MY GIFT TO YOU From Karen Alexander, DTM Your District 58 Governor

      If I could give each and every one of you a gift this holiday season, I might choose to give the special gift of self-esteem. Carrying this gift in you will open avenues of awareness and assurance. This internal ability to approach life with confidence will afford you opportunities you may not even have imagined.
      Or perhaps I might choose to give you travels to new destinations and explorations into new areas not yet considered. Experience never anticipated that would expand your knowledge and understanding of the world around you. This gift may allow you to discover something new and incredible or learn more about that which is already somewhat familiar.
      Or maybe the gift for you is friendship. I truly value my own friends. Those individuals who multiply joy, divide grief, and have the ability to bring out the best in us. Some make a difference by coming into and out of our lives in brief moments of time. Others make a difference by choosing to stay for a while and learn about us. Still others come to be the long-lasting friends who seem to take the time to know us well, yet love us anyway. Each friend is a treasured gift. Each makes an impact on our lives, an impression on our very souls.
      And I will choose to give. I do have these gifts for you. Although they are not exactly mine to give -- they are yours to receive and to share. You see, these gifts are available each time you attend and participate in your Toastmaster's club meeting.
      As you assume any one of the meeting roles, you learn and grow, gaining confidence in your own abilities and intelligence. As you prepare and present your speech assignments you learn that you do have something worth saying and something others do want to hear. As you compete in contests and take the challenge of leadership, you find new strength within. All of these experiences add to the gift of self-esteem. You just have to be there to receive.
      As you listen to the diverse experiences of your fellow club members, you will be afforded the gift to explore areas of study and regions that you may have never discovered. As you plan your own projects you may even give yourself a new prospective of an old encounter. As you meet some of the other members of this worldwide organization, those from other parts of this state, from other states across this vast country, and even from other countries, your mind will have the chance to travel to new and unique destinations. See what travels will take place if you just open your mind and your heart.
      And as you become a part of your club, your area, your division, and your district, you will have countles opportunities to give and to receive the gift of friendship. You will meet new friends and develop interesting and important relationships. As you grow, learn, and share yourself, you will indeed find out why our International President, Joanna McWilliams, has chosen to say that Toastmasters are friends helping friends succeed.
      Thank you, Toastmasters District 58, for allowing me this opportunity to serve as your District Governor. Thank you for sharing your own special gifts with me. Thank you for sharing your own special gifts with me. Thank you as you continue to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in District 58.
      Wishing you a safe and happy holiday,

Karen