Gratitude & Growth

3rd November 2025
We had a fantastic meeting centered on “Gratitude & Growth”! Members shared powerful stories of personal and professional evolution, highlighting the supportive people and valuable lessons that fuelled their journeys.

Goldon Poh posited storytelling as humanity’s most crucial innovation. Our unique ability to believe in shared fictions like money and nations, a concept from Sapiens, enabled mass cooperation and global dominance. Stories create powerful emotional bonds, making them profoundly effective. Personally inspired, the speaker shared their journey to improve this skill through vocal training with a singing coach and by developing narrative techniques within our Toastmasters community, highlighting the practical path to mastering this transformative art.

Mark Mak shared a compelling story about being locked out of his home due to a malfunctioning electric door lock. He took the audience through his emotional and practical journey to resolve the crisis. His key message was a reminder that after we have done our best, we should trust that things will work themselves out. He also emphasised the importance of treasuring family members who are always there to help in times of trouble.

Ariel spoke about his experiences with facial paralysis, stepping out of the comfort zone and how people are often not limited by ability but by their perceived limits.

Tom Carr delivered his first draft of the wedding speech – a very moving speech on the twist and turns of his love story.

The evening was a heartfelt reminder to appreciate our progress and the community that helps us grow.