us over three years ago, it opened the door to opportunity, possibility and, my favourite, creative expression.

Many of us have benefitted from the Toastmasters experience here at Tarion, especially those who have stayed with the program, in terms of improved skills in communication, leadership, social and for some of us, even acting skills.

For me, Toastmasters has given me the confidence and a platform from which to give voice to the words that I had harboured in my heart for so long. Words that needed to be spoken. Poems that needed to be shared. And in doing so, it was as if I heard the sound of my voice for the very first time. And I liked it. Sure, it may have a bit of an accent, and it may sound like I’m speaking Greek at times, but Tarion, that’s because I am speaking Greek!

Giving wings to the words and watching them fly from my heart to yours has been a truly inspiring and liberating experience and a dream come true for me. For this, I am grateful.

Public speaking is an art form and it can be learned – with skill, with practice. It will give you the confidence you need to achieve whether in your personal life or your working life.

So, if you are not a member yet, why not? It is fun, it is free and it is at your doorstep. You will be surprised at what you may discover about yourself and how much you can achieve.

Tarion, the spoken word, when it rings true, is pure magic. It has the power to transform us and yes, even transport us to higher ground from which there is no telling how high we can fly.