What inspires me…Words that invoke dreams and possibilities inspire me. I invite you to play in a meadow where dreams are seeded and possibilities bloom. I invite you to become the relentless architect of all you can be.
Martin Luther King, in Washington, on a hot August day in 1963 articulated his dream. He demonstrated with body and soul that dreaming can make a difference. In doing so he awakened all people to the realm of possibility.
What is possible on that scale is also possible for each of us.
One of my dreams, even at my age, is going to China to be coached in Table Tennis I want to create that possibility.
As a species we are exquisitely designed to thrive in an environment of scarcity and threat. The downward pull of that environment is strong in the world and in each of us. With courage and persistence we can counteract the downward spiral... How are we to do this?
We become better leaders understanding and promoting leadership as a relationship, a relationship that brings possibility to others.
We can become a leader who summons passion rather than fear.
We become better communicators using sound, our voices, in a positive way promoting unity not division. We strive to dream. We make a commitment to move into the radiant realm of possibility.
The world-wide web is the repository for every possibility. I look at the amazing work and awareness of the young and I am inspired.
I found this astonishing example of insight and vision on the web
Young musicians from Boston Philharmonic attending a Master Class were asked by their tutor to write about the similarities between the NASA program and their life in music. Listen to this response.
Quote
“In the same way NASA uses mathematics and machinery we musicians must use sound. Sound can explore the soul, coax out the dreams and possibilities that before were lost in inky blackness. A beautiful sonata escapes gravity, we are not very different you and I. Our minute individual persons are small, but our life journeys can span galaxies. NASA is granted billions of dollars and, for the insistence of possibility it bestows on the world, it is worth every penny. Amanda Burr age 16”
This, from a 16 year old what insight, what a perspective.
Everyone in this room has been touched by the radiance of possibility. We encourage and support the desire in each one of us to be better communicators, better leaders. Fear is no stranger to any of us who would address an audience.
Fear is the hand that turns of the spigot of creativity.
Nelson Mandela offered these words on fear.
Quote:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure
It is our ‘light’, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves who are we to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous
Actually, who are we not to be?
We have all been afraid to stand behind this lecture. But each time we do we light the spark of our own individual creativity. Table Topics encourages the chord of creativity to play inside ourselves.
Every time you speak at Toastmasters you are being a Martin Luther King. Your words open us to the vibrant realm of Possibility. You are counteracting that downward spiral
Some years ago I started articulating my dreams not just inside but out loud to the mirror. I took chances became a little courageous. I began exploring the realm of possibility with my loved one, my partners, and my friends. Often I have been mis-understood. I am however standing here today and
I invite you to share my dream for yourselves.
I dream that my hand freed from the shackles of fear and self judgment turns the spigot on full. I become the relentless architect of all I can be.
You all inspire me. I hope I have done the same for you.
Kenneth Macfarlane August 2009
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