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WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK – Motivational Speech for Success 2017


you have an uncomfortable soul and

you have an uncomfortable soul and looking at that in looking at some of

looking at that in looking at some of

looking at that in looking at some of the definitions of options decisions

the definitions of options decisions

the definitions of options decisions self-determination choice preference

self-determination choice preference

self-determination choice preference desire I want to share something with

desire I want to share something with

desire I want to share something with you that’s relative to critical options

you that’s relative to critical options

you that’s relative to critical options because we all have them in our lives

because we all have them in our lives

because we all have them in our lives and I want to ask you a question what is

and I want to ask you a question what is

and I want to ask you a question what is the focus of your life what is the focus

the focus of your life what is the focus

the focus of your life what is the focus of your life in life you have a critical

of your life in life you have a critical

of your life in life you have a critical option you can take a stand in your life

option you can take a stand in your life

option you can take a stand in your life or you can follow the crowd see people

or you can follow the crowd see people

or you can follow the crowd see people who follow the crowd their lives are not

who follow the crowd their lives are not

who follow the crowd their lives are not focused they’re not immerse than

focused they’re not immerse than

focused they’re not immerse than anything people will take a stand

anything people will take a stand

anything people will take a stand they’re living a life that has some

they’re living a life that has some

they’re living a life that has some power a life of achievement a life that

power a life of achievement a life that

power a life of achievement a life that has some meaning people that taking a

has some meaning people that taking a

has some meaning people that taking a stand in life they are consciously

stand in life they are consciously

stand in life they are consciously involved in a process to design a life

involved in a process to design a life

involved in a process to design a life of substance people are following the

of substance people are following the

of substance people are following the crowd these are people that they’re just

crowd these are people that they’re just

crowd these are people that they’re just doing what everybody else is doing so

doing what everybody else is doing so

doing what everybody else is doing so that’s a crowded road over there they’re

that’s a crowded road over there they’re

that’s a crowded road over there they’re following the followers I want to talk

following the followers I want to talk

following the followers I want to talk to you about taking a stand with your

to you about taking a stand with your

to you about taking a stand with your life and what are some of the things we

life and what are some of the things we

life and what are some of the things we can do that will enable us to give our

can do that will enable us to give our

can do that will enable us to give our lives up in a way that has some purpose

lives up in a way that has some purpose

lives up in a way that has some purpose and meaning that can be real for us that

and meaning that can be real for us that

and meaning that can be real for us that can give us a sense of fulfillment of

can give us a sense of fulfillment of

can give us a sense of fulfillment of joy and happiness and peace of mind see

joy and happiness and peace of mind see

joy and happiness and peace of mind see most people are bored with life most

most people are bored with life most

most people are bored with life most people feel that life isn’t worth the

people feel that life isn’t worth the

people feel that life isn’t worth the hassle the life is just wearing me out

hassle the life is just wearing me out

hassle the life is just wearing me out it’s boring it’s monotonous I have

it’s boring it’s monotonous I have

it’s boring it’s monotonous I have nothing to look forward to here we go

nothing to look forward to here we go

nothing to look forward to here we go again another Monday morning

again another Monday morning

again another Monday morning TGIF they thank God it’s Friday how we

TGIF they thank God it’s Friday how we

TGIF they thank God it’s Friday how we go girl oh boy

go girl oh boy

go girl oh boy you see the demand met but many people

you see the demand met but many people

you see the demand met but many people died age 25 and don’t get burned until

died age 25 and don’t get burned until

died age 25 and don’t get burned until there are 65 doing the same thing the

there are 65 doing the same thing the

there are 65 doing the same thing the same way every day looking at these

same way every day looking at these

same way every day looking at these faces just walk around I mean you got to

faces just walk around I mean you got to

faces just walk around I mean you got to be aware of these faces they affect you

be aware of these faces they affect you

be aware of these faces they affect you you know try to stay around Pleasant

you know try to stay around Pleasant

you know try to stay around Pleasant faces and if you have an unpleasant face

faces and if you have an unpleasant face

faces and if you have an unpleasant face try and smile more it’s good for your

try and smile more it’s good for your

try and smile more it’s good for your health

health

health and there’s another dividend you look

and there’s another dividend you look

and there’s another dividend you look better too

so looking for a way in which we can

so looking for a way in which we can begin to give our lives some special

begin to give our lives some special

begin to give our lives some special power

power

power number one commit yourself to giving

number one commit yourself to giving

number one commit yourself to giving your best at all times now that’s not

your best at all times now that’s not

your best at all times now that’s not easy see most people and particularly

easy see most people and particularly

easy see most people and particularly those who are working in corporations

those who are working in corporations

those who are working in corporations they’re finding now they’ve got to

they’re finding now they’ve got to

they’re finding now they’ve got to change their behavior we’re now involved

change their behavior we’re now involved

change their behavior we’re now involved in a world economy we will never do

in a world economy we will never do

in a world economy we will never do business the way in which we’ve done

business the way in which we’ve done

business the way in which we’ve done business in the past we will never be

business in the past we will never be

business in the past we will never be able to in the American workplace do

able to in the American workplace do

able to in the American workplace do just enough to get by now the standards

just enough to get by now the standards

just enough to get by now the standards have been raised quality and

have been raised quality and

have been raised quality and productivity has been increased because

productivity has been increased because

productivity has been increased because of the competition and so now average

of the competition and so now average

of the competition and so now average performance will not be enough this is a

performance will not be enough this is a

performance will not be enough this is a new day competition is fierce so people

new day competition is fierce so people

new day competition is fierce so people who just have been in locked into a

who just have been in locked into a

who just have been in locked into a behavior pattern are working just hard

behavior pattern are working just hard

behavior pattern are working just hard enough to keep from getting fired

enough to keep from getting fired

enough to keep from getting fired they’re being laid off

a forced into early retirement it’s a

a forced into early retirement it’s a new game now so now more than ever it’s

new game now so now more than ever it’s

new game now so now more than ever it’s about increased productivity now more

about increased productivity now more

about increased productivity now more than ever it’s about superior quality

than ever it’s about superior quality

than ever it’s about superior quality service now more than ever it’s about

service now more than ever it’s about

service now more than ever it’s about creating a positive atmosphere in the

creating a positive atmosphere in the

creating a positive atmosphere in the workplace and people that have that

workplace and people that have that

workplace and people that have that competitive age people that are hungry

competitive age people that are hungry

competitive age people that are hungry to make it so you got to be hungry now

to make it so you got to be hungry now

to make it so you got to be hungry now you can’t just casually walk around well

you can’t just casually walk around well

you can’t just casually walk around well I’ll get to it later on oh no no this

I’ll get to it later on oh no no this

I’ll get to it later on oh no no this this is a new day right now committing

this is a new day right now committing

this is a new day right now committing yourself to give your best at all times

yourself to give your best at all times

yourself to give your best at all times regardless of the competition to do

regardless of the competition to do

regardless of the competition to do otherwise or the influences of negative

otherwise or the influences of negative

otherwise or the influences of negative people that will tell you hey look here

people that will tell you hey look here

people that will tell you hey look here don’t push yourself too much now’s the

don’t push yourself too much now’s the

don’t push yourself too much now’s the time to push yourself to always get in

time to push yourself to always get in

time to push yourself to always get in the habit of giving the best that you

the habit of giving the best that you

the habit of giving the best that you have to share thinking about a situation

have to share thinking about a situation

have to share thinking about a situation where I had I had to give a lecture out

where I had I had to give a lecture out

where I had I had to give a lecture out in Los Angeles California for Xerox

in Los Angeles California for Xerox

in Los Angeles California for Xerox Corporation well part of what I do when

Corporation well part of what I do when

Corporation well part of what I do when I my profession is doing corporate

I my profession is doing corporate

I my profession is doing corporate training my passion is doing training

training my passion is doing training

training my passion is doing training with kids so when I go someplace I

with kids so when I go someplace I

with kids so when I go someplace I always try and arrange for a community

always try and arrange for a community

always try and arrange for a community group they have a group of young people

group they have a group of young people

group they have a group of young people together for me to work with them on a

together for me to work with them on a

together for me to work with them on a volunteer basis in the evening so I

volunteer basis in the evening so I

volunteer basis in the evening so I decided to go into an area of Los

decided to go into an area of Los

decided to go into an area of Los Angeles to talk with someone about doing

Angeles to talk with someone about doing

Angeles to talk with someone about doing that and they suggested that I come to

that and they suggested that I come to

that and they suggested that I come to speak at a community center right

speak at a community center right

speak at a community center right outside Los Angeles at Carson community

outside Los Angeles at Carson community

outside Los Angeles at Carson community center and because of the the gangs in

center and because of the the gangs in

center and because of the the gangs in Los Angeles one of the young men that

Los Angeles one of the young men that

Los Angeles one of the young men that was coming there to organize it and his

was coming there to organize it and his

was coming there to organize it and his mother he had a twin brother and he took

mother he had a twin brother and he took

mother he had a twin brother and he took an interest in me because I have a twin

an interest in me because I have a twin

an interest in me because I have a twin and his twin brother was the victim of a

and his twin brother was the victim of a

and his twin brother was the victim of a gang ritual they brought in a new member

gang ritual they brought in a new member

gang ritual they brought in a new member in a gang and he had to prove that he

in a gang and he had to prove that he

in a gang and he had to prove that he was really whip them and committed and

was really whip them and committed and

was really whip them and committed and his job was just to select anybody at

his job was just to select anybody at

his job was just to select anybody at random and kill them and he did that as

random and kill them and he did that as

random and kill them and he did that as this young guy was coming out of a store

this young guy was coming out of a store

this young guy was coming out of a store so they told me mr. Brown would you come

so they told me mr. Brown would you come

so they told me mr. Brown would you come over and talk to the teenagers here

over and talk to the teenagers here

over and talk to the teenagers here there’s a lot of depression and despair

there’s a lot of depression and despair

there’s a lot of depression and despair and hopelessness that people feeling

and hopelessness that people feeling

and hopelessness that people feeling powerless about the games and brings

powerless about the games and brings

powerless about the games and brings with you some handouts and material so

with you some handouts and material so

with you some handouts and material so you can do a workshop and parents will

you can do a workshop and parents will

you can do a workshop and parents will be involved too would you be willing to

be involved too would you be willing to

be involved too would you be willing to do that I said well I’m doing a full day

do that I said well I’m doing a full day

do that I said well I’m doing a full day seminar I’m usually just physically

seminar I’m usually just physically

seminar I’m usually just physically exhausted afterwards how many people you

exhausted afterwards how many people you

exhausted afterwards how many people you say you’re gonna have the wig guarantee

say you’re gonna have the wig guarantee

say you’re gonna have the wig guarantee at least four to five hundred people

at least four to five hundred people

at least four to five hundred people there I said okay I will come there and

there I said okay I will come there and

there I said okay I will come there and work with them and take them through

work with them and take them through

work with them and take them through this intensive it’s called Project

this intensive it’s called Project

this intensive it’s called Project respect how to create a shift in the

respect how to create a shift in the

respect how to create a shift in the community how to get young people

community how to get young people

community how to get young people engaged in a process of creating

engaged in a process of creating

engaged in a process of creating positive peer pressure rather than

positive peer pressure rather than

positive peer pressure rather than buying into the negative peer pressure

buying into the negative peer pressure

buying into the negative peer pressure instruments and techniques of how we can

instruments and techniques of how we can

instruments and techniques of how we can provide ongoing coaching for young

provide ongoing coaching for young

provide ongoing coaching for young people to begin to change how they see

people to begin to change how they see

people to begin to change how they see themselves in their values and how to

themselves in their values and how to

themselves in their values and how to resist negative peer pressure so I came

resist negative peer pressure so I came

resist negative peer pressure so I came there after working in a seminar totally

there after working in a seminar totally

there after working in a seminar totally exhausted in that Los Angeles traffic it

exhausted in that Los Angeles traffic it

exhausted in that Los Angeles traffic it took over an hour to get there got there

took over an hour to get there got there

took over an hour to get there got there they only had seven people I had an

they only had seven people I had an

they only had seven people I had an attitude

is that you had me come all the way from

is that you had me come all the way from Los Angeles after working all day just

Los Angeles after working all day just

Los Angeles after working all day just to talk to seven people you told me over

to talk to seven people you told me over

to talk to seven people you told me over 400 people were going to be aware the

400 people were going to be aware the

400 people were going to be aware the parents only one parent here my time is

parents only one parent here my time is

parents only one parent here my time is valuable I’ve got all this material that

valuable I’ve got all this material that

valuable I’ve got all this material that we’ve copied to do a workshop and so I

we’ve copied to do a workshop and so I

we’ve copied to do a workshop and so I went on and talked to those young people

went on and talked to those young people

went on and talked to those young people that were in the room the seven that

that were in the room the seven that

that were in the room the seven that were there and I just gave him a little

were there and I just gave him a little

were there and I just gave him a little speech and then I left went back to the

speech and then I left went back to the

speech and then I left went back to the hotel that night around 3:30 in the

hotel that night around 3:30 in the

hotel that night around 3:30 in the morning the phone rang the minister that

morning the phone rang the minister that

morning the phone rang the minister that invited me called me said mr. Brown I

invited me called me said mr. Brown I

invited me called me said mr. Brown I got to ask for your attention for a

got to ask for your attention for a

got to ask for your attention for a moment I said what what is it Kenyatta

moment I said what what is it Kenyatta

moment I said what what is it Kenyatta one of the young men who was there want

one of the young men who was there want

one of the young men who was there want to talk to you he was a brother of a guy

to talk to you he was a brother of a guy

to talk to you he was a brother of a guy that was killed he would like to talk to

that was killed he would like to talk to

that was killed he would like to talk to you

you

you he’s been here for over an hour I told

he’s been here for over an hour I told

he’s been here for over an hour I told him please don’t call you but he

him please don’t call you but he

him please don’t call you but he insisted would you please talk to him

insisted would you please talk to him

insisted would you please talk to him for a moment I said yes put him on the

for a moment I said yes put him on the

for a moment I said yes put him on the phone

phone

phone Kenyatta what can I do for you he said

Kenyatta what can I do for you he said

Kenyatta what can I do for you he said mr. Brown I’d listened to your tapes for

mr. Brown I’d listened to your tapes for

mr. Brown I’d listened to your tapes for a long time I’ve grown to love you and

a long time I’ve grown to love you and

a long time I’ve grown to love you and admire you among the things that I heard

admire you among the things that I heard

admire you among the things that I heard on your tapes that you said you must

on your tapes that you said you must

on your tapes that you said you must deal with circumstances such as you find

deal with circumstances such as you find

deal with circumstances such as you find them you came in this evening and I

them you came in this evening and I

them you came in this evening and I admit no we did not have the numbers

admit no we did not have the numbers

admit no we did not have the numbers that you asked for no we did not deliver

that you asked for no we did not deliver

that you asked for no we did not deliver as we had promised we would but we were

as we had promised we would but we were

as we had promised we would but we were looking for you the motivator to give us

looking for you the motivator to give us

looking for you the motivator to give us some hope we were depressed and we don’t

some hope we were depressed and we don’t

some hope we were depressed and we don’t know what to do we were looking for some

know what to do we were looking for some

know what to do we were looking for some direction and you were so caught up in

direction and you were so caught up in

direction and you were so caught up in pouting with your ego

pouting with your ego

pouting with your ego because we didn’t have the place full

because we didn’t have the place full

because we didn’t have the place full you didn’t give us your best I say

you didn’t give us your best I say

you didn’t give us your best I say excuse me I was laying in bed I sit up

excuse me I was laying in bed I sit up

excuse me I was laying in bed I sit up in wait a minute here mr. Potter what

in wait a minute here mr. Potter what

in wait a minute here mr. Potter what won’t let us grow in life is number one

won’t let us grow in life is number one

won’t let us grow in life is number one we identify when we get feedback we

we identify when we get feedback we

we identify when we get feedback we start taking it personal number two we

start taking it personal number two we

start taking it personal number two we start to justify so I became defensive

start to justify so I became defensive

start to justify so I became defensive and I said wait a minute

and I said wait a minute

and I said wait a minute I worked all day I didn’t shot y’all a

I worked all day I didn’t shot y’all a

I worked all day I didn’t shot y’all a quarter for this I went carpet material

quarter for this I went carpet material

quarter for this I went carpet material I came over there I was there to give a

I came over there I was there to give a

I came over there I was there to give a training for the people and you all

training for the people and you all

training for the people and you all y’all had to do was bring people there

y’all had to do was bring people there

y’all had to do was bring people there if you don’t do it for me for the next

if you don’t do it for me for the next

if you don’t do it for me for the next speaker that you have at least provided

speaker that you have at least provided

speaker that you have at least provided audience for him to work with he said

audience for him to work with he said

audience for him to work with he said are you through sir I said yes mr. brown

are you through sir I said yes mr. brown

are you through sir I said yes mr. brown you said you must deal with

you said you must deal with

you said you must deal with circumstances such as you find there

we went round and round for about 45

we went round and round for about 45 minutes because my ego Arnall I can’t

minutes because my ego Arnall I can’t

minutes because my ego Arnall I can’t let this young boy out debate mean he

let this young boy out debate mean he

let this young boy out debate mean he was not intimidated I used all the

was not intimidated I used all the

was not intimidated I used all the verbal gymnastics and examples I could

verbal gymnastics and examples I could

verbal gymnastics and examples I could he would not bulge and I said okay I’m

he would not bulge and I said okay I’m

he would not bulge and I said okay I’m sorry give me a break

sorry give me a break

sorry give me a break he said it takes a big man to say he’s

he said it takes a big man to say he’s

he said it takes a big man to say he’s sorry that night after I finish that

sorry that night after I finish that

sorry that night after I finish that young man I prayed I stayed on the floor

young man I prayed I stayed on the floor

young man I prayed I stayed on the floor by the bed

by the bed

by the bed I said Lord if you ever give me a chance

I said Lord if you ever give me a chance

I said Lord if you ever give me a chance to speak again I don’t care if it’s one

to speak again I don’t care if it’s one

to speak again I don’t care if it’s one person in the audience I’m gonna wear

person in the audience I’m gonna wear

person in the audience I’m gonna wear that one out I learned my lesson

I want to read something to you call the

I want to read something to you call the Builder that kind of touched me because

Builder that kind of touched me because

Builder that kind of touched me because when you start looking at giving your

when you start looking at giving your

when you start looking at giving your best at all times that’s not easy but

best at all times that’s not easy but

best at all times that’s not easy but when you are committing yourself to

when you are committing yourself to

when you are committing yourself to doing something those are the standards

doing something those are the standards

doing something those are the standards that you set for yourself because that’s

that you set for yourself because that’s

that you set for yourself because that’s who you are if you’re working on a job

who you are if you’re working on a job

who you are if you’re working on a job where you’re miserable they’re not

where you’re miserable they’re not

where you’re miserable they’re not telling you what you’re worth you don’t

telling you what you’re worth you don’t

telling you what you’re worth you don’t like to work you don’t like the people

like to work you don’t like the people

like to work you don’t like the people and you’re dissatisfied if you have

and you’re dissatisfied if you have

and you’re dissatisfied if you have decided to continue to take a paycheck

decided to continue to take a paycheck

decided to continue to take a paycheck you owe it to yourself to give it your

you owe it to yourself to give it your

you owe it to yourself to give it your best effort if you get into a habit of

best effort if you get into a habit of

best effort if you get into a habit of being mediocre of doing just enough to

being mediocre of doing just enough to

being mediocre of doing just enough to get by you’re not hurting anybody but

get by you’re not hurting anybody but

get by you’re not hurting anybody but you you’re cheating you the Builder

you you’re cheating you the Builder

you you’re cheating you the Builder there was a man who was an efficient

there was a man who was an efficient

there was a man who was an efficient builder he had worked for years than a

builder he had worked for years than a

builder he had worked for years than a large company and had reached the age of

large company and had reached the age of

large company and had reached the age of retirement his employer asked him to

retirement his employer asked him to

retirement his employer asked him to build one more house it was to be his

build one more house it was to be his

build one more house it was to be his last Commission the Builder took the job

last Commission the Builder took the job

last Commission the Builder took the job but his hard was not involved

but his hard was not involved

but his hard was not involved he used inferior materials timber was

he used inferior materials timber was

he used inferior materials timber was poor and he failed to see the many

poor and he failed to see the many

poor and he failed to see the many things that should have been clear to

things that should have been clear to

things that should have been clear to him had he shown even his normal

him had he shown even his normal

him had he shown even his normal interest in his work when the house was

interest in his work when the house was

interest in his work when the house was eventually finished his employer came to

eventually finished his employer came to

eventually finished his employer came to him and said the house is yours

here’s the key it’s a present from me

here’s the key it’s a present from me the Builder immediately regretted that

the Builder immediately regretted that

the Builder immediately regretted that he had not used the best materials and

he had not used the best materials and

he had not used the best materials and engaged the most capable workers if only

engaged the most capable workers if only

engaged the most capable workers if only he had known that the house was for him

he had known that the house was for him

he had known that the house was for him whoa

if he had made a commitment with his

if he had made a commitment with his life with his craft that I’m gonna give

life with his craft that I’m gonna give

life with his craft that I’m gonna give my best at all time even if this is my

my best at all time even if this is my

my best at all time even if this is my last job I’m gonna give it my best shot

last job I’m gonna give it my best shot

last job I’m gonna give it my best shot because that expresses Who I am

because that expresses Who I am

because that expresses Who I am he would have been more appreciative of

he would have been more appreciative of

he would have been more appreciative of that gift would you imagine that I think

that gift would you imagine that I think

that gift would you imagine that I think that makes a very good point the next

that makes a very good point the next

that makes a very good point the next thing is live each day with integrity

don’t try and get over in life don’t try

don’t try and get over in life don’t try and keep see a lot of people like to try

and keep see a lot of people like to try

and keep see a lot of people like to try and cheat I was with a friend of mine

and cheat I was with a friend of mine

and cheat I was with a friend of mine and we were winning to a service station

and we were winning to a service station

and we were winning to a service station to get some gas they gave me back too

to get some gas they gave me back too

to get some gas they gave me back too much change

much change

much change I discovered it down the road and I was

I discovered it down the road and I was

I discovered it down the road and I was turning around going back I said you a

turning around going back I said you a

turning around going back I said you a fool hey man what when they don’t give

fool hey man what when they don’t give

fool hey man what when they don’t give people enough change you think they

people enough change you think they

people enough change you think they flagged the people down

flagged the people down

flagged the people down I said I’m not responsible for that I’m

I said I’m not responsible for that I’m

I said I’m not responsible for that I’m responsible for me I went back and I

responsible for me I went back and I

responsible for me I went back and I told the guys kills me sir you gave me a

told the guys kills me sir you gave me a

told the guys kills me sir you gave me a $20 bill too much I gave it to the guy I

$20 bill too much I gave it to the guy I

$20 bill too much I gave it to the guy I just took and walked away didn’t say

just took and walked away didn’t say

just took and walked away didn’t say thank you the guy in the car laughs and

thank you the guy in the car laughs and

thank you the guy in the car laughs and I told you you fool I’ll accept that I

I told you you fool I’ll accept that I

I told you you fool I’ll accept that I said I’m not responsible for his

said I’m not responsible for his

said I’m not responsible for his attitude I don’t care knowing that he

attitude I don’t care knowing that he

attitude I don’t care knowing that he would not say thank you I would still

would not say thank you I would still

would not say thank you I would still give it back to him

give it back to him

give it back to him because my image of myself says hey you

because my image of myself says hey you

because my image of myself says hey you don’t take something that doesn’t belong

don’t take something that doesn’t belong

don’t take something that doesn’t belong to you

to you

to you that’s the way my mother raised me don’t

that’s the way my mother raised me don’t

that’s the way my mother raised me don’t try and cheat so well do you know this

try and cheat so well do you know this

try and cheat so well do you know this little bit won’t count everything counts

little bit won’t count everything counts

little bit won’t count everything counts a friend of mine was on welfare away

a friend of mine was on welfare away

a friend of mine was on welfare away after going through a bad experience

after going through a bad experience

after going through a bad experience someone what’d you think she and her

someone what’d you think she and her

someone what’d you think she and her husband became ill they couldn’t work

husband became ill they couldn’t work

husband became ill they couldn’t work for a while and they went on welfare

for a while and they went on welfare

for a while and they went on welfare after they both became physically well

after they both became physically well

after they both became physically well he said look here we don’t ever have to

he said look here we don’t ever have to

he said look here we don’t ever have to go back to where we’re making more money

go back to where we’re making more money

go back to where we’re making more money on welfare than we made when we were

on welfare than we made when we were

on welfare than we made when we were working with all the Medicaid benefits

working with all the Medicaid benefits

working with all the Medicaid benefits and and all of the food stamps and

and and all of the food stamps and

and and all of the food stamps and everything she said no she said we are

everything she said no she said we are

everything she said no she said we are not going to accept the checks anymore

not going to accept the checks anymore

not going to accept the checks anymore he said I’m not going to work now you

he said I’m not going to work now you

he said I’m not going to work now you can go to work if you want to she went

can go to work if you want to she went

can go to work if you want to she went down to the welfare department and said

down to the welfare department and said

down to the welfare department and said don’t send any more checks to my house

don’t send any more checks to my house

don’t send any more checks to my house lady said excuse me

lady said excuse me

lady said excuse me she’s had not been working here 25 years

she’s had not been working here 25 years

she’s had not been working here 25 years no one has ever come in here and said

no one has ever come in here and said

no one has ever come in here and said don’t send any more checks here are you

don’t send any more checks here are you

don’t send any more checks here are you sure you all right yes I am and she went

sure you all right yes I am and she went

sure you all right yes I am and she went home and told her husband don’t look for

home and told her husband don’t look for

home and told her husband don’t look for any more checks because I told him to

any more checks because I told him to

any more checks because I told him to cut the check off now we’ve got to find

cut the check off now we’ve got to find

cut the check off now we’ve got to find something to do and they started a paper

something to do and they started a paper

something to do and they started a paper route and got over 1,500 customers and

route and got over 1,500 customers and

route and got over 1,500 customers and were making money hand over fist in a

were making money hand over fist in a

were making money hand over fist in a spirit of dignity and achievement not

spirit of dignity and achievement not

spirit of dignity and achievement not ripping anybody off that was the

ripping anybody off that was the

ripping anybody off that was the critical choice she could have very

critical choice she could have very

critical choice she could have very easily said well everybody else is doing

easily said well everybody else is doing

easily said well everybody else is doing it why don’t I do it but she decided not

it why don’t I do it but she decided not

it why don’t I do it but she decided not to follow the crowd I like what um

to follow the crowd I like what um

to follow the crowd I like what um Whitaker said what you think about me is

Whitaker said what you think about me is

Whitaker said what you think about me is none of my spiritual business

so when you are keeping integrity with

so when you are keeping integrity with yourself you know that’s going to bring

yourself you know that’s going to bring

yourself you know that’s going to bring you under a lot of pressure the next

you under a lot of pressure the next

you under a lot of pressure the next thing is don’t try to cut a bargain with

thing is don’t try to cut a bargain with

thing is don’t try to cut a bargain with life life is not Donald Trump life will

life life is not Donald Trump life will

life life is not Donald Trump life will not give you any special deals because

not give you any special deals because

not give you any special deals because you maintain a sense of integrity

anybody ever try to cut a deal raise

anybody ever try to cut a deal raise your hand please if you know top cover

your hand please if you know top cover

your hand please if you know top cover if you try to cut a deal there are no

if you try to cut a deal there are no

if you try to cut a deal there are no deals there are no deals you’ve got to

deals there are no deals you’ve got to

deals there are no deals you’ve got to do what you do because not within your

do what you do because not within your

do what you do because not within your tear your motives that you’re going to

tear your motives that you’re going to

tear your motives that you’re going to get some special benefit or some special

get some special benefit or some special

get some special benefit or some special treatment in the universe no doesn’t

treatment in the universe no doesn’t

treatment in the universe no doesn’t mean that somebody might not steal your

mean that somebody might not steal your

mean that somebody might not steal your car while you’re trying to do some good

car while you’re trying to do some good

car while you’re trying to do some good for somebody now there won’t be any

for somebody now there won’t be any

for somebody now there won’t be any special light around your car they will

special light around your car they will

special light around your car they will take your cartoon

take your cartoon

take your cartoon all the good people you’re gonna go to

all the good people you’re gonna go to

all the good people you’re gonna go to you’ve got to do what you do because

you’ve got to do what you do because

you’ve got to do what you do because that expresses who you are and for no

that expresses who you are and for no

that expresses who you are and for no other reason they might not have a

other reason they might not have a

other reason they might not have a banquet to recognize you or give you a

banquet to recognize you or give you a

banquet to recognize you or give you a special plaque and then I dedicate a day

special plaque and then I dedicate a day

special plaque and then I dedicate a day in your name know do what you do because

in your name know do what you do because

in your name know do what you do because that’s you the next thing is dedicate

that’s you the next thing is dedicate

that’s you the next thing is dedicate your life to something dedicate your

your life to something dedicate your

your life to something dedicate your life to a cause larger than yourself

life to a cause larger than yourself

life to a cause larger than yourself see if you dedicate your life to a cause

see if you dedicate your life to a cause

see if you dedicate your life to a cause larger than yourself you’re not

larger than yourself you’re not

larger than yourself you’re not following in the crowd see if your life

following in the crowd see if your life

following in the crowd see if your life is not dedicated to something of value

is not dedicated to something of value

is not dedicated to something of value and I like what Howard Thurman said who

and I like what Howard Thurman said who

and I like what Howard Thurman said who was one of the mentors to dr. Benjamin

was one of the mentors to dr. Benjamin

was one of the mentors to dr. Benjamin Mays who was a mentor to dr. Martin

Mays who was a mentor to dr. Martin

Mays who was a mentor to dr. Martin Luther King he said the quality of life

Luther King he said the quality of life

Luther King he said the quality of life is often determined by that to which the

is often determined by that to which the

is often determined by that to which the individual is dedicated if the

individual is dedicated if the

individual is dedicated if the dedication of the light is vague and

dedication of the light is vague and

dedication of the light is vague and diffused the quality is apt to be poor

diffused the quality is apt to be poor

diffused the quality is apt to be poor and weak there is much to be said for

and weak there is much to be said for

and weak there is much to be said for the intensity of life see most people

the intensity of life see most people

the intensity of life see most people are not intense about living most people

are not intense about living most people

are not intense about living most people are very casual about life they haven’t

are very casual about life they haven’t

are very casual about life they haven’t found anything to become intense power

found anything to become intense power

found anything to become intense power so when you dedicate your life you don’t

so when you dedicate your life you don’t

so when you dedicate your life you don’t care anything about the odds somebody

care anything about the odds somebody

care anything about the odds somebody say when the dream is big enough to arms

say when the dream is big enough to arms

say when the dream is big enough to arms don’t matter

don’t matter

don’t matter see when you dedicate your life you

see when you dedicate your life you

see when you dedicate your life you bring on a special power there’s a power

bring on a special power there’s a power

bring on a special power there’s a power in you that people’s circumstances

in you that people’s circumstances

in you that people’s circumstances events and I’m not talking about the

events and I’m not talking about the

events and I’m not talking about the physical you I’m talking about the real

physical you I’m talking about the real

physical you I’m talking about the real you the indestructible invincible

you the indestructible invincible

you the indestructible invincible perfect essence of who you really are

perfect essence of who you really are

perfect essence of who you really are that can bring a government to its knees

that can bring a government to its knees

that can bring a government to its knees that can change the course of history

that can change the course of history

that can change the course of history when you dedicate your life like a

when you dedicate your life like a

when you dedicate your life like a Nelson Mandela who has decided to

Nelson Mandela who has decided to

Nelson Mandela who has decided to sacrifice his freedom all he has to do

sacrifice his freedom all he has to do

sacrifice his freedom all he has to do is say whatever the government wants him

is say whatever the government wants him

is say whatever the government wants him to say and then let him go free and he

to say and then let him go free and he

to say and then let him go free and he can go to a foreign nation and say

can go to a foreign nation and say

can go to a foreign nation and say I just said that because I’ve been in

I just said that because I’ve been in

I just said that because I’ve been in prison for over 20 years and nobody will

prison for over 20 years and nobody will

prison for over 20 years and nobody will say well Nelson Youth solo no one would

say well Nelson Youth solo no one would

say well Nelson Youth solo no one would say that they will say wait a minute

say that they will say wait a minute

say that they will say wait a minute Nelson you gave over 20 years of your

Nelson you gave over 20 years of your

Nelson you gave over 20 years of your life what more can we ask of you it’s

life what more can we ask of you it’s

life what more can we ask of you it’s okay but because of his integrity with

okay but because of his integrity with

okay but because of his integrity with himself and he’s dedicated his life to

himself and he’s dedicated his life to

himself and he’s dedicated his life to break the back of apartheid and free his

break the back of apartheid and free his

break the back of apartheid and free his people it was Benjamin Disraeli he says

people it was Benjamin Disraeli he says

people it was Benjamin Disraeli he says nothing can resist the will of the

nothing can resist the will of the

nothing can resist the will of the people that will stake even their

people that will stake even their

people that will stake even their existence on the extent of their purpose

existence on the extent of their purpose

existence on the extent of their purpose for good that when you dedicate your

for good that when you dedicate your

for good that when you dedicate your life to something you bring on some

life to something you bring on some

life to something you bring on some powers in the universe that works

powers in the universe that works

powers in the universe that works through you to bring about changes that

through you to bring about changes that

through you to bring about changes that you would never ever know unless you

you would never ever know unless you

you would never ever know unless you have dedicated yourself

so I say to you that there is a mother

so I say to you that there is a mother Teresa in you that some work for you to

Teresa in you that some work for you to

Teresa in you that some work for you to do I say to you that there is a Nelson

do I say to you that there is a Nelson

do I say to you that there is a Nelson Mandela in you that that kind of

Mandela in you that that kind of

Mandela in you that that kind of commitment that kind of spirit that kind

commitment that kind of spirit that kind

commitment that kind of spirit that kind of personal power that kind of vision of

of personal power that kind of vision of

of personal power that kind of vision of allowing yourself to be used by life is

allowing yourself to be used by life is

allowing yourself to be used by life is in you that all of us came here to do

in you that all of us came here to do

in you that all of us came here to do something to make a difference and in a

something to make a difference and in a

something to make a difference and in a historical context the world will never

historical context the world will never

historical context the world will never be the same again because you came this

be the same again because you came this

be the same again because you came this way

way

way anytime somebody asked me how I’m doing

anytime somebody asked me how I’m doing

anytime somebody asked me how I’m doing I say I’m doing better than good and

I say I’m doing better than good and

I say I’m doing better than good and better than most and sometimes even

better than most and sometimes even

better than most and sometimes even better than that let me tell you where I

better than that let me tell you where I

better than that let me tell you where I got that from when I was involved in

got that from when I was involved in

got that from when I was involved in broadcasting I used to have the first

broadcasting I used to have the first

broadcasting I used to have the first hour of my show as a disc jockey in

hour of my show as a disc jockey in

hour of my show as a disc jockey in Columbus Ohio I used to give an

Columbus Ohio I used to give an

Columbus Ohio I used to give an inspiration of program and there was a

inspiration of program and there was a

inspiration of program and there was a lady that used to call me by the name of

lady that used to call me by the name of

lady that used to call me by the name of Audrey Pell Moore Audrey worked at

Audrey Pell Moore Audrey worked at

Audrey Pell Moore Audrey worked at University Hospital Audrey was an

University Hospital Audrey was an

University Hospital Audrey was an enthusiastic personality that everybody

enthusiastic personality that everybody

enthusiastic personality that everybody liked her I mean she had a radiant smile

liked her I mean she had a radiant smile

liked her I mean she had a radiant smile and she was just one of those people

and she was just one of those people

and she was just one of those people you’ll meet one of those people that

you’ll meet one of those people that

you’ll meet one of those people that everybody gets like me she was one of

everybody gets like me she was one of

everybody gets like me she was one of those kind of folks already became

those kind of folks already became

those kind of folks already became stricken with musculus chlorosis at a

stricken with musculus chlorosis at a

stricken with musculus chlorosis at a very young age and after a while she

very young age and after a while she

very young age and after a while she became confined to wheelchair she had

became confined to wheelchair she had

became confined to wheelchair she had children and because of her of physical

children and because of her of physical

children and because of her of physical deterioration she could no longer take

deterioration she could no longer take

deterioration she could no longer take care of her children and she had to be

care of her children and she had to be

care of her children and she had to be confined to a nursing home Alum Creek

confined to a nursing home Alum Creek

confined to a nursing home Alum Creek nursing home on Nelson Avenue in

nursing home on Nelson Avenue in

nursing home on Nelson Avenue in Columbus Ohio

Columbus Ohio

Columbus Ohio Audrey used to have the nurses at the

Audrey used to have the nurses at the

Audrey used to have the nurses at the hospital called the radio station and

hospital called the radio station and

hospital called the radio station and put the phone to her ear and she would

put the phone to her ear and she would

put the phone to her ear and she would ask for a certain request and I would

ask for a certain request and I would

ask for a certain request and I would ask her to say a few words to the

ask her to say a few words to the

ask her to say a few words to the listening audience one day while I was

listening audience one day while I was

listening audience one day while I was doing my program I got a call from one

doing my program I got a call from one

doing my program I got a call from one of my regular callers young lady by the

of my regular callers young lady by the

of my regular callers young lady by the name of Shirley Shirley in this

name of Shirley Shirley in this

name of Shirley Shirley in this particular day there was a sound in her

particular day there was a sound in her

particular day there was a sound in her voice and I detected that something was

voice and I detected that something was

voice and I detected that something was wrong and she said to me it’s nice

wrong and she said to me it’s nice

wrong and she said to me it’s nice talking to you les I’ll be senior that’s

talking to you les I’ll be senior that’s

talking to you les I’ll be senior that’s the wait wait hold a minute surely

the wait wait hold a minute surely

the wait wait hold a minute surely there’s something wrong she says there’s

there’s something wrong she says there’s

there’s something wrong she says there’s nothing wrong I said there is Shirley I

nothing wrong I said there is Shirley I

nothing wrong I said there is Shirley I know you come on Shirley what’s wrong

know you come on Shirley what’s wrong

know you come on Shirley what’s wrong where Shirley had been diagnosed as

where Shirley had been diagnosed as

where Shirley had been diagnosed as having cancer the breast and they told

having cancer the breast and they told

having cancer the breast and they told her that she had a 60/40 chance of not

her that she had a 60/40 chance of not

her that she had a 60/40 chance of not surviving during the time that she had

surviving during the time that she had

surviving during the time that she had had a medical examination her husband

had a medical examination her husband

had a medical examination her husband had become distant through the pressure

had become distant through the pressure

had become distant through the pressure of losing her husband and the illness

of losing her husband and the illness

of losing her husband and the illness she just felt hey I’m not the kind of

she just felt hey I’m not the kind of

she just felt hey I’m not the kind of person that can handle suffering and I

person that can handle suffering and I

person that can handle suffering and I rather just ended quickly she was at a

rather just ended quickly she was at a

rather just ended quickly she was at a critical point in her life and this is

critical point in her life and this is

critical point in her life and this is the option that she decided to take I

the option that she decided to take I

the option that she decided to take I did everything I could to discourage her

did everything I could to discourage her

did everything I could to discourage her to give her a reason to want to go on

to give her a reason to want to go on

to give her a reason to want to go on living I was trying to find something

living I was trying to find something

living I was trying to find something that she can hold on to that would give

that she can hold on to that would give

that she can hold on to that would give her a sense of hope some thread and then

her a sense of hope some thread and then

her a sense of hope some thread and then I used Scripture and everything and one

I used Scripture and everything and one

I used Scripture and everything and one of my fallback positions lord grant me

of my fallback positions lord grant me

of my fallback positions lord grant me the serenity to accept the things that I

the serenity to accept the things that I

the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change the courage to change the

cannot change the courage to change the

cannot change the courage to change the things that I can and the wisdom to know

things that I can and the wisdom to know

things that I can and the wisdom to know the difference

the difference

the difference and she didn’t budge that did not work

and she didn’t budge that did not work

and she didn’t budge that did not work and I was out of my arsenal of what can

and I was out of my arsenal of what can

and I was out of my arsenal of what can I do to hold on to her to get her to

I do to hold on to her to get her to

I do to hold on to her to get her to change her mind to create a shift in her

change her mind to create a shift in her

change her mind to create a shift in her thinking and the thought came to me I

thinking and the thought came to me I

thinking and the thought came to me I said Shirley could you wait until

said Shirley could you wait until

said Shirley could you wait until tomorrow

she waited for a long time before she

she waited for a long time before she answered she said why tomorrow I said

answered she said why tomorrow I said

answered she said why tomorrow I said because if you wait until tomorrow I’d

because if you wait until tomorrow I’d

because if you wait until tomorrow I’d like to take you by to see audrey

like to take you by to see audrey

like to take you by to see audrey parramore

parramore

parramore you remember Audrey that I talk about

you remember Audrey that I talk about

you remember Audrey that I talk about all the time on the air she said yes I

all the time on the air she said yes I

all the time on the air she said yes I like her I would like to meet her and

like her I would like to meet her and

like her I would like to meet her and she met me at the Alum Creek nursing

she met me at the Alum Creek nursing

she met me at the Alum Creek nursing home then when we got there we were both

home then when we got there we were both

home then when we got there we were both very silent because I’ve made a pact

very silent because I’ve made a pact

very silent because I’ve made a pact with her that if this was not enough to

with her that if this was not enough to

with her that if this was not enough to discourage her from taking her life then

discourage her from taking her life then

discourage her from taking her life then I would honor our agreement and I would

I would honor our agreement and I would

I would honor our agreement and I would just release her and I was going to talk

just release her and I was going to talk

just release her and I was going to talk to somebody else to try and get I didn’t

to somebody else to try and get I didn’t

to somebody else to try and get I didn’t tell her that as we walked down the hall

tell her that as we walked down the hall

tell her that as we walked down the hall I did not know exactly what to expect I

I did not know exactly what to expect I

I did not know exactly what to expect I had not seen Audrey for some time when

had not seen Audrey for some time when

had not seen Audrey for some time when we walked in the room there Audrey was

we walked in the room there Audrey was

we walked in the room there Audrey was all twisted physically deformed she had

all twisted physically deformed she had

all twisted physically deformed she had no voluntary use of her arms she

no voluntary use of her arms she

no voluntary use of her arms she couldn’t even fan a fly out of her face

couldn’t even fan a fly out of her face

couldn’t even fan a fly out of her face she couldn’t get up and move around and

she couldn’t get up and move around and

she couldn’t get up and move around and we had to get closest to her because her

we had to get closest to her because her

we had to get closest to her because her vision was blurred and she can’t speak

vision was blurred and she can’t speak

vision was blurred and she can’t speak very loudly and I’m hearing was somewhat

very loudly and I’m hearing was somewhat

very loudly and I’m hearing was somewhat impaired and as we drew closer to her I

impaired and as we drew closer to her I

impaired and as we drew closer to her I said Audrey this is less and I have a

said Audrey this is less and I have a

said Audrey this is less and I have a friend with me named Shirley how you

friend with me named Shirley how you

friend with me named Shirley how you doing Audrey and with what strength she

doing Audrey and with what strength she

doing Audrey and with what strength she had she said better than good and better

had she said better than good and better

had she said better than good and better than most

[Music]

[Music] and surely I know as the tears begin to

and surely I know as the tears begin to

and surely I know as the tears begin to form in our eyes I know she had to be

form in our eyes I know she had to be

form in our eyes I know she had to be faking that here this woman is she’s

faking that here this woman is she’s

faking that here this woman is she’s been on her back a prisoner in her body

been on her back a prisoner in her body

been on her back a prisoner in her body for 17 years she can’t turn us up she

for 17 years she can’t turn us up she

for 17 years she can’t turn us up she can’t get up and go to the restroom she

can’t get up and go to the restroom she

can’t get up and go to the restroom she said to be less I’d love to be able to

said to be less I’d love to be able to

said to be less I’d love to be able to get up and walk out of here with you I’d

get up and walk out of here with you I’d

get up and walk out of here with you I’d love to be able to take care of my

love to be able to take care of my

love to be able to take care of my children to be a mother to them to see

children to be a mother to them to see

children to be a mother to them to see them graduate from high school she said

them graduate from high school she said

them graduate from high school she said less I can’t do that and I’m doing

less I can’t do that and I’m doing

less I can’t do that and I’m doing better than good and better than most

better than good and better than most

better than good and better than most Shirley had to be saying within us up

Shirley had to be saying within us up

Shirley had to be saying within us up what right do I have to feel sorry for

what right do I have to feel sorry for

what right do I have to feel sorry for myself what right do I have to cry out

myself what right do I have to cry out

myself what right do I have to cry out why me and she decided and left there

why me and she decided and left there

why me and she decided and left there with a commitment that she wanted to

with a commitment that she wanted to

with a commitment that she wanted to live with whatever time that she had

live with whatever time that she had

live with whatever time that she had left that she had no right to cut the

left that she had no right to cut the

left that she had no right to cut the time off she had no right to do that

time off she had no right to do that

time off she had no right to do that and she left there with a new

and she left there with a new

and she left there with a new determination a new spirit about her and

determination a new spirit about her and

determination a new spirit about her and that’s something about what we have but

that’s something about what we have but

that’s something about what we have but you have there sometimes your options

you have there sometimes your options

you have there sometimes your options are frozen the Audrey can’t walk out of

are frozen the Audrey can’t walk out of

are frozen the Audrey can’t walk out of a hospital she did not have the capacity

a hospital she did not have the capacity

a hospital she did not have the capacity to take care of her children but she had

to take care of her children but she had

to take care of her children but she had a freedom of stearic and that’s what we

a freedom of stearic and that’s what we

a freedom of stearic and that’s what we have wherever we are whatever hand that

have wherever we are whatever hand that

have wherever we are whatever hand that life has dealt us we have the freedom of

life has dealt us we have the freedom of

life has dealt us we have the freedom of spirit we can go through life whining

spirit we can go through life whining

spirit we can go through life whining and weeping or we can have the kind of

and weeping or we can have the kind of

and weeping or we can have the kind of spirit that people will say hey there’s

spirit that people will say hey there’s

spirit that people will say hey there’s a blessing to be around that person the

a blessing to be around that person the

a blessing to be around that person the staff at the hospital used to go in her

staff at the hospital used to go in her

staff at the hospital used to go in her room to be encouraged and inspired by

room to be encouraged and inspired by

room to be encouraged and inspired by her because she didn’t feel sorry for

her because she didn’t feel sorry for

her because she didn’t feel sorry for herself and she didn’t go through life

herself and she didn’t go through life

herself and she didn’t go through life blaming everybody I’m reminded by young

blaming everybody I’m reminded by young

blaming everybody I’m reminded by young guys who was on a bus a little young

guys who was on a bus a little young

guys who was on a bus a little young fellow and some kids were picking at him

fellow and some kids were picking at him

fellow and some kids were picking at him some bigger guys they kept on thumping

some bigger guys they kept on thumping

some bigger guys they kept on thumping him on the head and hiding their hand

him on the head and hiding their hand

him on the head and hiding their hand and so he got tired of them doing that

and so he got tired of them doing that

and so he got tired of them doing that and he stood up so he would not be

and he stood up so he would not be

and he stood up so he would not be around I’m out of their reach and they

around I’m out of their reach and they

around I’m out of their reach and they took him and said sit down shut him down

took him and said sit down shut him down

took him and said sit down shut him down and he stood back up so I don’t want to

and he stood back up so I don’t want to

and he stood back up so I don’t want to sit down I said sit down

sit down I said sit down

sit down I said sit down didn’t Johnny pushed him back down I

didn’t Johnny pushed him back down I

didn’t Johnny pushed him back down I don’t want to sit down he said sit down

don’t want to sit down he said sit down

don’t want to sit down he said sit down held him down and he looked at him he

held him down and he looked at him he

held him down and he looked at him he said you might hold me down but I’m

said you might hold me down but I’m

said you might hold me down but I’m standing up inside myself

and what we have got to do is know that

and what we have got to do is know that there’s something about you there’s

there’s something about you there’s

there’s something about you there’s something about us there’s a power in

something about us there’s a power in

something about us there’s a power in you that regardless of what happens to

you that regardless of what happens to

you that regardless of what happens to you you can stand up inside of yourself

you you can stand up inside of yourself

you you can stand up inside of yourself I think that’s what the pork meant when

I think that’s what the pork meant when

I think that’s what the pork meant when he says out of the night that covers me

he says out of the night that covers me

he says out of the night that covers me black as the pit from pole to pole I

black as the pit from pole to pole I

black as the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever God’s there may be for my

thank whatever God’s there may be for my

thank whatever God’s there may be for my unconquerable soul

unconquerable soul

unconquerable soul you have an uncomfortable soul

you have an uncomfortable soul

you have an uncomfortable soul [Music]

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