The 3 E's

 When I first joined Toastmasters my first speech, as is for all new members, was my icebreaker. An icebreaker is where you introduce yourself to the club and share how you would like to be remembered. In some ways it is the easiest speech and the toughest speech, all at the same time. It is the easiest because the topic is you and you are the expert - easy to remember and uncontroversial because it is all about you

But in some ways it is also the hardest. How do you define yourself, how do you narrow down the details of your life to fit 4-6 minutes. Don't sweat, there will be other icebreakers as you navigate the paths of TM. But I believe the first answer that comes to mind usually is best. So the answer to that first question - who are you? - is what comes to mind first.

That's how I came up with my "3 E's" speech. Explore, Experiment, Express. Those are the three words that define me most. I love to explore - both physical space and mental and experiential knowledge.  I love to experiment - try new things (food and otherwise) , do things a different way, and combine elements (chemistry and food mainly) to find out what happens. And I am a expressive person, even for an introvert. I enjoy expressing to others what I am thinking or what is going on with me, through music and/or words, in order to help people grow, feel accepted, and challenged.

Musing on those 3 leads me to articulate what I see as the purpose for this blog. I want to help you expand your mind and your horizons. I want to inspire you to explore without fear. To experiment with abandon And I want you to be able to express who you are, help others to see that, and to affirm yourself and your self worth. All of us have stories to tell, you need to tell them, and the world needs to hear them.

And hopefully I can use this blog and the comments to do inspire you. Don't let anyone tell you what you can or can't do. Be yourself and be proud of it.