inspiring slides

WelcomeWelcome to a small collection of

inspiring content that provides me with ‘occasional wisdom’. This

presentation is a small collection of stories, quotes and poems that

continue to inspire me.

Enjoy!

Brad Waldron

Tuesday, 19 March 13

Two Lions in his HeartAn elderly Zulu warrior was talking to his grandchild.

"It is though I have two lions in my heart," he said. "One is a vengeful creature seeking destruction and the other is a compassionate, loving creature."

"Which one will win?" asked the child. "The one I feed" was his reply.


Making a DifferenceA man was jogging down the beach after a major storm had just come through the area. He was dismayed by the huge number of starfish that the storm had washed up on the beach. He thought that there was nothing he could do because of the immense numbers.

As he continued down the beach he saw an old man throw something into the water. As he got closer, he saw the old man walk a little farther down the beach, bend over, pick up a starfish and throw it back into the water. As the jogger approached, the old man stopped again, bent over, picked up another starfish and was about to throw it into the water. The jogger stopped and asked "Why are you doing that? There are thousands of starfish on the beach. You can't possibly make a difference."

The old man looked at the starfish, threw it back into the water, then replied, "I made a difference to that one, didn't I?"


1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours the en5re period.

2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-‐5me informal school called Life. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons.Growth is a process of trial and error: experimenta5on. The "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ul5mately "work."

4. A lesson is repeated un?l learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms un5l you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can then go on to the next lesson.

5. Learning lessons does not end. There is no part of life that does not contain its lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned.

6. "There" is no beEer than "here." When your "there" has become a "here," you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look beGer than "here."

7. Others are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.

8. What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.

9. Life is exactly what you think it is. You create a life that matches your beliefs and expecta5ons.

10. Your answers lie inside you. The answers to life's ques5ons lie inside you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.

11. You will forget all this.

12. You can remember it whenever you want.

12 Rules for BeingHuman


It knows it must out run, out smart and out manoeuvre the fastest

Lion in order to live.

Everyday on the same plains the Lion wakes up. It knows it must

out run, out smart and out manoeuvre the slowest Buffalo in order

to live.

In our business it doesn’t matter whether we see ourselves as a

Buffalo or a Lion

When the sun comes up we’d better be running.”

Everyday on the African

Plains a Buffalo wakes

up


Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our Light, not our Darkness, that frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are we NOT to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel unsure about you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

1994 Inaugural SpeechTuesday, 19 March 13

FootprintsOne night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene from his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times I his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints, I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me”.

The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During the times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you”.


If I Had My Life to Live Over Againby Nadine Stair at age 85

If I had my life to live over again, I'd try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I know of very few things I would take seriously.

I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets.

I would burn more gasoline. I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans. I would have more actual problems and fewer imaginary ones.

You see , I am one of those people who live prophylactically and sensibly and sanely. Hour after hour. Day by Day.

Oh, I have had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd having nothing else. Just moments, one right after another instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I have been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a rain coat, and a parachute.

If I had it to do over again, I would go places and do things and travel lighter than I have. If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.I would play hookey more often. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I'd pick more dasies.


Walk the Second Mile“So you think I’m courageous?” she asked.“Yes, I do.”“Perhaps I am. But that’s because I’ve had some of inspiring teachers. I’ll tell you about one of them. Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at Standford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Lisa who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her five-year-old-brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, ‘Yes, I’ll do it if it will save Lisa.’

“As the transfusion progressed, he lay in a bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the colour return to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked in a trembling voice, ‘Will I start to die right away?’

“Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to give her all his blood.

“Yes, I’ve learned courage,” she added, “because I’ve had inspiring teachers.”

Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior - Dan Millman


Chip Away What’s Not You

In a small village in Africa and old man sat outside his humble home working on a large chunk of wood he was sculpturing.

A group of young children gathered around and watched and, as only children can, asked many questions and distracted the old man to such an extent that he finally took his work inside and closed the door.

Sometime later when his work was complete he opened his door wide and pulled back the blinds. It did not take long for the curious children to gather outside and finally slowly, one by one, they entered the little house and to their surprise in place of the large chunk of wood stood a very beautiful highly polished Hippo.

One little boy asked, “How did you know that there was a Hippo hidden inside that piece of wood?”

And the old man replied, “Do you remember that rough piece of wood you saw me working on some time ago? Well. As we grow up we become a little like that wood, because without a relationship with God we build layers of sin around us. And then one day as we discover that God loves us and forgives us for our sins as we repent for them He chips away all that is not perfect and in time He reveals to all the unique special person we all are – far more beautiful than the Hippo that you see here!”

Just as here I have chipped away everything that is not a Hippo, God chips away everything that is not Him.

How did you know there wasa Hippo within that

chunk of wood?


Tributes

After dying in a car crash, three friends go to Heaven for orientation. They are all asked the same question: "When you are in your casket, and friends and family are mourning over you, what would you like to hear them say about you?"

The first guy immediately responds, "I would like to hear them say that I was one of the great doctors of my time, and a great family man."

The second guy says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in the children of tomorrow."

The last guy thinks a minute and replies, "I guess I'd like to hear them say, 'Look, he's moving!"


The Goose Story Next autumn, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flyng in a V formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:

• As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.

• By flying in V formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

• When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way as we are.

• When the lead goose gets tired it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies the point.

It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs with people or with geese flying south.

• Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

What do we say when we honk from behind?

• Finally - and this is important - when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gun shots, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation, to catch up with their group.

If we have the sense of a goose we will stand together like that!

-Source UnknownEmergency Librarian 1991


Creation: A Sioux Story

The Creator gathered all of Creation and said, "I want to hide somethingfrom the humans until they are ready for it. It is the realisation that they

create their own reality."

The eagle said, "Give it to me, I will take it to the moon."

The Creator said, "No. One day they will go there and find it."

The salmon said, "I will bury it on the bottom of the ocean."

"No. They will go there too."

The buffalo said, "I will bury it on the Great Plains."

The Creator said, "They will cut into the skin of the Earth and find it eventhere."

Grandmother Mole, who lives in the breast of Mother Earth, and who has nophysical eyes but sees with spiritual eyes, said, "Put it inside of them."

And the Creator said, "It is done."


The Street

1. I walk down the street, There's a deep hole in the pavement, I fall in. I am lost...........I am hopeless. It isn't my fault, It takes forever to find a way out.

2. I walk down the same street, There is a deep hole in the pavement, I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place. But it isn't my

fault, It still takes a long time to get out.

3. I walk down the same street, There is a deep hole in the pavement, I see it is there. I still fall in..........it's a habit. My eyes are open, I know where I am. It is

my fault. I get out immediately.

4. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the pavement.I walk around it.

5. I walk down another street.

Portia Nelson


‘THE INVITATION’

By Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Native American Elder

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living,I want to know what you ache for,And if you dare dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love,

For your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring the moon.I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow,If you have been opened to life’s betrayals orHave become shrivelled and closed for fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own,Without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own,If you can dance with wildness and let ecstasy fill you,

To the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful,Be realistic, or remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself,If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy.I want to know if you can see beauty,Even when it is not pretty every day,And if you can source your life from your spirit’s presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours or mine,And still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair,

Weary and bruised to the bone, and to do what needs to be done, for the children.It doesn’t interest me who you are or how you came to be here.I want to know if you will stand still in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.I want to know if you can be alone with yourself,And if you truly like the company you keep in empty moments.


St Francis’ Creed

Let me be an instrument for givingWhere there is hatred let me give loveWhere there is injury, pardonWhere there is despair, hopeWhere there is doubt' faithWhere there is darkness' lightWhere there is sadness, joyTo give and not to count the costFight, and not to heed the woundsToil, and not seek for restLabour, and not ask for any reward,Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to consoleNot so much to be understood as to understandNot so much to be loved as to loveFor it is in the giving that we receiveIt is in the pardoning that we are pardonedIt is in the dying that we awake to eternal life

St Francis of Assisi (Patron St of animals)


THE RACE


"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!"They shout at me and plead"There's just too much against you nowThis time you can't succeed" And as I start to hang my headIn front of failure's faceMy downward fall is brokenBy the memory of a race

And hope refills my weakened willAs I recall that scene:For just the memory of that short raceRejuvenates my being.

A children's race - young boys, young menHow I remember well.Excitement, sure! But also fear:It wasn't hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hopeEach thought to win that raceOr tie for first, or if not that,At least take second place.

And fathers watched from off the sideEach cheering for his sonAnd each boy hoped to show his dadThat he would be the one

The whistle blew and off they wentYoung hearts and hopes afireTo win and be the hero thereWas each young boy's desire

And one boy in particularWhose dad was in the crowdWas running in the lead and thought:"My dad will be so proud!"

But as they speeded down the fieldAcross a shallow dipThe little boy who thought to winLost his step and slipped

Trying hard to catch himselfHis hands flew out to braceAnd mid the laughter of the crowdHe fell flat on his face

So down he fell and with him hope- He couldn't win it now -Embarrassed, sad, he only wishedTo disappear somehow.

But as he fell his dad stood upAnd showed his anxious faceWhich to the boy so clearly said:"Get up and win the race."

He quickly rose, no damage done- Behind a bit that's all -And ran with all his mind and mightTo make up for his fall

So anxious to restore himself - To catch up and to win - His mind went faster than his legs:He slipped and fell again!

He wished then he had quit beforeWith only one disgrace"I'm hopeless as a runner now;I shouldn't try to race."

But in the laughing crowd he searchedAnd found his father's face;That steady look which said again

"Get up and win the race!"

So up he jumped to try again - Ten yards behind the last - "If I'm to gain those yards," he thought"I've got to move real fast."

Exerting everything he hadHe regained eight or ten,But trying hard to catch the leadHe slipped and fell again!

Defeat! He lied there silently- A tear dropped from his eye - "There's no sense running anymore:Three strikes: I'm out! Why try!"

The will to rise had disappearedAll hope had fled awaySo far behind, so error prone;A loser all the way

"I've lost, so what's the use," he thought"I'll live with my disgrace."But then he thought about his dadWho soon he'd have to face

"Get up'" an echo sounded low."Get up and take your place;You were not meant for failure here.Get up and win the race."

"With borrowed will get up," it said"You haven't lost at allFor winning is no more than this:To rise each time you fall"So up he rose to run once more,And with a new commitHe resolved that win or loseAt least he wouldn't quit

So far behind the others now - The most he'd ever been -Still he gave it all he hadAnd ran as though to win

Three times he'd fallen, stumbling;Three times he rose again;Too far behind to hope to winHe still ran to the end

They cheered the winning runnerAs he crossed the line first placeHead high, and proud, and happy;No falling, no disgrace

But when the fallen youngsterCrossed the line last place,The crowd gave him the greater cheer,For finishing the race

And even though he came in lastWith head bowed low, unproud,You would have thought he'd won the raceTo listen to the crowd

And to his dad he sadly said,"I didn't do too well.""To me, you won," his father said."You rose each time you fell."

And now when things seem dark and hardAnd difficult to face,The memory of that little boyHelps me in my race

For all of life is like that race,With ups and downs and all.And all you have to do to winIs rise each time you fall.

"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!"They still shout in my face.But another voice within me says;"GET UP AND WIN THE RACE"


I SUPPOSE LEADERSHIP AT

ONE TIME MEANT MUSCLES; BUT

TODAY IT MEANS GETTING ALONG

WITH PEOPLE.


INSPIRING A SHARED VISION

A1 Posters:Layout 1 3/10/07 16:53 Page 2

the inspiring leaderTuesday, 19 March 13

MODELLING THE WAY



the inspiring leaderENABLING OTHERS TO ACT



CHALLENGING THE PROCESS



ENCOURAGING THE HEART



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