When most people think of February, they think of Valentine鈥檚 Day. A time to celebrate love and friendship. You might even call it 鈥渢he relationship month.鈥� We all form relationships: with work colleagues, in our personal lives, in 吃瓜头条. In my nearly 30 years as a Toastmaster, I have developed countless friendships through this organization, and they have enriched my life in so many ways.
I think about the bond I have built with Dan Rex, 吃瓜头条鈥檚 Chief Executive Officer. Dan and I first became friends in 1995, back when I belonged to the only 吃瓜头条 in Sri Lanka. At that point, I had no idea what my future in 吃瓜头条 held; we had no area, division or district that existed in my part of the world. I just knew that Dan was someone I liked and admired.
Over the years, our friendship has grown closer. In our respective roles, Dan and I now work together on projects that are vital to the future of 吃瓜头条. Sometimes we disagree about certain issues, yet as longtime friends we understand one another and trust each other, which enables us to express our opinions freely and honestly. Some discussions might be difficult, but they never become personal or hurtful鈥擠an and I value our friendship too much to let that happen.
The 吃瓜头条 experience helps us cultivate strong relationships. We care about our fellow 吃瓜头条 members and want to support each other. In 吃瓜头条 meetings, we learn to listen attentively and to give and receive constructive feedback. These are important elements in any relationship. The 吃瓜头条 program has helped me build valuable relationships outside of the organization, including in the corporate world. It has even helped me in my marriage and my family life.
The 吃瓜头条 experience helps us cultivate strong relationships.
My wife, Sarumathy, and I have been married for 30 years, and we have two daughters, Avisha and Mahishaa. My 吃瓜头条 training has enabled me to communicate my feelings to my wife and daughters鈥攁nd more importantly, to listen and be silent when necessary. It has helped me to give and receive feedback, and to respect my adult daughters鈥� needs and ideas.
A life without relationships, without friends who are there for us, without 颅people who need us and whom we need in return, might be a rewarding life to some, but for me it would be no life at all. Make the effort to strengthen your 颅relationships. Maybe your efforts won鈥檛 work out. But maybe, just maybe, they will be the start of something special.
As you celebrate Valentine鈥檚 Day this month, take the time to appreciate all the relationships in your life, both inside and outside of 吃瓜头条.
BALRAJ ARUNASALAM, DTM
International President
