There IS intelligent life in Milton Keynes; it just took me nearly 20 years to find it after moving here from the Croydon area in 1985.
Where did I find it? In the local branches of Toastmasters International, a global not-for-profit organisation founded in California in 1924 to help ordinary people acquire extraordinary skills, such as speaking in public, leadership and organisation. I personally believe Toastmasters International offers the best self-development programme on the planet for what amounts to little more than pocket money. Why people insist on paying thousands in a search for the holy grail beats me, when there is probably a small, friendly branch of Toastmasters International nearby, waiting to tool them up with everything they need to become happier in themselves, a more pleasant person to spend time with, and ultimately more successful in commerce.
I cite my own wife as an example. When she first started accompanying me to meetings, to make sure (I suspect) that I was in fact going where I said was going every time I went out, she was a typical middle-aged housewife whose horizons had been limited to the four walls of the family home in the 20-plus years devoted to bringing up our children. She wouldn't stand up and speak out. Now we can't get her to sit down and shut up.
Which is great. She has been transformed beyond belief, into a confident, can-do person who has become a champion speaker in her own right, and who in July won her age group in the Milton Keynes half-marathon, in her very first competitive race.
Toastmasters clubs worldwide happily extend a warm (and free) welcome to guests attending meetings. There is certain to be one near you, and you can find it via the international website (www.toastmasters.org). There's probably intelligent life in your town too. Don't let it take 20 years for you to find it!
