Mar 18 2012
No Man Is An Island
I gave a speech recently in a Toastmasters meeting on this title – “No man is an island”. It is a true story of my own. It told the real Ricky behind Facebook.
I’m very active on my Facebook, and seen by many to be talkative, positive, motivating and inspiring. But am I really such person in reality? No, I’m more shy, quiet, introvert and seldom speak up, especially in a big group.
I told of a childhood story which was too private to repeat here. But it was an embarrassing and humiliating experience I couldn’t forget for many years. Basically it made me a loner and not socialize much. I even took up smoking as a loner’s “hobby” (I quit the habit years later).
In my years working for people, I came into conflicts with bosses and colleagues due to my anti-social behavior and inability to be good team player. As a result, I was isolated and even boycotted. But one colleague was kind enough to write me a memo that said, “No man is an island”, a wake-up call for the rest of my life.
To cut a long story short, I learned up, adapted to the real world and started to perform better. After I transitioned into business later on, I learned even more especially from some inspiring bosses among my customers.
I still have much to learn, but at least now I can work in team and cooperate with others. Some friends even see me as extrovert and can’t believe I’m an introvert person.
I shall conclude with John Donne’s quotation here. “No man is an island, entire by itself; everyone is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.”
