My Toastmasters Speech: The Real Secret of Winning

Hi,

Do you want to know the secret of Winning? Do you want to know the REAL secret of winning?

You would have all heard many Secrets of Winning, but let me share with you the REAL secret.

Gd evening Mr. President, Toastmaster of the Evening, fellow toastmasters and friends.

Once when I was in Primary School, on the eve of children’s day, we were having sports day and many of my fellow students and friends who had participated were getting prizes for their participation. While looking at these, my sister and I started to feel sad that we were not getting prizes.

After the event, my sister and I walked home. My mother was waiting for us at the lift landing. When my sister and I saw her, we ran to her crying. My loving mother, hugged and consoled us.

“Amma, all our friends got prizes and we didn’t get anything” I told my mum and continued crying more than my sister.

“It’s ok. I will get you prizes. Don’t cry.” Said my mum My sister stopped crying but me I was still crying . . Okay I may have been a cry baby.

My mother looked at me and smiled. Then she said, “My boy, How do you expect to get a prize if you have not even participated ??? if you had participated, then you would had won prizes. Let’s go home. Don’t cry.” Her gentle words calmed me and reduced my tears.

That night, what she said rang in my mind... “…if you had participated…”

Participation, ladies and gentlemen.. How could I have won a prize if I did not even participate.?!

Then, when I was in Primary 6, we had a song competition among our classmates organised by my Tamil teacher. I had prepared hard and well for the competition, singing in front of my parents and sister. When I went to the front of the classroom, I started to feel a little nervous. I controlled it and sang the chorus. When I was a quarter way through, I paused. (action : as if I forgotten the song) This is what I did. I knew the song well, but still I somehow seemed to have forgotten the song. Then mumbled the rest of the song fast and went back to my seat. My sister stared at me – I looked back at her blankly. Nervousness and Fear got the better of me - I did not win anything too.

How could I ? I was disappointed. I had participated and yet I did not win a prize. What happened.? I did prepare well but on the day it counts I did not deliver my best.

After that experience I didn’t get any chance to sing on stage until I reached Junior college. This time – my experience from my earlier days told me participating and preparing well is not enough - I needed to be focused and give my Best And you know what – I started to win prizes.

Ladies and gentlemen, when we mix all the necessary ingredients and bake a cake, the outcome that satisfies us is when the cake turns out Great! That’s the winning feeling.

Participation is only the first step to winning. The icing on the cake is winning the prize! So what is the Real secret of winning …? Doing YOUR BEST!

So ladies and gentlemen – to put yourself on the road to winning – participate, take part, be involved – whatever the endeavour is And when you are participating make sure you are giving your best That is the wholly baked cake which many times tastes better even without icing.

Now I have the winner mindset because now I just don’t participate, but also ensure I do my best.

Will you do your best too? Toastmasters of the evening

(November 2007)

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

My Toastmasters Speech: The Positive Why

Hi,

Why? Why ? Why?

Why am I here? Why? Am I doing the project today ..?

Gd evening to the club president , fellow toastmasters and friends … Ladies and Gentlemen, have you ever wondered WHY ? asking positive WHY is important?

“To be or not to be.. that is the question”, according to Shakespeare, but “Why” is the more important question.

How many times today did you ask “why” that will lead you to a positive outcome? What did you feel after asking it ?

The positive “why” is a powerful question and it is the mother all of inventions and discoveries. If Galileo Galilee, Benjamin Franklin, Sir Isaac Newton, Thomas Alva Edison, Michael Faraday, Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell and many other scientists and inventors had not kept on asking “why” after “why”, then we will still be living in caves in the dark looking at each other. If Sir Stamford Raffles and then Mr Lee Kwan Yew have not asked that positive “why”, then Singapore will still be a fishing village and way smaller than what it is actually today.

If I had not asked that positive “why”, then I would not had taken the first step to join the Toastmaster Club and speak in front of you.

Do you know that by asking a positive “why”, we can make our lives better ? Let me share with you the POWER of asking positive Why?

Isaac Asimov and Sir Arthur C. Clarke mentioned in their numerous science-fiction stories about man-like robots, (Cyborgs) ruling the world one day. That fiction has already become true and we have been seeing the cyborgs for many years now living, breathing and eating among us. I am talking about the many of us hom we know who, have been going through the motion and carrying on their same old daily routines happily day in day out without questioning or pausing to ask a positive “why” to see that important improvements in their lives and those around them.

Why are we doing this way ? Why can’t it be done another way ? Why must we speak in this way? Why is he or she behaving this way to us ? Why are we behaving such to others? Why why why ?

Just by asking “why”, your mind becomes curious and keeping up the curiosity will lead your brain / mind to work on getting the solutions. That process not only keeps your brain and mind active but your whole body healthy.

When you ask “why”, it is important that it should lead you to a more positive outcome than a negative one. If you ask “Why must I be alive?” and start to plan for suicide, then that is a “ negative why”. Instead, if you ask “Why can’t I have a better live?”, then this will lead you to thinking of ways to make you a more positive person and leading you to achieve your goals in life.

Now we know asking ourselves positive "Why?"s Can bring about positive changes that can improve the life for us and those around us.

Lets keep our inquisitive part of our mind active always – asking why? Is not only for the child – but for the child in all of us!

So, ladies and gentleman ask “why” and the truth for a better living shall be revealed to you as the truth is out there for you to discover and benefit.

Why Do I have to end my speech now?

Toastmasters of the evening

(August 2007)

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

My Toastmasters Speech: My Most Favourite Course

Hi,

We have all been attending courses throughout our lives. Some courses, we like. Some courses, we don’t like. Some courses, we are forced to attend. Some courses, we are willing to attend. Some are expensive and some are very affordable. Some we pay out of our pockets (cash, credit card, cheque or NETS) and some are sponsored.

I, too, have attended numerous courses. Many are for free which means the investment is time and energy. Of all the courses I have attended so far, there is this course which I have grown to like, so much that it has become my most favourite course. Sexual Intercourse you may think, but that is my second most favourite course, and after marriage, it has been only with my wife. So, what is this favourite course?

I have been attending this course since the day I was made to realise that it is to be treated as a course and not a stress or burden. Although, I started to accept it as a course only after some enlightenments by some people like my parents, especially my mother, some of my teachers, friends, situations and recently some books and visual media. Only recently, I have started to like and have fun with this course.

This course has many modules and tests after tests. It is stressful sometimes. It is enjoyable other times. You need to pay for some of the modules and some modules are free. Some modules and accompanying tests can cause so much stress and pain that sometimes, it may lead one to the extreme end of life – death to himself/herself or others near him/her.

I remember watching this Batman cartoon where he will answer to his sidekick on a particular incident, “When there is a will, there is a way.” That is the mantra I say to myself when I encounter such challenging modules and tests of the course. That mantra, too, I started to apply only after the year 2001 when I had a heart-breaking love break-off and being unemployed for a year after encountering my first retrenchment.

I encountered two subsequent retrenchments too and still I carried on with the course taking other modules and tests. Sometimes I do fail my tests and had to retake the tests. That have many times gave me better results than before. That is how I got my lovely wife. That is how I met and got linked with great friends like Zafar. That is how I am where I am now talking to you.

When will I graduate form this course ? Well, there is still a very long way to go and that time will come one day. Until then I have to complete some other modules and tests I am being presented to.

What is this course I am taking about? You would have guessed by now. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my most favourite course is called "Experience".

We all have experiences and it has many modules and accompanying tests. So, we can pass and get over them only when we learn a thing or two from them. If not we maybe required to retake them.

I have come to a point and realisation that experience is good and that is invaluable course that life have given to me.

(March 2007)

Best regards

Kumaran RN

Thank you Zafar H and Toastmasters Club

Hi,

Its been a long time since I updated this blog of mine. I was caught up with my facebook account and the updates and article/thoughts sharing were happening there. It still continues there but I thought of maintaining my blog continuously too especially for those who do not have a facebook account or not in my "Friends" list.

I thought of sharing some my toastmasters club speeches that I had delivered during my stint at Whampoa Toastmasters Club (Singapore). Toastmasters club is something I will strongly recommend to anyone who wants to improve his or her communication skills and their confidence in communicating. It helped me so much and all thanks to my communications guru Zafar H who himself is an award-winning speaker and an active toastmasters club member and participant for many years now. I did not continue due to my work schedules and personal commitment but I am always grateful to Zafar and toastmasters club for improving my communication skills, the confidence in delivering a speech and off-the-cuff (table-topics) speeches especially when caught off-guard. The evaluation skills I learnt in toastmasters club is excellent too and I still follow their "Evaluate to Motivate" motto when I have to evaluate someone - formally or informally.

Though I only completed 6 projects and had 4 more to attain the Competent Toastmaster title, I am confident that I will join a club in the new future and completed all the 10 projects even if I have to redo the first 6 projects again. I will be more than glad to do it.

In my following blog posts, I will share my past speeches.

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

First Time Acting Experience on TV

Hi,

I have had acted in small stage skits (during Junior College days, in 1990 and 1991, as writer, director and actor)and two full-length stage drama (one in 1997 as a writer, director and actor and the other in 2006 as actor only in a major part as the hero's comedy friend). I have also been featured in a couple of interviews on current affairs programmes on TV, but on 22 August 2010, I was requested by my friend and casting manager of Royal Productions Kevin Rajasekar to act on TV for a drama based on true-live stories entitled, "Theerpugal" (Judgements).

I acted as one of the parents of the hero (a student who stabs his lecturer and commits suicide). It was a new experience for me and my screen pair Ms Sheeda. We did our best and I thank her for being co-operative, sporting, committed and doing her part well too although at a couple of times I made some bloopers by saying the wrong dialogues making everyone laugh. It was suppose to be a very emotional and anger-mixed scene.

Sheeda had the most difficult task of forcing tears in her eyes by using the Axe-brand medicated oil and some water. My role was that of an angry father who, together with Sheeda (my screen wife), confront a lecturer for the loss of our screen son who committed suicide in the campus.

Shots were done at different angles and we also had to wait for about 3 hours before our parts were shot. Kudos to the director Mr Viknesh who was calm and encouraging. Kevin was encouraging too by giving us tips with Mr Viknesh.

I am more comfortable as being a script writer for short films as a hobby and maybe direct a short film (which I am yet to begin although a couple of my scripts are in progress to be made into short-films thanks to Sam Guna of DSMedia and Kevin), but to act on screen, well.. now I know the difficulty the actors really face.

The show will be screened on Vasantham channel on Tuesday 31 August 2010 at 10pm. I am eager to see how I have performed. I will also try to record it with my video camera and post it on my my facebook.

I am really excited :)

Will I act more if there are offers ? well, if only time permits as work and family are my first priorities. Acting and script writing are hobbies that i enjoy doing especially screenplay writing.

I just wanted to record this new experience of mine on this blog :)

Best regards.

Kumaran RN

Back again

Hi....

It is nice to be back to this blog of mine again after some time.

Within this period some changes have happened, but all for good and they are positive ones.

Important of all is me starting on my screenplay writing for short-films. I have managed to link up with a small production company contact for that and at least that will help me to think more and encourage me to write more too. I have embarked it as just a hobby for the moment. Apart from my existing screenplays, I have written one for an animation short-film too.. my first time. Hope it turns out well on screen on day.

I am also working on another screenplay dealing with financial needs : with a message to say. I hope to complete it by the end of the month. I have planned for a comedy script too.

Anyway, apart form that, I have been learning more spiritual matters too. Without me asking, I have received wonderful books like Vishnu Puranam, Sridevi Baagavatham, Siva Puranam and information about the 6 temples (aarupadi veedu) of Lord Murugan. Really informative and enriching.

I also learned about the basics of chakras and auras. I still have lots to learn about them.

Hope I can share my knowledge on whatever I learnt to the younger generation and others who have interest in such spiritual matters.

Best regards.
Kumaran RN

The Triple Sai Avatars

Hi,

The following is an interesting article I received via email :-

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"Om Sri Sai Ram"

TRIPLE SAI AVATAR

The Sai Avatar (re-incarnation - God in human form) is a trinity of avatars. The first Sai Baba incarnation was Shirdi Sai Baba. The second (and present Sai Baba) is Sathya Sai Baba. The third and final avatar will be Prema Sai Baba. The three avatars carry the triple message of work, worship, and wisdom.

It may seem as though each Sai Baba is "different" however they are all the same great "atma" (soul). Only the body of each avatar is different as the soul and the spiritual powers are the same. Unless the divine comes with a form, no one can develop faith in the Formless. The divine in human form is the preparation for comprehending the formless Absolute.

1.. The first avatar (Shirdi Sai Baba) was for revealing divinity (Incarnation of Shiva)

2.. The second avatar (Sathya Sai Baba) is to awaken the divinity in human beings (Incarnation of Shiva and Shakti)

3.. The final avatar (Prema Sai Baba) will be for propagating divinity (Incarnation of Shakti) Shirdi Sai Baba

Shirdi Sai Baba
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The first of the triple Sai Avatar, Shirdi Sai Baba's birth took place on September 28, 1835 in India. He first appeared as a young man in the village of Shirdi, wearing the garb of a wandering Muslim renunciate, known as a "fakir". After a few years in the jungle of the surrounding area, living very simply and begging for good, He eventually settled down in Shirdi.

Shirdi is where Sai Baba became well known and amassed a following of devotees,both Hindu and non-Hindu. He taught complete surrender and devotion to God in whatever name and form the devotee wishes to worship. He also performed many miracles and healed the sick. He would cure diseases with the use of "udhi" (sacred ash). The udhi came from His ever-burning "dhuni" (fire) which is continuously burning even to this day. Shirdi Sai Baba laid the base for secular integration and gave mankind the message of duty as work.

Shirdi Sai Baba left his body in 1918 declaring that He will reincarnate again in 8 years. His prophecy came true as the second Sai Avatar (Sathya Sai Baba) took birth in 1926.

Devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba flock to the city of Shirdi, located in the state of Maharashtra, India to have darshan of Shirdi Sai Baba's "samadhi" (place where His body was put after death). In Shirdi one can also see where Shirdi Sai Baba used to live and meet devotees.

Please view http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org for more information on
Shirdi Sai Baba.

Sathya Sai Baba
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Sathya Sai Baba is the second of the triple Sai Avatar. Sathya Sai Baba was born as Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23, 1926 in the village of Puttaparthi in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Sathya Sai Baba is alive today and primarily resides in His ashram in Puttaparthi known as "Prashanti Nilayam" (Abode of Highest Peace).

The purpose of both the Shirdi Sai and Sathya Sai avatars are the same. Only, the need to transform the modern wisdom has now become more imminent. In the previous Shirdi avatar, the emphasis was more on community, now it is on the individual; then the message was given to comparatively few, now all are welcome to it.

The mission of the present avatar is to make everybody realize that the same God or divinity resides in everyone. People should respect, love, and help each other irrespective of colour or creed. Thus, all work can become a way of worship.

To learn more about Sathya Sai Baba, please visit our webpage on Sri Sathya Sai Baba. You can also visit http://www.sathyasai.org or http://www.srisathyasai.org.in.

Prema Sai Baba
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Prema Sai Baba is the announced third and final avatar in the trinity of Sai incarnations. He will be born in India, in the state of Karnataka after Sathya Sai Baba leaves the body at the age of 96.

Prema Sai Baba will promote the evangel news that not only does God reside in everybody, but everybody is God. That will be the final wisdom that will enable every man and woman to go to God.

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Best regards.
Kumaran RN