Facing fear: Halloween night of courage at local Toastmasters

The theme of fear at the last meeting of Mullingar Toastmasters took many forms – fear of ghosts, of public speaking, and the quiet fear that’s part of being a stranger living in a strange land. While fear is most often seen as a barrier, at Toastmasters it serves as a bridge. A bridge across languages, cultures, and people who might not otherwise meet.

Over the last few years, Mullingar Toastmasters has transformed into a tableau of voices that hail from around the corner, around the country, and around the world. Members and guests from South Africa, Mexico, the United States, Germany, India, and Ukraine join their Irish counterparts in bringing unique stories, accents, and perspectives to every meeting.

Their differences make the group that much stronger, and all have come to realise that courage sounds the same in every language.

Among the guests at the last meeting was the Babyish family from Ukraine. In the midst of rebuilding their lives far from home, Yurii, felt no fear as he stood up in front of a room of new faces and thoughtfully answered an impromptu question posed to him by club president Philip Howlin.

It took bravery to stand in front of a roomful of strangers and speak in a new language, and Yurii received sustained applause, not only for the words he spoke, but also for the courage behind him and his family. It’s a safe bet that every member and guest in attendance found a bit of their own voices in his.

Who knew such a modest meeting room in Mullingar could lead to such mighty outcomes?

The next meeting of Mullingar Toastmasters is at 8pm on November 13 at the Greville Arms Hotel.

Guests are always welcome, so if you would like to attend, get in touch on Facebook or by email at mullingartoastmasters@gmail.com to learn more.