Club President’s Opening Address 26 June 2021 – Kampong Ubi Toastmasters Club  (by Jun Allego)

I have a confession to make.
Recently, my life has been the stark contrast of how I want it to be. To put it simply, it’s the new normal.

In the past, I plan my days and weeks around my work. These days, I plan around my daughter.
In the past, I plan my opening speeches. These days, I plan my alibis to my daughter to join our meetings.
In the past, I plan my time to get up. These days, my daughter decides when it’s time to get up.

My life has never been the same!
I thought that I’m not in control anymore and that I should take action sooner than later.
There is this inner battle of thoughts like a tennis match and it’s growing louder and louder.
Some days started to feel good and some days doesn’t. In my life predictability and flexibility became things in the past.

Rather than allowing myself to feel overwhelmed and helpless like a baby, I took a step back to reflect.
In the process of reflecting, I learnt from those around me some best practices in dealing with the changes constructively.

Accepted the change

Instead of fighting the change head on, I learnt that I would fare better to accept it. Accepting that this is going to be another chapter of life. And If I were to keep growing, I have to embrace the new challenges that came with it. Acceptance gave me a better frame of mind to deal with my daily affairs around my daughter.

Adapted to the change

When my mind is right, I was in a better position to carry on and that was when I adapted to the change. Adapting allowed me to unravel obvious possibilities and green opportunities. I discovered working out in a nearby park to be far more time effective compared to going to the gym. I found cycling as an appealing alternative to running. I experienced more joy in the little things with my daughter such as seeing her grow everyday and sending her to school. Adapting to these changes have brought more colours to my life on a canvas.

Appreciated the change

Organising myself in the mids of chaos led me to a new found routine such as my baby like and more predictable sleeping pattern. My meetings at work are now plotted precisely, my meal times aren’t as erratic as it used to be and I’m exercising regularly.

These changes that I used to fight have given me a new lifestyle that is more organised and even more methodical.
These changes have allowed me to find joy in the little things that didn’t seem to matter before.
These changes have made me a new me.

Ladies and gentlemen, we all go through different changes in our life. Some are daunting and some are less exciting.
It’s okay if things doesn’t seem to be what we expect them to be.
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and immobilised.
It’s okay to start something new, a new routine, a new habit and a new perspective.

And you too can fare well if you choose to ACCEPT, ADAPT AND APPRECIATE.

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If you want to overcome stage fright and learn to speak with confidence, join a toastmasters club.  You are welcome to visit our Kampong Ubi Toastmasters Club if you are living in Singapore.