Monday, December 26, 2011

Dealing With a Full Deck

Greetings Happy People!!

Hi.

My name is Jesse. I am 36 years old. I live in Las Vegas.

And I am learning how to shuffle cards.

Yes, it is true. In the land of roulette wheels, poker machines, and blackjack tables, I am a living example on how some people in Vegas still cannot handle a deck of cards.

When it comes to shuffling and dealing a deck of cards, I was so bad that as soon as I get my hands on a deck, it would explode on me. The good part about this was how I got some of the cards to land on the table. It is safe to say that you will not find me working behind a table at any casino on the strip.

My future in-laws felt my pain. This Christmas, they gave me one of those automatic card shufflers. It works nicely and I love it. But sooner or later, I have to face the fact that I got to shuffle these cards on my own.

Today, I was about to play an exciting game of nertz at my soon to be in-laws house (click here to find out what nertz is). As I sat at the table, I forgot to bring one important thing with me, MY AUTOMATIC CARD SHUFFLER!! GASP!!

Oh no!! What am I going to do, Happy People??!!

With great trepidation, I put my hands on the deck of cards split them in half, and did my best to shuffle my deck of cards. How did I do? Well, for starters, all the cards were on the table. I did not do anything fancy type of shuffling like those professionals do. Instead, I shuffled the cards by using the end edges and everything came out okay!! YAY!!

It was an amazing feeling to finally know how to shuffle cards on my own!! This is a better experience than learning to tie a tie!!

With my motivation, I played the game of nertz and I.....got beat like a dirty shirt. Oh well, it was a learning experience nonetheless.

There are still people that are unable to do certain things. If one decides to take on something they have not tried before, they are one step ahead of someone that has never tried at all. Taking that first step at anything is essential  in becoming better at what a person wants to do. It may look humiliating or embarrassing the first go around. But with time, effort, and never giving up, anyone can become a pro.

Will I ever become a pro at shuffling a deck of cards? Not now. But if I keep moving forward, I will become better than what I used to be.

What about you? Are you willing to become better than what you are right now?

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Just Face It

Greetings Happy People,

If you're tired of running away,
Just Face It.

If you're having a very bad day,
Just Face It.

When times get rough and bad luck call
Having those fears that you will fall
Because you chose to have the gall,
Just Face It.

For times you want to hang your head,
Just Face It.

For times you felt beyond afraid,
Just Face It.

When certain people let you down
You shed your tears and want to frown
Wishing you hide below the ground,
Just Face It.

If you have days you want to fear,
Just Face It.

If you have worries for the year,
Just Face It.

When danger lurks in every way
Confusing you to your dismay
You look for words that's hard to say
Just Face It.

For times you want to close your eyes
Just Face It.

For masks you hide as your disguise
Just Face It.

When many lies seem all too true
Making you feel a little blue
You test what IS inside of you,
Just Face It.

Just Face It, Happy People.
Life is too short not to.

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Monday, December 19, 2011

S.U.C.K.E.R.S.

Greetings Happy People,

I have some great news to share with you Happy People!!

I am proud to say that I am going into my new latest venture!!

It will involve a globally dynamic marketing business that will transcend all communication to every man, woman, boy, girl, dog, and cat!!

This company will change the face, mind, and heart of this planet as it harbors the advancing technology of the future!!

Unlike many companies, this new venture will bring in the latest in fashion, video communication, beer making, and irreversible geo-thermal global warming.

What is this company called?

Well it is called the Self Universal Communication Kinetic Energy Revolutionary System.

 You can call it S.U.C.K.E.R.S. for short!!

 This company is so promising, even I don’t know what it actually does – and I’m the founder!!

All I can do is show you before and after comparisons pictures - like an ice cream truck vs. a Ferrari, a Motel 6 vs. Caesar’s Palace, or a shack in Bikini Atoll vs. a resort in Tahiti.

If that doesn’t work, I will confuse (I mean show) you some nice flowchart diagrams on how we can make money and split the dividends – 99.9999% for me and .0001% for you!!

To be a part of this unbelievable lifetime deal, all you have to do is give me $650 and sign an incredibly super fine print 25-page contract and you too will be on your way in making millions for S.U.C.K.E.R.S.

If I am lying, then let lightning hit me where I am sitting right now!! Hey, is it starting to rain in Vegas?

As you can tell, I am not going to start this type of venture. But the sad part is that there are various businesses that are popping up today that sell dreams and promises to people. Some are legitimate while others look, feel, smell, and ooze shady.

If you are not sure about a certain business deal someone is selling you, please do some research. You will be surprised with what you find. If it is good, then go for it. If not, then it’s okay to say no. Either way, it is your decision to make. All I can say is look before you leap. Life is too short to be one of the S.U.C.K.E.R.S.

That is all I have to say. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Sunday, December 18, 2011

It's Okay To Dance

Greetings Happy People,

Did you ever feel like dancing, especially if you are the only one that wants to do it?

Some people call it crazy. Others call it foolish. Thanks to last Thursday, I can call it a good time.

I was at a holiday party with my fiancee Dana and we were having a good time with her fellow co-workers. The place was elaborate, the food was good, and some of the speakers were great candidates, for a certain communication and leadership organization (wink wink).

As we were checking out this huge, fancy ballroom, Dana noticed a dance floor and she had that feeling. The type of feeling that said "I wanna get down."

At first, I was a bit hesitant. I noticed that the dance floor was empty and not too many people cared to dance. However, Dana wanted to dance to the music. After a little convincing from my beloved, I said "okay."

The first song was okay. The second song was getting a little better. By the time third song started, we were having a great time!! Dana was spinning around. I was doing an okay rendition of the Deion Sanders touchdown dance. When "Ice Ice Baby" played, I was doing my best Jim Carrey version of Vanilla Ice. Word to yo' mutha :o)

By this time, other people started to get on the dance floor. They were having a great time too!! When we were done, my heart beat a little faster and we were still getting down as we walked to the hallway.

Who knew that a little dance could end up being something big?

If you ever have the opportunity to dance, go for it Happy People!! It doesn't matter if it is a little wiggle or shaking the whole booty, you'd be surprised where it can take you!! Who knows?? Others may want to join you as you dance to the music. And that is a beat they can't touch!!

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Friday, December 16, 2011

Clean Toastmasters DO the Dirty Work!!

Greetings Happy People,

It seems to happen every Toastmaster year.

There is a group of people that want the glory, but do not want to do the real work behind it.

Whether it is a member, a club officer, or a District officer, these people always want something for nothing. On the surface, they see themselves as model Toastmasters. Underneath the surface is a whole different story.

And the results are not surprising at all. The clubs have low membership numbers. The areas and divisions are in shambles. The Districts would have low ranking numbers. And as they receive their respective awards, other hardworking Toastmasters would say “Really?” I have also seen District officers get removed by the District Governor during the year!!

Yet, these effortless people put on their drama masks and say, “What happened? It couldn’t be MY fault!!”

To those people, I shake my head and say “Think again!!”

Clean Toastmasters DO The Dirty Work!!

Instead of finding excuses on what happened, the "Clean Toastmasters" use any possible method, resource, plans, and means to make it work. If they fall, they will get up, learn their lessons, and keep moving forward. Their amazing amount of determination and grit will not only earn the awards, achievements, and accolades, but also the respect and inspiration of other Toastmasters that are watching.

Why are they respected so much? Because they are always willing to DO THE DIRTY WORK!! They have the courage to take the steps and make the action happen!! There may be that fear dwelling inside of them, but it goes away once they take action.

When I become District Governor next Toastmaster year, I hope to work with an amazing awesome percentage of “Clean Toastmasters.” They are the people I can rely on to do amazing things for the District. They are also the ones I can count on by ensuring that we do have Unity in the Community. When that happens, I know the District will be in good shape before the year even begins.

In the same breath, I also expect the people from the other side of the rainbow. For the sake of many people, I hope that they can see how important their roles are in serving their respective communities. If not, they WILL see in a whole different and much dimmer light.

Actions do speak louder than words, Happy People!! Clean Toastmasters DO the dirty work!!

If you are a Clean Toastmaster, keep doing what you are doing.

If not, you can still be one!!

If you CHOOSE not to be one, what’s YOUR excuse? I would like to hear it.

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

 Sincerely,

 Jesse I-I-I

Thursday, December 15, 2011

It's Not Crap

Greetings Happy People,

I am amazed by some people. Simply amazed.

In this world you are always going to have those haters. The type that always sees things in a negative light. The type that always want to bring you down. The type that either don't know or don't care to know at all.

As I look at some of my files, paperwork, and different accomplishments throughout the years, there are still some people that would call this "crap."

I don't know about you, but going through six years of engineering studies and receiving a civil engineering degree is not crap.

Attending a private, Catholic high school for four years is not crap.

Achieving all the educational awards in an organization that promotes communication and leadership is not crap.

Receiving a good amount of recognition from this organization is not crap.

Publishing a book and receiving a royalty check from the sales is not crap.

There are also other good things in there that are not crap.

What makes these people consider this stuff crap? I have no idea. These are pretty good things to accomplish!! Most of them are not cupcake things!!

Are they jealous? Are they angry with what they think they cannot do? Are they unhappy with their lives to the point where they have to bring others down?

All that negativity is not helping them out at all. It is only going to bring them down even further.

As for me, what am I going to do if someone has the gall to call my accomplishments "crap?"

The first thing I will do is just keep going. I know that these words are minimal at best. It will give me more motivation to make moves and do more things that are not crap. Opportunities will open up and I will walk through those doors.

And when I walk through those doors, I will keep looking forward, moving forward, not look back at the negative things, and take pride in all the "crap" that I can do!!

Do you have a person that belittles your accomplishments? If you have someone that calls it crap, remember who they are, where they came from, and what they are standing on. Chances are it's their own crap.

Nevertheless, don't let one negativity affect your growth. They can throw all the crap on you, but you can still bloom through them like a rose.

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Monday, December 12, 2011

Positive Attitude - It's Not For Everyone

Greetings Happy People,

When my walls broke three and a half years ago, I managed to attract and enjoy many good things in my life.

What are these good things? Let's go over a few of them.

1. Having a great relationship with a beautiful woman (soon to be my wife).
2. Created a blog for the "Happy People."
3. Published my first book (Greetings Happy People).
4. Made new friends and reunited with old ones.
5. Bought my first home.
6. Receiving good opportunities to speak at different events (on stage, by radio, and at different functions inside and outside of Toastmasters)

These are just a few good things. There are many more good things coming ahead. What are they? Stick around and find out, Happy People :o)

As I feel good about enjoying these positive things in my life, there are still people out there that still believe that what I am saying is fake and this is all just a ruse.

These are the same people that do not believe positive things can happen for anyone. They are also the same people that joke about it and make sarcastic remarks. They are the ones that would either poke holes at someone's good fortunes or try to find something that is negative.

These "haters" are like crabs in a pot. If they see one crab going out of the pot, they would cling on to that crab and pull him back with the crowded cluster that is at the bottom the pot.

It is a shame that we still have those non-believers. Most of them claim to give a real aspect on life as they do their best to put others down. I feel sorry for them because they choose to live this way. It is THEIR choice, not mine.

It goes to show you that positive attitudes are not for everyone. People have a right to choose how to feel and what to do with their lives. They also have the right to believe what they want to believe. It is up to them to determine whether it is right or wrong.

As for me, I will choose to live my life with positive attitudes, good feelings, and reap the benefits from them. It has worked for me so far. All I got to do is just keep living and enjoying life as best as I can. Who knows what good opportunities will develop from this?

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Saturday, December 10, 2011

The Closed Door

Greetings Happy People,

A door stands in front of you. It is closed.

You look at the door and wonder what could be behind it.

Could it bring something good? Or could it bring some misfortune?

For some, those questions become concerns. Those concerns become fears. Those fears become ignorance.

Many times people have hated what was behind the door, but they never went through it.

People have created thoughts and feelings that are closed like the door.

Others let the closed door ponder their minds for minutes, hours, days, and years. Not even knowing what's behind it.

Meanwhile, the closed door still stands. Never harming anyone. Never saying a word.

I have seen many doors like this. I have opened some of them. Others I have passed by.

Some of the doors I have opened led to good things. Others were learned lessons. Few led to regrets.

If I really want to know the answer, I WILL open the door.

Many closed doors lie in front of us today. Many questions lie behind these close doors. Some of them will be opened, others will not.

The only people that have the courage to know what's behind them are the ones that open the closed door.

Whether it was something good or something bad, they knew what was behind it.

As you stand in front of this closed door, will you open it?

Only you hold the answer to this question.

Only you can put your hand on the knob, turn it, and open that closed door.

Will you do it??

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Jesse I-I-I

Friday, December 2, 2011

A Positive Revelation

Greetings Happy People,

As I type this message to you, I have come to an interesting revelation.

 I rather hang with few positive people that tons of negative ones.

As I look around my world, I am grateful to hang with people that are positive. Positive in nature, positive in attitude, and just plain overall positive!! Whenever I hang around with positive people, I get a new sense of energy that takes over my body. It makes me feel more productive, I feel more inspired, and I can do more things that I possibly could!! Whenever I hang with positive people in my life, I can do some amazing things!! How amazing, you ask? Well, if I were to look back at certain things and look at what I did while in a positive funk, I would say “DANG!!” because I accomplished more than what I thought I could!!

On the other end of the rainbow, I am not as grateful to hang with those negative people. Negative people come in different phases: the bullies, the “victims,” the know-it-all braggarts, the timid people, the hypocrites, the drag-downs, the worrywarts, the pompous twits, and the straight up jerks. What do all of these people have in common? They can suck the energy, drain the life, and make a mess out of one’s day. When I hang with these people, I create those negative moods ranging from boredom to sadness to anger. Negative people may have been born crying, but they don’t have to cry for the rest of their lives. I really feel sorry for these folks. The more they become negative, the more they decay inside and outside.

If this was a choice for me, it would be a complete no-brainer. The only question I have is why there are so many negative people in the world? If they only took the time out to think, do, or feel something positive, chances are that they would see that life is not that bad. It’s not rocket science, it just a choice!! Which one would you choose?

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

 Sincerely,

 Jesse I-I-I

Thursday, December 1, 2011

And I Love Her

Greetings Happy People,

Today is a very special day for a woman I know.

This woman is someone that I am grateful for having in my life.

Outside of my own family, this woman is one of few people that I was able to share parts of my life with - and she's still with me!!

She is a woman that I am truly grateful to have in my life. When others did not give me the time of day, she opened the door.

Every time I see her smile, my heart is warmed.

Every time I hear her voice, my soul is at ease.

Every time I hold her, all my doubts and fears would go away.

She is the type of woman that has tremendous beauty inside and outside.

I am amazed by this woman's strength as she stood with me through the good and bad parts of my life.

I am grateful for her wise words, gentle spirit, and a style that she carries on her own.

I am a just grateful for her.

It gives me great pleasure that months from now, she will become the newest Oakley in my life.

There is no better person to carry this name that this woman, my fiancee, Dana Wall.

Happy Birthday Dana!! Thank you for being a part of my life!!

You are an amazing lady and I am glad that I got to know someone as special as you!!

I love you!!

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Monday, November 28, 2011

Who Is More Responsible?

Greetings Happy People,

I need your help for this post. I would like for you to tell me which person is more responsible? It has nothing to do with politics, race, gender, religion, or anything that can be seen on the outside. All I want to know is that from these two people alone. Which one is more responsible?

PERSON A
- This person pays the bills and other essential items.
- This person chooses to be self sufficient.
- This person takes care of family with the result of children becoming better.
- This person takes the time to get to know people before judging them.
- Whenever a mess is involved, this person find ways to get out of them.
- This person has vision, goals, and follows through with them.
- If wrong is done, this person will do things to make it right.
- This person moves on and takes action.
- This person always find ways to become better, despite any circumstances.

PERSON B
- This person spends irresponsibly and risk losing essential items.
- This person always asks for a handout (as if the world owes this person something).
- This person shirks off  family responsibilities, causing their children to become worse.
- This person always judges other people on looks alone.
- Whenever a mess is involved, this person always complain (sometimes over dramatically).
- This person has vision and goals, but does nothing with them.
- If wrong is done, this person will either not do anything, pass it along, or simply appease to it.
- This person stays still and find excuses.
- This person sits in the same spot, feeling comfortable around its environment.

Somehow it surprises and frightens me that people cannot tell the difference.

I know people that fit both of these categories. And sure enough, one will come out further than the other.

If you fit the description of PERSON A - you will become a success at whatever you do.

If you fit the description of PERSON B - I could tell you things, but it's up to you  to do what you want. I just won't be surprised with the consequences you bring on to yourself.

Can you tell me which person is more responsible? If so, can you tell me which person you are?

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention,

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Friday, November 25, 2011

Bragging Rights

Greetings Happy People,

Have you ever met someone that brags too much about something so little?

Unfortunately, I have met people like this. Whether they are relatives or complete strangers, they seem to get a kick out of bragging. It's good to have certain things and be proud of them, but it's another story when a person takes it over the top. One person's over-bragging can easily be seen as someone's let down.

As a strong believer in karma. I am a man that chooses to be careful with whatever he does or says. It doesn't matter if the deed is good or not. What goes around, WILL come around. If I do good, I will get good. If I do bad, I will surely get it!!

A good story about this example happened at a barber shop many years ago. I saw a guy walking into the place, wearing a UNLV jacket, overly bragging to his friends about what he is doing in college. His boys thought he was amazing. He continued to talk about the girls, the "easy" classes, and anything else that would boost his ego to the nearest planet.

Then, this "winner" walked up to yours truly. Mistaking me for my youthful appearance, he said "Maybe you will come out of high school and be just like me!!" He looked me up and down and said, "Then again, MAYBE NOT!!"

After that comment, he laughed out loud with his boys.

As soon as the laughter died down, I told him that I that was not in high school.

"Oh yeah??!!" he replied, "Well what school DO you go to?"

I pointed at his jacket and said "UNLV."

With an annoying, cocky smirk on his face he said, "What do YOU know about UNLV? You probably just some no-name Freshman pretending to be someone!!"

I looked at him and told him that I wasn't a Freshman. I was graduating at the end of the year.

That guy's smirk started to go away very slowly.

In his attempt to still look good in front of his boys, he said "Well I bet you going out of here with an easy major!! What are going to graduate with? Hotel Administration? Women's Studies? Sociology?"

I looked up in his face and said, "Oh it's just a Civil Engineering degree."

The place went silent.

Knowing that his ego just got crushed, the guy changed his tune. "Uh, yeah man!! Not too many brothers go for those majors!!"

He walked out of the barbershop embarrassed because he got "owned" by Mr. I-I-I. The barbers and the parents that were there gave me a nod of respect because I not only shut this guy down, but did it in a way that wasn't so over the top.

I have not seen the guy to this day.

This story goes to show you that bragging about certain things do have its limits. It is good to accomplish things and be very proud of them. On the other hand, it is not cool to brag to the point where one is being put down. If one does that, I hope the person is ready for the consequences it can bring.

An ego is like a balloon, Happy People. If it gets big enough, it will pop!!

Please know your rights to brag before you exercise the bragging rights!!

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Monday, November 21, 2011

Just Keep Going

Greetings Happy People,


"I can't believe your poor judgment!!"


"You are a big, fat, liar!!"


"You can make it. If you want to be a janitor!!"


"What the hell were you thinking!!"


"What are you, retarded??"


"You are NOT a worthy leader!!"


"You Uncle Tom wanna be n*gger!!"


"You are nothing and will be nothing!!"


"You are a complete disappointment!!"


These were some of the actual quotes I have either received in my inbox, phone message, or in person. Believe it or not, there are more than these negative quotes alone. Some of them I have kept, while others are put in the trash.


For the ones I have kept, I took a real good look at them. Somehow it gives me motivation to prove any doubters that they were wrong. 


Are these words hurtful? You bet they are!! 


Would these words make anyone want to give up? In a way, they would!!


It is shame that there are these people out there in the world. They could either stand in front of my face or talk behind my back. But no matter how many there are, it is me that has to make a choice. I could either let words like these beat me down or I could just keep going. From the way things look right now, I choose to just keep going.


If it had not been for comments like these, the taste of the accomplishments would not be as sweet. 


Have you ever run across negative comments like these? Are any of them worse? If they are and you are still standing on your own two feet, you are a strong person and will accomplish what others say you wouldn't. 


Remember, only you have the choice to either accept this or just keep going. What are you going to do?


That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.


Sincerely,


Jesse I-I-I     



Sunday, November 20, 2011

Use Your Heart!!!

Greetings Happy People,

No matter what you do. You got to put your heart in it.

If you put your heart in it, you know that it is genuine.

If you put your heart in it, you know you gave it your best.

If you put your heart in it, you know that there is someone looking at what your doing AND will become inspired by it!!

It is easy to do what you can day in and day out, but a major difference between those that are successful and those that aren't lies in that organ that goes "thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump."

The heart is an amazing thing to have. Without it, what could you do?

If you have no heart in what you are doing right now, is it worth doing?

If not, then you have two choices: revive your heart by finding your passion or let it stop beating.

I don't know about you, but I would choose the former instead of the latter.

Amazing things have been created with the heart. Look around you!! I bet you that some of the things that you have in your home, communities, and other places have been created by heart.

While it may be true that the brain can create the idea, it's the heart that puts it into action!!

Do you have that dream that's been running around your mind for a long time? What about that project you want done? If you have these things and want to do them, please make sure that your heart is into each action you try.

Who knows? Your heart may revive another heart that's almost out of beats. Talk about a heart to heart CPR coming to life!!

That is what I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Monday, October 10, 2011

#@*#&*!! - The End of Customer Service?

Greetings Happy People,

As I sit back and watch football tonight, I get a phone call.

I answer the phone to the following automated message:

"Please wait, someone has an important message for you."

After hearing this message for the fourth time, a human being finally responds:

"Are you Hector Guiterrez?" he asked.

"No." I responded.

"Do you know where I could find Hector Guiterrez?" he asked.

"In his skin?" I reply as I hung up on the befuddled individual.

WOW!! That is five minutes of my life I will never have back.

Whatever happened to good customer service? Has it gone the way of the dinosaur, land line phone booth, and corduroy pants? Are people that lazy enough to let an automated machine do their greetings for them instead of using their own voice? And you wonder why the people think negatively when companies resort to this measure.

And that is only the beginning, Happy People!!

This recent experience reminded me of another enlightening moment I had with customer service from another company. A couple months ago, I made a phone call to a company to discuss an issue with my service. With great care, they put me on hold with some lovely elevator music. It was at this moment, I decided to do a little experiment.

I first get into my car - The elevator music is still playing.

I start the car - The elevator music is still playing.

I drive on the street - The elevator music is still playing. (feel free to repeat this section)

I get on U.S. 95 - The elevator music is still playing.

I get off U.S. 95 - The elevator music is still playing.

I turn in to the parking lot - The elevator music is still playing.

I wait in line for 20 minutes - The elevator music is still playing.

I get to the front counter - The elevator music is still playing.

I put the phone to the front desk person's ear - The elevator music is still playing.

Do you get the point? I can only shake my head.

To keep a good business going, a little customer service can go a long way. In the era of businesses and companies losing profits via the bad economy, does it make sense to give customers the high quality service they deserve? I think so!!

Whether one is behind the phone, behind the counter, or behind anything else, customer service still matters!! The success you give can only be measured by what you put out to customers. If you give good service, you get good results. If you give bad service, you business will cease to exist.

I just wish more businesses can apply this simple manner. It will make it much easier for me and Hector Guiterrez.

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention - my beloved customers!!

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Beware of False Toastmasters

Greetings Happy People,

Throughout all my years in this organizations, I have been through many expeditions, adventures, and anything else in between. I have met many Toastmasters that are good folks. Unfortunately, I also met those people that claim to be Toastmasters only to show their true colors.

I am here to discuss with you the "False Toastmasters" that are out there. When you see the following type of species, please meet at your own risk. Chances are that they may be up to no good.

Species 1 - Buyemus Producticus

If you are not looking carefully at this type of species, chances are that they will try to suck you into purchasing products you don't need. Going beyond the networking social meeting groups, they comes as friendly individuals. However, behind those smiles lies personal agendas. Whether it is for life insurance, dietary supplements, or shoddy video email service, they can only quit Toastmasters if they cannot find a customer in the club that would buy their items. They show people how they can be big in their business by flashing the checks they earned. Unfortunately, none of it will go to renewing their membership dues.

The reason why they can be considered False Toastmasters is due to the fact that they are not into improving their communication and leadership skills, nor helping anyone else out. Instead, they want to make big bucks by convincing real Toastmasters to buy in to their products. Shame on these people.

Species 2 -   Gigantus Knowitallium


There are those False Toastmasters that claim to "know it all." They have tremendous amounts of experience, yet are unable to produce when it comes to crunch time. They also claim to have mountains of paperwork that could make them a Distinguished Toastmaster, yet they neither show the paperwork nor have any desire to help a club become Distinguished by sending the paperwork to World Headquarters.

By the way, the mailing address for Toastmasters International is:

Toastmasters International
P.O. Box 9052
Mission Viejo, California 92690

To make things worse, they become President of clubs by convincing some unknowing person that think they can do the job because they were such a great Toastmaster different cities (which they weren't via words of Toastmasters from their cities). When they become President, they run clubs like prisons and give the ol' "my way or highway" attitude. Unfortunately, members choose the latter because they do not want to deal with this egotistical genius.

Sadly, thanks to the Gigantus Knowitallum, the former members see Toastmasters in a very negative light.

As the membership dwindles and the club dies, the Gigantus Knowitallum is still oblivious to the personality that he or she carries by pointing fingers at other people instead of blaming themselves. Additionally, the word of the Gigantus Knowitallums quickly spread to different clubs which leads to little chances of joining any more Toastmasters club to destroy. This is why we vote members in folks - so species like these can be voted out before they do any damage!!

Species 3 - "Earl"


This species of Toastmaster can be seen as the distant, deadbeat cousin of the Gigantus Knowitallum. Just because I ran out of fancy pig latin words for this type, I will just call this species Earl.

Some Toastmasters can consider Earl to be that fly that buzzes around and you just want to shoo it away or swat it.

Earl is the person that makes new Toastmasters cry by giving them evaluations so harsh that Simon Cowell would say "DANG!!" Yet, Earl gets pretty defensive if someone tries to evaluate him (or her) because Earl is the greatest speaker known to all humankind. If that's the case, I would like to see this species win the World Championship of Public Speaking, twice.

If Earl comes to a Toastmasters club that happens to meet at a restaurant, be prepared to fork over some serious cash. Earls either claim not to have any money nor be hungry at all. Yet when a poor Toastmaster soul offers to buy this species dinner, Earls order the most expensive things on the menu. Even if it is the large Triple Whopper combo at Burger King.

Earl is the type of person that peppers his language with obscenities that makes grammarians blush. No matter if new Toastmasters, guest, nuns, or children are in the room. Earls give plenty of profanity laced discussion that makes attendance drop halfway through the meetings.

And if you think that's bad, Earl is also the type of species that prefers women not be in Toastmasters because they are the weaker sex and say things that make no sense to men. Earl also prefers minorities, non-gentiles, and people that don't have a certain skin tone or right religion not be a part of Toastmasters.

Yes folks, these Earls do exist in our world. And that is why we choose to not vote them in.

These are only three of many False Toastmasters species that are out there. If you ever come across anyone that matches the character traits of a  Buyemus Producticus, Gigatus Knowitallum, or Earl, please be careful in handling these folks for they can do a number to many Toastmaster clubs all over the world.

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

Saturday, October 8, 2011

My New Love

Greetings Happy People,

I have something to tell you today. I have another new love in my life.

This love is more important than my family, fiancee, Toastmasters, karaoke, chess, and even strawberries!!!

Would you like to know what it is?

I'll give you a clue, it is something I am doing right now.

Nope, it is not writing a post on my blog for you Happy People!!

Instead.....it's just living!!!

That is right!! My new love is the appreciation of life. How I'm living it and how I'm appreciating it even more!!

At a time, I never liked my life. I always thought that it was useless, hopeless, and simply going nowhere. People did not care what I do and I never cared in return. At times, I wondered if things really mattered. Little did I know, this view of depreciation has taken me to depths that are lower than any chasm in the world. It led to depression, sadness, and lack of self respect. It also created many voids that I thought could not be filled. 

At a time, I thought that I could never live my life to the best of abilities because I did not have things other people have. I did not have the smarts, the finances, nor the looks. The more I saw this, the further my life went south. I also thought that I could never have control of my own life. People keep telling me what to do, what to wear, and how to think. These are the type of things that always kept me feeling low.

Then something happened....

I took another look at myself and asked why I am living up to other's expectations? That question provided the spark in what led to a huge turnaround. Slowly but surely, I took steps to turn things around. I started hanging with positive people, I set personal goals for myself, and envision more things that I believe I can do. 

Step by step, the cold walls of negativity melted and more horizons started to open up for me.

By the way things are looking right now, my life is turning out to be pretty good. I have some awesome friends and people in my life, I'm doing the things I love, and I have a beautiful woman that's out of this world. Life is a lot interesting once you step away from the walls that once blocked many paths. 

There maybe some more things that need to be done, but I am enjoying my life more than I did before.

Do you have a good passion for your life? If so, then may you continue to appreciate it. If not, just remember that you can still turn things around. All it takes are those first steps in appreciating what you have now. The next thing you know, more good things will come your way. And you will start to have that passion for your life.

If it can work for me, it WILL work for you!!

That is all I have for now. Take care, thank you for your time and attention, and remember to love life....it's the only one you got!!

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I


Thursday, October 6, 2011

Why Do People Leave Toastmasters?



Greetings Happy People,

A couple weeks ago, I did a mini poll on why people leave Toastmasters. The challenge is that they had to answer in three words or less. Thanks to my Facebook friends and the people from Linkedin, I got plenty of the following interesting answers:

Busy work schedule

Don't feel needed

Lack of commitment

Power Hungry District-Club officers 

Time and priorities

Bored to tears!

Bad Club Environment

Know it alls

Lack of brevity

High resource commitment

Priorities, focus, value

Rules overrule performance

Need more hand-holding

They get tired

Other priorities

Recession, laid off

Met goals, changed

Club too rigid

Objectives were met

Not mentored properly

No dedicated support

Lonesome time budget

Not taken seriously

Joining: wrong choice

Disgraceful District Politics

Not enough time

Lack of connection

Cheesy, Boring, Lacking

Exciting job promotion

Expanded life opportunities

Too much work

Veni, vidi, vici

No longer matters

No friends here

Forgot to laugh

Growing feels weird

Lack of Payback

Too early

Unaligned expectations

Not for them

Unjustified Dues increase

Because it's time

No growth support

Poor club climate

Protocol, processes, unfollowed

Minimizes importance

Unteachable

Controlling President

No quick results

Son got cancer

Work, Family, Time

They are afraid

Wow!! These are a lot of 3-word answers!!

As you can see, there are many reasons why people leave Toastmasters. There are responses that go beyond one’s control while others can be improved upon.

If you are a Toastmaster, please take a look at these reasons again. They might give you an edge on how to make your clubs, areas, divisions, and districts a little better. Taking on these challenges is the first step in promoting a place where everyone can learn, share, and grow in a decent environment.

Are there any more reasons why people leave Toastmasters? If there are, I am sure that we can all get together and find ways to overcome them and promote an organization where everyone can foster self confidence and personal growth.

After all, this is a place where leaders are made.

That is all I have for now. Take care and thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Jesse I-I-I

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