
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]
”
Be First to Comment