October 22, 2025

Every Toastmasters meeting is a voyage filled with stories, laughter, and lessons. Our most recent session, themed “Crossing the Ocean,” reminded us that life’s biggest adventures are not always about distant lands or uncharted waters, but about the courage to take the next step.

Our Toastmaster of the Day, Jagan, opened with a metaphorical journey. “Crossing the ocean,” he explained, is about navigating life’s challenges and pushing past comfort zones. He illustrated this with the story of Christopher Columbus, who, when stranded and out of supplies, convinced the native people to help by predicting a lunar eclipse. It was a story not just of manipulation, but of resourcefulness, a reminder that perspective matters when survival and purpose are at stake.

He invited everyone to reflect: What oceans have you crossed in the past year? One member shared her own “ocean,” experimenting with new recipes and learning from feedback, a small but meaningful act of courage and growth.

The word of the day was:

Lenity (n.) – quality of state of being mild or gentle

Our leader profile by Dawn shone on Natalie Nakase, head coach of the Golden State Valkyries. Her story is one of determination and leadership, the first Asian American head coach in the WNBA and a former walk-on player who turned adversity into achievement. Her philosophy of teamwork extends beyond players to include everyone from owners to concession workers, a true example of crossing oceans in leadership.

Nitin explored the theme of self expression, comparing how different people communicate verbally, visually, and emotionally. His humorous anecdotes, from coffee machine conversations to silent gestures, reminded us that expression is more than words; it’s how we connect with others and show who we are.

Audrey took us on a persuasive journey, urging us to ditch summer travel for the magic of off season adventures. With wit and real world examples, she described the chaos of crowded landmarks and the serenity of quieter months. “Savvy travelers don’t follow crowds,” she concluded, “they outsmart them.” Her speech left us dreaming of calm airports and peaceful November sunsets.

Our impromptu speaking session asked members to explore personal and imaginative oceans. One member reflected on the bravery of ancestors who crossed real oceans to seek a better life. Another predicted that the smartphone would be remembered as this era’s defining innovation 500 years from now. Others shared stories of navigating uncertainty, from moving countries during COVID to convincing friends to take bold new journeys.

As our Toastmaster wrapped up, he left us with this thought:
“If life feels too comfortable, maybe something’s wrong. Find your oceans, and cross them.”

See you at our next meeting!