'Connect with people for happiness'

Ramona Smith, who was named the 2018 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, addressed the UAE Toastmasters community of over 3,000 members at the Emirates Headquarters on Friday.
The 31-year-old Afro-American high-school teacher from Houston, outdid more than 30,000 other speakers from around the world over the six-month World Championship of Public Speaking competition, which is known as the Olympics of public speaking and the largest of its kind.
Smith, who is on her maiden visit to the UAE, inspired the audience with her winning speech in which she talked about how she was afraid people would laugh at her or that she would look stupid if committed to the role of a speaker.
When asked about what made her a public speaking champion, Smith said: "I think it was the message I gave out which everyone could relate to - which is about life's struggles, challenges and obstacles. We all encounter struggles, but, inspite of the blows life gives us, we have to figure our way out how to stay in the ring, and you can do that if you have people you love around you."
Talking about her happiness mantra, Smith said: "Connecting with people is something that is essential for creating and spreading happiness. Make genuine bonds and learn more about different cultures and how to embrace diversity.
Everyone should find their happiness and what is that one thing that makes you smile and warms your heart. Don't be afraid to indulge, dive in, take time out to relax, and don't cheat yourself of your happiness but treat yourself."
Smith went from a Toastmaster beginner to a global champion in a just four years of joining the community. In her winning speech titled 'Still Standing,' Smith used the metaphor of a boxing match to explore how she overcame adversity at three points of her life - dropping out of college, divorcing her husband, and failing on the speaking circuit. Each moment was another 'round' in the boxing match and delivered a message of how each moment had impacted her life.
Throughout her seven-minute speech, Smith assumed the role of a boxer, she shimmied across the stage, threw jabs, hooks and crosses at her imaginary opponent, and even mimicked getting punched in the face to drive home the pain she felt throughout her life.
Talking on what helped her become world champion, Smith said: "When you join a competition don't do it only to win but go out there and have fun, be yourself and be comfortable in your own skin. Be exactly who you are."
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
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