2 Minute Speeches – Page 6 – Bejoy Peter's Public Speaking ®

August 20, 2020July 19, 2022

How to Speak Without Fear

The first thing to do to speak without fear is your willingness to try. Forget about all the lies about your failure the devil whispers in your mind. Instead, be ready to make a fool of yourself on stage.

Well, that is what you really fear; isn’t it? “What if I make a mistake?” “What will people think about me?” “What if I my mind goes blank on stage?”

Let me tell you the truth point blank:
One, you will make mistakes; I don’t know anyone who does not make them on stage; at least once in a while. I know I do.

Two, people will say good things to you like, “You speech was wonderful.” The best thing to do is not to believe it. For it doesn’t mean anything. And probably they have no more knowledge of the craft of speech than you do.

Three, people have too many things to think about already–the bills they have to pay, how to manage their bad boss at office, and the studies of their children that worry them. Do you think they have time to think about your speech and all its faults? I doubt.

Of course, you will feel humiliated when you make mistakes. For we are made of flesh and blood and emotions and mood swings; aren’t we? So, what’s the big deal? Your failure on stage proved you to be a human being. That’s all to it; and nothing more.

Now how to handle criticism levelled against you. It definitely hurts. Why? Because we have strong egos. Now what does than mean? It is the thinking that I am right (always), and I simply can’t be wrong.

Now think about it this way. It doesn’t matter how good or bad your speech was. Think about improving on it. Be dissatisfied with your best efforts. Then you will be able to see criticism helping you on the road to excellence than tearing you apart.

Finally, let me tell you the secret of success I have personally known and experienced in speaking. To me, it has always been the truth of God’s love to me displayed on the Cross of Calvary where Jesus shed his blood and died.

That has always helped me rise up from defeats, and failures, and mistakes. The identity of being loved and accepted by God in spite of all my shortcomings has given me courage again and again to try.

It has also taught me that failures are integral to the process of becoming good. It teaches you more about humility than anything else.

So face your fears honestly. But don’t make it an excuse to run away from speaking situations. Volunteer to speak. Fail. Fail again and again. The time will come when it will be difficult for you to not to succeed. And still if you fail, let it be so. But tomorrow you will try again; won’t you!

Jesus—the Friend of Sinners!

Jesus Is Risen!

Link to post Short speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks! — Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!

August 20, 2020July 19, 2022

Get to Know Three Reasons Why You Fail

In this short speech, let me try to point out three ways that lead to failure.

Reason #1 If you ask me which is the most important reason why people fail; I can confidently say that it is their inability to say NO when confronted with a wrong choice. In other words such people try to please everybody. They are dominated by “What will others think about me?” thinking.

The failure to say NO with boldness the first time they get a chance to do so is the road that takes many through pain and bitterness and sorrow even though the entry to it was often through the gateway of pleasure.

Reason #2 The second major cause of failure in the modern world is the inability to avoid distractions. We live in a noisy world with a lot of voices and sounds everywhere. You cannot walk through the street without being visually attracted to all the colours and brightly lit adverts everywhere. But these are nothing compared to the distractions that come to us through gadgets especially mobile phones and through social media like Whatsapp and facebook.

The trouble with distractions is that they come in good packets which makes it difficult for you to resist. My friends, distractions takes your eyes off your goals and makes you lose sharp focus. As far as I know, there are not many who has achieved success in life without having pursued it with a single-minded aim.

Reason #3 Interestingly, the next reason for failure is something that will bring a smile to your face. It is nothing other than procrastination. Let me ask you how many times have you postponed doing things you should have done? How many times did such delaying of things dishearten you when pending tasks became a little mountain?

If you wish to avoid this trap, ask two questions when confronted with tasks. Is this urgent? Is this important? Having obtained those answers tackle the hardest and toughest task first. And “Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today,” as Sir Benjamin Franklin said.

There are many other causes for failure. Some among them are, lack of a specific aim or goal; the absence of planning and teamwork, not setting meaningful and realistic deadlines and sticking to it, the inability to persevere in the face of difficulties and setbacks and of course not updating knowledge.

Perhaps you can add many more to this list. But I can assuredly tell you with all confidence that if you work on the three core ideas mentioned in this speech, you can reverse the trend of failure in your life.

Let me repeat those important points once again. To succeed in life, one, learn to say NO with boldness the first time you are confronted with a wrong choice. Two, have the courage to say NO to distractions even when they come in good packets. Three, say NO to laziness; instead prioritize tasks and do things promptly without postponing.

To conclude, let me remind you that winning is a habit in life, a killer instinct you have, fuelled by a burning desire to achieve.

Jesus—the Friend of Sinners!

Jesus Is Risen!

Rise Up and Soar on Wings like Eagles!
A Successful Comeback Is Possible for You!
You Can Overcome Loss of Confidence
Don’t Call Yourself a Failure When All That Happened Was You Failed!
Top Ten Attitudes That Will Make You a Winner in Life
Thank God for All Your Failures
Get to Know Three Reasons Why You Fail
When Success Weds Complacency, It Spells Failure!
Is Slow and Steady Enough to Win the Race?
Do You Feel Like a Failure When Others Reject You
I Believe in Failures! Coach Impacts a Defeated Team with this Inspiring Speech!
Talent Minus Discipline Is Like a Jumbo Jet Without Its Wings You Can Make Winning in Life a Seven-Step Habit!
Remind Yourself That Success Is Just a Few Steps Away When You Are Tempted to Quit
2 Minute Speech on Success–Aim High Is What I Want to Tell You!

August 19, 2020July 26, 2023

You Can Overcome Loss of Confidence

I am yet to meet a genuinely talented person who has not passed through a period of loss of confidence in his or her life or career. Certainly these dark periods of doubt have really made people stronger than before.

When you pass through a period of loss of confidence it is quite natural to brood on all negatives and failures that has happened to you. That is self-defeating. Instead of doing this, think of all your best past performances and believe that you can do it again.

Some people accept loss of confidence as a permanent attachment of their lives! How sad to see people live in the belief that they will never get out of loss of confidence. Such a belief is a lie and totally untrue!

What we need to accept is the fact that for a brief passing period of life we have entered a tunnel experience where all is dark. But hold on. Light will break at the end of the tunnel. Loss of confidence therefore should be accepted as a normal part of life but never accepted as a permanent condition. In this acceptance you will find freedom!

At the same time resist the huge temptation to rush things and the attempt to get back to top gear as quickly as possible. But if you attempt to rush things, that attempt is surely going to backfire on you

Instead take your time. Go it slow. Stop your activity and simply do nothing for long periods. Your mind and body need the stops rather than the notes of music at this time. And remember each person in the same situation of loss of confidence takes a different time to recoup and recover. So take your time and do not allow anyone to rush you!

Your goal at the moment is to get back the rhythm and the passion and the enthusiasm and the effortless grace with which you did things in the past. Till you get back to your absolute best, stay contented on the small stage. Your time to roar and soar is just a few days away!

No matter what the darkness in your life; no matter how great the loss you have faced; no matter whether it was your irresponsibility or mistake; no matter how long you have been out of touch with your best; no matter who or what great odds are pitted against you; no matter how depressed and sorrowful you are now; know that with God nothing is impossible.

As King David rightly expressed,: “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light” (Psalm 18:28). Yes, with God you can. Even before you stop reading this, thank God for the mighty comeback he has enabled in your life. It will happen; it surely will!

A final thought that we need to keep in mind is that loss of confidence is no hopeless condition.

If rightly approached, such a phase in life can bring the best out of us; and can result in an outflow of creative use of our hidden potential and talents. More perhaps has been achieved by people with loss of confidence when they have trusted in the grace of God.

When St. Paul prayed thrice that God would remove a thorn in his flesh (exactly what this source of his loss of confidence was no one knows), the Lord Jesus Christ told him the secret to get the better of it:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses.”

Paul, powered by that word of confidence, became a great achiever in spite of all negatives that happened to him in life. So also we too can achieve trusting in the power of the One whose grace is sufficient in all our loss of confidence and whose power energizes us to rise and conquer in spite of all our weaknesses!

Therefore with St. Paul, let us also confidently say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13 Bible NKJV).

Read You Can Overcome Loss of Confidence on LinkedIn
Positive Thinking

Self-Doubt Can Be Overcome to Make You a Winner

Motivational Speech: The LORD Is My Shepherd

Jesus Is Risen!

August 15, 2020December 12, 2023

When Success Weds Complacency, It Spells Failure!

Let me ask you, “Why is it difficult to maintain success?” The answer can be given in one word–Complacency!

The Cambridge dictionary defines complacency as a feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder.

There are three things you should remember once you have tasted success:

The first thing to remember to counter complacency is that others are working hard to reach where you reached. You simply cannot relax.

Do not think that competition disappears when you have succeeded. The truth is it becomes more competitive than ever. So to stay at the top you need to exercise more vigilance than what it took to take you to the top in the first place.

Remember, when success weds complacency, it spells failure!

The second thing to remember to counter complacency is that you need to be ready to embrace change and adapt new methods. Times and methodologies and technologies are changing rapidly.

What was cutting edge yesterday is blunt tomorrow. Therefore be alert to changing needs and stay ahead by initiating change than following it.

Remember, when success weds complacency, it spells failure!

The third thing to remember to counter complacency is that you should never stop reminding yourself of fundamentals. Fundamentals like proper use of time, building of character, being disciplined, striving after excellence, making best use of opportunities, and a never giving up attitude are all examples.

Why do I stress this point? It is because great men and women, great teams and organizations, nations and empires fell because they compromised on the basics.

Remember, when success weds complacency, it spells failure!

So let me remind you once again. the three points you should remember to counter complacency: One, Others are on the move to reach where you are, probably inspired by your own performance. Two, you need to be flexible and willing to change methodologies as needed. Three, and more importantly remind yourselves of basics all the time.

Let me end by reminding you yet another time: When success weds complacency, it spells failure!

Read Success Weds Complacency on LinkedIn
You Can Find Success God’s Way

Jesus—the Friend of Sinners!

Jesus Is Risen!

August 11, 2020September 20, 2023

Make Money. Grow Rich. Love More!

Let me start with what money cannot buy. It cannot buy love, it cannot buy friendship, it cannot buy peace; but it might save you time and get you temporary happiness.

Money is neither good or evil. When money is in your control it is good; but when money becomes your master you become its slave. And when you start loving money even your loved ones can feel like an obstacle or barrier in fulfiling your goals in life.

With the solemn warning that the love of money, not money as such, is the root of all kinds of evil¹; let me try to give you a few tips on how to make money and grow rich.

First of all, make money grow little by little². Small amounts add up. Small savings starting from your pocket money add up. Save a little every month and keep it aside. Someday when it is a rainy day, what you saved on a sunny day will certainly come to your aid.

Secondly, do not live on borrowed money. Of course buying a car, having an education loan, or constructing a house are exceptions and not the norm. Live within your means and with what is in your hand. Use credit cards with caution and use it wisely.

Hoped-for-money is not yours until you are rewarded for honest hard work; for no one has ever earned a gold medal for laziness! What you need is not more money but wise management of money you already have.

Thirdly, start to give. There are many who need a helping hand in life. The more you give the less worry you have in life. When you can give out of compassion, when you give to help make someone live with respect and dignity; you touch more lives than you dream of.

You needn’t wait for big money in your hand to start giving. Start today, start now with even a ten rupee note in your hand. You know what, giving can be the wisest investment you make in your lifetime for all eternity.

Finally, avoid unnecessary expenses. This in itself will make you earn more than you expect. Switch off lights and fans when you are not in the room. Do not buy little trinkets on impulse when you see them.

If you can walk to the store, why should you take your car out? There are more creative ways in which you can save and double your money than you have probably so far thought about.

Above all, trust God for your finances. You can be poor but if you can seek God’s wisdom for wise stewardship of your limited resources; then you can live on what is available. The fact is that there are so many things in life you can easily do without.

At the end of the day, and beside your grave, all that matters is how rich in life you were in being loved. No man or woman is rich by hoarding up money and never blessing others with it. So let me end now saying, “Make money, grow rich, love more!”

You can read 5 Tips on Money Management (a shortened version of this post) on LinkedIn.

Surely the Day Is Coming: Motivation for Watchful Living

Jesus—the Friend of Sinners!

Jesus Is Risen!

¹1 Timothy 6:10
²Proverbs 13:11

August 10, 2020August 12, 2022

Short Compere Speech Online on Indian Independence Day Celebrations

Good morning one and all.

Welcome all to the 74th Independence day. This time we are celebrating in the midst of a global crisis due to Covid-19.

This is a time we cannot come together to celebrate the joy of independence. At the same time we cannot miss to observe this most important day of Indian history.

Therefore we have joined together online to mark the occasion.

Let us remember with gratitude all freedom fighters and all those who sacrificed much to make India free.

Today, we are in the front ranks of the nations of the world and we can be proud about our secularism and democratic principles that has stood the test of time.

Freedom, as our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in his famous First Independence Day Eve speech Tryst with Destiny ¹ said, brings responsibility. So dear children, freedom not only brings privileges but also duties. Therefore let us join hands today to preserve our hard-earned freedom.

We should remember and never forget that democracy survives on freedom of speech. Therefore tolerance and respect should be the watchwords that we should keep in mind to maintain unity in diversity in this colourful and pluralistic land of rich traditions and ancient heritage.

On this occasion of Indian Independence Day, let us remember the meaningful words of Rabindranath Tagore which he penned in his great work Gitanjali:

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Let us therefore pledge to do all in our strength to guard the flame of independence and freedom that our freedom fighters lit for us.

Let us say no to all divisive forces. Let us salute our national tricolour and proudly say Mera Bharat Mahan!

Short Speech: What Is True Independence?

Jesus—the Friend of Sinners!

Jesus Is Risen!

¹Tryst with Destiny Speech

August 4, 2020October 21, 2023

“Life Is About Passions”

Every achievement in life springs from a burning desire to succeed. It is this burning desire that helps you conquer fear and break out from inhibitions.

Another word for burning desire is passion. What can I compare passion to? It is like a forest fire. It rages wild and burns down everything in its path. Therefore try to fuel passion in life.

Now let me ask you, “Have you met someone with a real burning desire and passion in life?” One thing you cannot miss about such a person is his or her single-minded aim.

He or she is someone who has given up on lesser ambitions and focused sharply on getting one thing done in life. Such a person is a disciplined person who has chiseled away everything else in life that will not contribute to that one aim that has taken hold of his or her heart so powerfully.

Yet another important mark of a passionate person is the ability to utilize time wisely. He will make use of opportunities that come his way. A passionate man knows that time is a resource that is constantly running out and can never be replenished. So he will plan and prioritize and act accordingly.

Finally, know that promotions come to a person with passion. That is because a person with passion is someone who is faithful in the small things of life. Nothing is unimportant to such a person. Whatever he does, he does to the best of his ability and with all of his heart in it. Such a person cannot be stopped from being promoted.

As Jesus Christ said,

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”*

schumacher farewell formula one Schuberth red helmet — Photo Courtesy: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/11/26/schumacher-farewell-formula/

For his farewell Michael Schumacher wore his traditional Schuberth red helmet showing a single thank you message for his fans. “Life is about passions – Thank you for sharing mine” is written on the sides.

Yes, those who live life to the fullest are those who have a burning desire to succeed. Now the question is, “Do you have such a passion?”

Jesus Is Risen!

* (Luke 16:10 Bible).

August 4, 2020July 19, 2022

Don’t Call Yourself a Failure When All That Happened Was You Failed!

If you have not failed, that means probably you succeeded in everything you did or you did not attempt to do anything at all.

The chances are that you never tried. Now why is that so? Most likely you were afraid to try because you feared to make mistakes. But then you already made the big mistake of not attempting.

What is the fear that keeps you from not trying. Isn’t it the fear of failure? Yes, it is!

What happens when you fail? The best thing that happens is that it shows you the stuff you are made of. Failures inspire you to do better next time, helps you learn from your mistakes and makes you desperate about winning. Failures can unmask your pretensions and show you your true character.

Failures also teach you humility. It teaches you that success is a process and not a destination. So there is no reality in classifying certain experiences of life as failures. What you probably call “failure” has done more to mould you into a person with strength of character than anything you achieved and termed as “success.”

So if you ask me, I prefer you to go and risk failure in something that you know to be good. The world may laugh at you. Let it do so.

But you go multiply your attempts. And when the nets come in empty after a long night’s hard work I hope and pray you will hear the voice of God saying “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch!”*

Jesus Is Risen!

_______________________
*Jesus Christ (Luke 5:4 Bible)

July 25, 2020November 11, 2024

Rise Up and Soar on Wings like Eagles!

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles. This is a great promise that God told his people through Prophet Isaiah (40:31).

It tells you about God who has not forgotten you or your struggles in life. He has immense power and wisdom to show himself strong on your behalf.

He is motivating and encouraging you to rise up from your bed of despair. He is calling you to believe in him who will help you to soar on wings like eagles.

Updated: 7th November 2024.

Read related motivational post: God Motivates You to Cross the Finishing Line

When you feel like quitting or giving up; do listen to this motivational podcast.

It will surely inspire you to trust in God who will help you to fly high just like how eagles do.

“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” ¹

¹Isaiah 40:31 Bible NIV 1984.

Featured image courtesy: Photo by Frank Cone on Pexels | Microsoft Designer

Motivational Speech: You Can Rise Up in God’s Strength Today!

7 Motivational Secrets That Will Surely Inspire You

Jesus Is Risen!

July 18, 2020May 29, 2024

By the Rivers of Babylon: A Song of Hope in a Long Night of Captivity!

By the rivers of Babylon is a Psalm¹ that was originally sung by prisoners of hope.

Read Hope for You Today on LinkedIn

To the people taken captives and in exile, to a people who had nothing to look forward to or hope for, God spoke through Prophet Jeremiah asking them not to lose heart but to work with all their hearts in the land of their captivity:

But what means this song to you and me today?

One, it is a message of present opportunity. And it is a clear call to you today as well: Do not look back at lost opportunities and wasted years in life. Instead do what you find to do right now with all your heart and strength. Do it with enthusiasm.

Two, there is promise of God’s help in the midst of hopelessness. The message is that God has not forgotten you even though he has disciplined you. He is compassionate.

Third, God has plans for your life. Even though circumstances of today seem to restrict you, do whatever your hands find to do to the best of your ability.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”²

Yes, there is a future for you. It doesn’t matter how others have tried to make you feel despair, useless, and as having no worth; God will reverse your fortunes once again.

Above all, there is a time God has appointed for the fulfilment of his gracious promise to you. Wait patiently in hope till then.

Therefore do not yield to despair. Instead connect with God. There is no one else who can repair the smudges on the canvas of your life like he can. He listens when your heart sighs in despair and feeling of hopelessness. For,

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.³“

Now listen to the song once again: It was the voice of despair of a people taken captive in war: “Now how shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” It was the cry of broken hearts!

But that was what the captors demanded. “Sing,” they had said. 2500 years later, the very words of lamentation of a people in exile and captivity expressing their inability to sing have conquered the world as a song of hope.³

God Give You the Grace to Overflow with Hope

Jesus Is Risen!

—
¹ Psalm 137 Bible
² Jeremiah 29:11
³ Psalm 34:18
Note: Boney M song ends with the words of another Psalm, Psalm 19.

July 10, 2020July 19, 2022

Fear Change or Change Fear in a Post-pandemic World

Covid 19 has changed the face of the world. Faces have been masked, handshakes are not welcome anymore, social distancing is the norm, classes are online, and work from home (WFH) and video-conferencing is the new culture.

A lot of changes in quick time has happened. And change is never easy.

There are three things you can do to cope with change:

One is acceptance. There is no good in closing your eyes to changed realities. The longer you resist change the harder it becomes for you to adopt and adapt. So show a positive attitude to change.

Second is managing fear. The pandemic has made man realize how fragile life is. Carefully laid plans are disrupted, dreams crash, and hopes dashed in the blink of an eye. Being wise in practical steps and trust in God along with it are the means to handle fear.

Finally, entertain hope each moment. There is no way you can fight against fear without being armed with hope. Situations might look hopeless but you need to make hope a deliberate habit in your thinking.

To conclude, let me say that acceptance of change, being wise and trust in God along with integrating hope in your thinking is the way to stop your worry about fear.

Speech II

First of all, don’t be afraid of change.
It has to be seen in a positive light. Know that every act of change is accompanied by doubts. Some of these doubts, if entertained for a long time, can stop you from acting. Therefore it is important to act and make needed changes before opportunities close their doors on you.

The second step is to know that there is no survival without change.
Though there is nothing new under the sun, change keeps happening. If you resist change, you will soon be outdated. Your competitors will get far ahead when you have not even begun. So be open to change. And be willing to learn and add new skill sets to your profile. Yes, with a learning attitude most of the difficulties accompanying change can be overcome.

Thirdly, be excited about change.
There is nothing like enthusiasm which can change your attitude. Instead of finding excuses for not changing, why not find reasons to be full of joy and anticipation about the change that is coming into your life? After all, expectant mothers look ahead with hope to see the newborn’s face even when they know that their world is going to change dramatically with the arrival of the child!

Finally, many people have found COVID-19 an opportunity to vent their anger against God and to proclaim him dead. I do understand their feelings. There are lot of questions I too do not have an answer to.

But what if the pandemic is a simple reminder from God to man that in spite of man landing on the moon and probing space like never before there are lot of things he is yet to understand!

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Speech III

Even though it sounds very difficult just thank God for all that went wrong this morning if it did for you. Sometimes plans that get upset are Godsend to save you from running into greater difficulties during the day. In our busy world, we often need attention-grabbers; and interruptions early in the day can mean just that.

Know that a bad start does not change the big purpose of your life, whatever that be. Race along in the slow pace that is possible even when you had a bad start. At the end of the day, you’ll be surprised to note that you were able to accomplish far more than you dreamed was possible.

Let me conclude by saying that it doesn’t matter if you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. What matters more is with what attitude you are going to face life today. — “For his [God’s] compassions never fail. They are new every morning” — Lamentations 3:22b, 23a Bible.

Radio Talk: The Spirit of Christmas as Seen in Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol

Jesus Is Risen!

July 8, 2020July 19, 2022

Worried About “What Will Others Think About Me?”

You cannot please everybody. It is like trying to juggle a football, a cricket ball, and a table tennis ball along with a few cups and plates.

And that is not only impossible but even the attempt is futile.

Therefore it is wise to focus on what you do and attempt to do that well each time you do it. Of course there will be people to criticize your mistakes.

Simply accept the fact that no movement or progress is possible without being criticized.

But when that happens there is no need to lose heart.

First of all examine criticism truthfully.
It might have some lesson you can accept to correct your course of action and improve yourself. Never lose that opportunity. But accept it with humility.

Secondly, criticism can dishearten you easily.
You might feel like giving up. If you do you lose a valuable opportunity to show the world how good you are in what you do. When people speak ill of you, sharpen your skills and come back more strongly than ever.

Thirdly, trust the true estimate God has about you.
It is not the colour of your skin that makes you look beautiful in his eyes. Instead it is sheer love for you that made him die for you. No one can snatch you out from his hands. Therefore do not worry, “Am I good enough?”

Let me conclude by asking you my dear friend to humbly accept criticism honestly.
Use criticism as an opportunity to show your strength and not cower in weakness and fear.
Finally, be assured that in spite of all the criticism the world can throw at you and all that you think is not good about you God loves you and accepts you the way you are right now.

Why worry anymore about what others think about you?

A Short Speech on Looking Deep Inside

He Walks in When Everyone Else Has Rejected You and Walked Out on You!

Three Insightful Stories on “What Will Others Think About Me?”

Jesus Is Risen!

July 7, 2020October 23, 2023

A Successful Comeback Is Possible for You!

“You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.”¹

Loss of confidence happens to all talented men and women in certain seasons of life.

When it happens the first thing to believe is that you can come out of it, God helping you.

Again, do not be surprised that you feel totally confused and unable to do so many things you did with ease in the past. That is how it is during a period of loss of confidence.

What you need to do is to look back, look forward, and look up. What you shouldn’t do is look inward and feel helpless.

Instead, look back to your best past performances and believe that you can do it again. Perhaps much better than how you did it then.

Then you need to look forward and focus on dreaming big for your future. Do not focus on the present misery and limit yourself. The greater your dream the better chance for your quickness of recovery.

And when you dream, always think of helping people to be at their best through your success. It will give a greater purpose to your dreams and enthusiasm in your present efforts.

The next thing to do is to look up. God loves you and is always ready to help you. The only thing you need to know is that his sense of timing is different.

He is patient. He takes time to rebuild your confidence. His goal is formation of your character and making you have inner strength and courage.

Perhaps the hidden blessing in loss of confidence is that you become a person with compassion for others. Instead of being puffed up with pride because of your talent and abilities, you learn to stoop down and give a helping hand to those who struggle with lack of confidence themselves.

So cheer up. Your loss of confidence is not going to last long. With hope in God and trust in his unchanging love for you, move forward to climb greater heights than you have ever achieved so far.

You can read A Successful Comeback Is Possible for You on LinkedIn
You Can Find Success God’s Way

Jesus Is Risen!

July 5, 2020August 23, 2023

Keep Loose Hold of Life, for Life Is a Great Gamble!

Not one of us chose to be born. But we were born anyway.
Not one of us chose our parents; nor the place of our birth or the circumstances into which we were born.

We can complain about so many things. Or we can be thankful. Or be forgetful or even worse indifferent.

But there are others who take life as it is. They try to make best use of whatever life has thrown them.

So make the best use of time and opportunities you have even when you have not much choice about what comes your way.

Life in its truest sense comes to those who do not hold on to it. They see life as a stewardship God gifted to them. They are aware that someday the Giver will ask how their life was spent.

Too much engagement with gadgets steal our lives away because we are holding on to what shouldn’t be possessing us.

Some others amass wealth and possessions. But “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”¹

There are a rare few who have said like what Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” The truth I believe is to keep a loose hold on life. What you hold too tight might slip away.

But what you give in service to others, in love and sacrifice, what you gift with a smile and words of encouragement will remain.

The famous lines from the song The Gambler² come to mind:
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done
Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
And knowin’ what to keep

Pink Rain Lilies — 2 Minute Speech on the Meaning of. Life

Is this not what Jesus meant when he said: “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”³?

He perhaps more than anyone else is the greatest Gambler the world has seen. When he died after having shed his blood on the cross and said “It is finished”⁴ he might have looked like a dismal failure. But was it?

You can read Keep Loose Hold of Life; for Life Is a Great Gamble on LinkedIn.

Motivational Speech: The LORD Is My Shepherd

Jesus Is Risen!

¹Luke 12:15
²Written by Don Schlitz and made famous by Kenny Roger’s rendition.
³John 12:25
⁴John 19:30 Bible

When Death Speaks, Listen to Its Meaning!

July 3, 2020July 19, 2022

A Short Speech on the Secret of Finding True Riches

“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places,” is one of God’s great promises.

What could it mean to you? It can mean a lot of things if you earnestly look for it:

Wisdom is wealth that is discovered by those who seek for it earnestly. God gives it to those who ask for it without finding fault.

Love is a treasure that waits to be found. The secret to finding it is having a heart to give and not the craving to get.

Talent is riches. Often it is hidden. And you need to discipline yourself to bring to light the best in you.

Friendships will not blossom if it is left to chance. The riches are for those who desire the highest good for one’s friend.

Life itself is an unfolding of one’s pathway and journey; isn’t it? The future lies unknown. Plans are many. But it is only when you trust God today that tomorrow can be faced with courage and hope.

Finally, treasures and riches mean what it means. We all love to store up money. Nothing wrong with it when it is made through genuine hard work.

Yet Jesus asked us to store up our riches in heaven where moth doesn’t eat and rust doesn’t corrupt. It points out the uncertainty of riches in this world. And the permanence of what is sacrifially given away out of compassion and love for others.

Let me conclude. When God is promising you such great treasures of darkness and riches stored in secret places, will you settle for less?

What Do You Do in Secret?
The 10th Commandment: You Shall Not Covet!

Jesus Is Risen!

June 17, 2020November 11, 2022

Making Fun of Others Will Boomerang One Day Says Class Leader

Good Afternoon Friends,

I stand here today to speak to you because of what happened this morning. One of our classmates had to leave the class in tears. She is our friend; yet our words and actions caused her to leave in shame and distress.

Who is responsible? We all are.

And what is the problem? Somehow we enjoy jokes at other’s expense. Everybody laughs. Maybe even the person about whom the fun was all about also joins in the laughter.

But that doesn’t mean that the fun was cool. Knowingly or without thought we have wrongly succeeded in destroying the sense of worth of another person.

Now why do we crack silly and frivolous comments about someone’s personal appearance or dress or mannerisms? It is an attempt from our part to appear smart by diminishing someone else.

But that never works. You lose respect in the eyes of others when you tear down others through gossip, slander and depreciating comments.

One thing you should remind yourself is not to sit in the seat of mockers or scoffers. Don’t join together with your friends to make fun of others.

The temptation to do so is great, but with a little patience and effort you can overcome the urge to make fun of others. Instead, if you yield to it; someday it will boomerang on you.

I appeal to all who were involved in making fun of our dear friend to understand the deep hurt you have caused her. For you, it was moment’s joke; for her it is a lifetime of pain and shame.

What did you gain by making fun of her? Let me ask you, do you become smarter when you make fun of others? Or does your beauty increase when you demean others by your thoughtless remarks?

My dear friends, I ask you to try your best to redeem the situation. Reach out to her and say with genuine hearts that you’re sorry. There is still a ray of hope that things can be straightened out. Act before it is too late.

Let me conclude by appealing to the whole student community to put to an end to the insensitive act of making fun of others.

Thank you one and all.

Unloved | Rejected | Confused | Life Can Get Better!

Jesus—the Friend of Sinners!

Jesus Is Risen!

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers” — Psalm 1:1 Bible

June 4, 2020July 19, 2022

Forget Your Past for the Train of Life Is Moving Forward

We look at photographs and see a moment that was captured. It is a reminder that the train of life has moved on from there. Therefore we need to learn to move forward in life instead of living in the past.

Often you and me get comfortable with our past triumphs. A new day brings new challenges and new opportunities. We need new plans and new strategies. Living in the glory of the past can blind our eyes to changes that are much needed to achieve success.

Therefore forget the success of your past. Instead adopt and adapt new strategies.

Then there are failures and mistakes made. The longer you keep looking at them is like driving forward looking at the small rear view mirror. It cannot but end in tragedy. You need to show courage to rise up from defeats and fight yet one more round.
Therefore forget your failures. Instead learn lessons from them and try again.

Beyond forgetting success and failures you need to tackle hurts people dented your heart with. Life will always have an element of friction when you deal with people. It cannot be avoided. Sometimes we are at the receiving end. It is painful. It hurts. But do not allow that to make your mind sour. Not easy. But with God’s help you need to keep your mind strong.

Therefore leave your baggage of hurts somewhere. Do not carry the luggage on your head while you sit in a moving train.

Finally, have hope. There is a moment when the grip of the past on your life will be broken. It can happen in spite of the hopeless circumstances you are in.

The train will move on. But the driver has changed. No longer are you in control. Leave it to him. He will do something new. It will take time. Be patient. Endure through tough times.

And you’ll find God reaching out to your messed up past and bring beauty out of its ashes and from its downright despair a song of praise!

So look ahead and see the new thing God will do in your life. Believe it.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” — Isaiah 43:19 Bible.

Jesus Is Risen!

May 21, 2020July 19, 2022

Inspirational Farewell Speech: I Now Stand Alone on the Deck of My Ship!

It is time to say goodbye. I have said it many times before. Yet it has never grown easy.

I now stand alone on the deck of my ship awaiting a new set of passengers.

I will wake up tomorrow with a heavy heart. I will miss you all.

Do not think that the sessions have come to an end. This is not an end but a beginning. What the caterpillar calls an end, the butterfly calls a beginning!

As a Trainer I cannot walk with you all the way. Like Rev. Martin Luther King said the night before he was assasinated, I may not cross with you over to the Promised Land. There is a place where I have to stop and you have to go on.

All of you have shown immense talent. At some point along our journey each one of you discovered who you truly are. You realized your true potential for the first time in your life.

Now it is time to use every opportunity that comes your way. You will certainly make mistakes. You will face criticism.

But remember three things.
One, aim for excellence.
Two, keep on doing what you are good at. Perseverance is the word for it but for ease of remembering let me say endurance.
Three, enjoy speaking.
These are the Three E’s I would like to leave you with:
Excellence!
Endurance!
Enjoyment!

I would like to thank each one of you for being part of this Batch. Each one of you contributed to the success of this class in your own unique way.

Thank you for the love, fun and friendship. I hope it will last for a long time to come. And thank you for the thoughtful gifts you gifted me with. It makes this parting even more difficult.

It is now time to say goodbye. I don’t promise that everyday I will be thinking of all of you. That is not possible. But at the back of my mind somewhere you will be there.

Let me end by asking why we go and watch sunsets even though they bring in darkness? It is because we are sure that the sun will rise again.

Some of you have already seen sunsets in life. This is my heartfelt prayer and wish for you: that each one of you will have a brilliant Sunrise in your life with better hopes, better dreams and better tomorrows. Thank you

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

May 21, 2020July 19, 2022

Motivational Speech: Do Not Limit Your Vision

1. Do not limit your vision because of a marred past.

The best of us are cracked mirrors reflecting the image and likeness of God. He alone is the healer of the past. Someday He will put all the broken pieces. Our role is to cooperate in this effort.

Instead of seeing yourselves as failures; try to see yourselves as valued in the eyes of God. You are someone who can shine a ray of hope in some dark corner. For the darkness that clouded your vision is being lifed from your life.

The past died. And has been wiped out. It can no longer act today. Arise in the newness of this realization and fulfill the vision.

2. Do not limit vision by myopic vision.

Most people have a short-sighted vision. They make their life a mockery. To gain riches or fame or power are their life’s goals. Some just want to eat, drink and be merry. All these are like the grass that grows up today and withers tomorrow. Throw such silly things into the fire. Let it burn to ashes.

Instead enlarge your vision. Climb high. Look down from there. Have a bird’s eye view. See your entire life in one stretch. Or imagine all your life being played on the screen fast forward.

What would you like to have achieved at the end of it? What difference did your life make? When you look back at your life from the end of it; does not most things that you count most dear today seem like tattered rags instead of trophies?

So dear friends, awake to a bigger vision. A vision that looks impossible. And dare to live it.

3. Do not limit your vision by your circumstances.

To the one who complains; no circumstance is ever right. The winds are needed for the boat to sail. And its fury required to make a man a sailor in the truest sense. For a man who has seen no storms will never have a tale to pass on. He will never teach a vital lesson to those who get ready to sail.

Difficult circumstances are God’s chariots to lift you up high. They are the playgrounds where God teaches you to fly; to defy gravity and soar in spite of it.

Those who do so have a vision of seeing themselves kiss the stretch of blue and catch the orange gleam of golden sunrise on their wings. To the onlooker from down below it looks as if their wings are on fire.

But it is their hearts that are on fire; fully ablaze at their triumph over their negative circumstances. Powered forward by walking on dry ground through the midst of the raging seas.

4. Do not limit your vision by what others tell.

Almost always all others tell you is why you shouldn’t do it. Believe me; they are telling you their fears. They are afraid that their unspoken dreams will be fulfilled by you. They cannot bear that thought. So they advice you why you can’t live your dream.

But let me ask you; is this your life? Have you only one life on earth? If so, decide; who will be at its steering wheel? When your hand is held by the Almighty; fear none else. Be sure that His plans and purposes will never fail. For “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30).

And His vision is always to make broken vessels a channel to pour out His comfort and strength to the downcast, the oppressed and the needy. Dear friends, if you have a vision to touch the lives of people with hope; then go ahead and bring that vision to fruition.

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

May 20, 2020July 19, 2022

Break the Chain of These Four Thought Habits

You cannot have a garbage truck spilling over with waste material running in your mind and at the same time be able to achieve greatness in life.

Without doubt, thoughts affect your life in a big way.

First of all, say no to negative thoughts. It includes worry, jealously, inferiority and thoughts of giving up on life.

They come as guests uninvited but plan to stay if you give permission.

Secondly, say no to impure thoughts. Most of them make a way into our minds from outside like flaming arrows shot to fall inside heavily-guarded forts. In real life situations, the guards will do the fire fighting. But in our minds we are too lazy to fight.

One way to fight impure thoughts is to keep yourself busy thinking on pure and lovely thoughts, thoughts of success and excellence. This will keep your mind occupied that it won’t have space for impure thoughts that try to enter your mind.

Having good friends and deliberately turning your eyes away from looking at all that is evil can help.

Thirdly, say no to thoughts of hatred. Life brings us lots of hurts. It can come from parents, brothers or sisters, close relatives or friends, neighbours, teachers, friends or strangers. Having been at the receiving end when you were innocent, young, and having not the courage or wisdom to resist brings life-long trauma.

The result is that you harbour unforgiveness in your heart. You hate others. Unless God heals this brokenness, there is no deliverance. So seek God’s help.

Finally, say no to gossip. Don’t tear down a person’s life by listening to jokes about him or her. Gossip gives us great thrill because we are enjoying at another person’s expense. Gossip separates close friends, betrays confidence, and creates unnecessary quarrels. Listening to gossip doesn’t become any less poisonous just because it is flavoured with strawberry or butterscotch and sugar.

Taking a decision not to listen to gossip and saying that you are not interested when someone else starts speaking about another in a wrong light is the solution.

Let me conclude. The more you allow negative thoughts, impure thoughts, thoughts of hatred and entertain gossip; you become more and more of a garbage dump. And you know what: People have a tendency to throw more garbage when they see it piled up somewhere. Don’t you think that it is so?

4 F’s That Make Life What It Is

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

May 20, 2020July 19, 2022

Practise the Fine Art of Saying Thank You Daily!

Thank you comes at the end of speeches. But it is good if it comes first in your heart.

Life is busy for everyone. We are too busy that we don’t slowdown to tell thank you.

A thank you spoken kindly might be the only appreciation that someone might receive that day.

It can remind him or her that he or she is valued as a human being. It will enable that person to have self-respect and a sense of dignity in life.

Only a person with gratitude to God and men for the simple joys and kindnesses of life is able to say thank you.

Then it is not just about the lips. It is more about sincerity. The tone of voice usually reveals the attitude with which a thank you was said.

Saying thank you is an opportunity to do good; to put a smile on someone’s face, and convey the depth of your emotions.

Life is brief. Don’t wait too long to say thank you.

Even now it is not too late. Is there someone to whom you can say thank you? Pick up your phone and make a call. Or if that doesn’t work for you, write a thank you note on a card or send a mail.

Let not someone lose hope in life simply because you forgot to say thank you.

There is the brightness of a sunbeam, the promise of a rainbow, the sweet fragrance of a flower in bloom and a heart’s gracious blessing in a thank you.

Even God delights to hear a little child say thank you for the gift of a toy he or she loves. Fascinating; isn’t it?

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

May 18, 2020November 18, 2022

Listen to Lovely Flowers Unfold the Meaning of Life

Flowers are lovely. They make the earth beautiful.

Flowers represent life. They show us the promise of life when it buds. They charm us with their youthful loveliness in bloom. When they fade and fall, their glory lies trampled on the ground. It reminds of life that dust is and to dust returns.

Flowers make its appearance in all our occasions in life—be it weddings or funerals, welcome or farewell. The red rose which has become inseparably wedded to love , the white jasmine that has become a garland of purity, and the orchids that stay long with elegance are all very much part of our lives,

Flowers proclaim the wisdom of our Creator. With how infinite variety has he made them all. How much joy flowers create, how varied their colours and how majestic when they bloom in endless rows in wide fields and plains. From the tiny flowers that dot the green pastures to the flowers of aquatic plants, flowers surprise us with joy.

Flowers beautify our gardens. Flowers in gardens make us nostalgic. They refresh our minds with times we spend together with our loved ones and friends. In this busy world where we are confined to concrete jungles, how relaxing is a walk in a garden full of blooming trees and plants sporting beautiful, lovely flowers!

Flowers create special memories. Who can forget the story of the beautiful blind young girl selling flowers at the beginning of the classic movie by Charlie Chaplin, City Lights. The brilliant end of that movie when the girl who can now see offers Charlie Chaplin the tramp a flower and the moment of recognition when their hands touch is simply unforgettable.

Let me end by saying that when I think of flowers, along with Wordsworth, my heart with pleasure fills and dances with the daffodils!

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

When Death Speaks, Listen to Its Meaning!

Keep Lose Hold of Life, for Life Is a Great Gamble!

May 15, 2020July 19, 2022

Talent Minus Discipline Is Like a Jumbo Jet Without Its Wings

Talent is what God has gifted you with. You can hide it, neglect it, or use it.

Often we find many talented people unable to make it big in life. The reasons are many.

Talent alone will not take you places. As Stephen King has said: “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.”

Now what should you do with your talent?

First of all be thankful to God that you have been uniquely gifted. On the other hand if you become proud, someday there will be a fall. And like Humpty Dumpty after his fall, no one might be able to put you back together again.

Secondly, do something to improve your talent everyday–be it singing, drawing, speaking, writing or anything else. Doing something each day will take you nearer your goal.

Thirdly, be in touch with others who are talented. Find out how they succeeded. See, success is a habit and you can learn those habits that lead you to excellence.

Fourthly, discipline yourself. You need to take care of your health, your habits, your relationships, and how you spend your time. As H. Jackson Brown, Jr. has said, “Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.”

Fifthly, when you are focused on bringing others happiness through your talent your light shines out. Someday, God will demand an accounting of how you used your talent. Then you shall earn your reward for best utilization of your time, talent, and treasure.

Sixthly, some people never take an effort to use their talent. It is like digging a hole in the ground and burying it. Be sure that it will rust to its death and ruin there. What is the use of it, then?

Finally, talent without perseverance cannot succeed. There will come obstacles, rejection, criticism, and setbacks. There will come times when you will pass through loss of confidence and self-doubts. These are common to those who are uniquely gifted and talented. But it is your ability to hold on and move in spite of all these that will help you finish strong.

Let me conclude reminding you once again that talent is God’s gift to you. Don’t let it remain unopened, unused, and neglected. Instead, fan into flame¹ or kindle afresh the gift of God that is in you.

A Thank You Note to a Talented Batch of Youngsters

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

¹ 2 Timothy 1:6 Bible

May 11, 2020July 19, 2022

Sample School Assembly Speech on Practising 5 A’s in Your Classroom

Respected Principal, Beloved Teachers, and my dear friends,

Classrooms are where the future citizens of India are moulded. It is there that men and women of excellence and character are shaped. Classrooms are not just places to increase one’s knowledge. More importantly, classrooms should help to create a well-rounded personality.

Now let me describe the benefits of practising 5A’s in the classroom environment. The 5A’s are Aarogya, Attitude, Academic, Athletic, and Artistic.

First of all, let us look at Aarogya or health. A good mind is found in a good body. It is also known that you need a canvas to paint a picture. Therefore practicing healthy habits inside one’s classroom is important to maintain good health. So coming to class after having a proper bath and in clean dress is important. Eating healthy food is also important to maintain health.

Now let us look at Attitude. It is said that one’s attitude determines one’s altitude. That means attitude determines how much you will climb the ladder of success in life. To do so, one should have a positive, enthusiastic and joyful attitude. It is also important to avoid a jealous attitude. This is so because we live in a competitive world and people try to pull down others to achieve success. That practice is wrong.

The next one is Academic. Wisdom and knowledge are greater than gold and riches. They not only help us to earn our bread and butter; it also helps us to be better human beings. If you look at the world around you, you will find that Mind Power is greater than muscle or money. So time spent in learning is a great investment and it will give us returns in future.

A Story from Schooldays on My First Disastrous Public Speaking Attempt

Another important aspect is Athletic. It is a well-known saying that “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.” Children are natural lovers of sports and games. They love to spend time playing. It not only gives relaxation but also helps develop team spirit. Sports and games also give valuable exercise to the body. It also lays the foundation for learning to understand that winning and losing is part of the game.

Finally, we come to the Artistic aspect. As we look at the world around we find that God has made this world beautiful in a very creative and artistic way. The beauty of the flowers, the rainbow, the wild seas and forests, the loveliness of a sunset, the twinkling bright stars in the dark night sky; are all examples. And we being created in the image and likeness of God have been given the artistic ability as well. So it is important to use it in our classrooms as well. To point out a simple example, developing a good handwriting is itself an expression of the artistic in students.

After having described the benefits of practising 5As in your classroom environment namely Aarogya, attitude, academic, athletic, artistic; let me conclude in the words of Erin Gruwell: “I realized if you can change a classroom, you can change a community, and if you change enough communities you can change the world.”

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

May 3, 2020August 10, 2023

Make Excellence the One Habit That You Pursue Incessantly

Excellence is a result of several attitudes. When these attitudes are combined together they become that one habit of excellence that shall springboard you to greatness.

The impact of excellence cannot be truly measured because it will outlive your life, create urges in ordinary lives to soar high, and set standards against which all future achievements will be compared to.

You might not master all the seven in one go; but you can make an honest attempt with one or two at a time until all of them become an intrinsic part of your life. So here are the seven:

#1. If you aim for excellence you should have an eye for detail.

Little things should not be ignored. When a space shuttle is launched think about all the minute pre-flight checks that are done and how things are put on hold at the minutest variation. History has proven the disastrous consequences of neglect of the same.

Therefore make it a habit to look, see and observe keenly what others fail to note.

#2. If you aim for excellence you need to keep polishing your craft daily.

Here, the only competition is against yourself. The only question that is asked is, “Am I doing justice to the potential God has gifted me with?” Again, the only audience you have will be you alone. So make sure you do something each day that will fine tune whatever ability, skill, or talent you have.

Therefore make it a habit to prioritize quality time each day for that one thing you are good at.

#3. If you aim for excellence a spirit of dissatisfaction should dominate you.

You should always be dissatisfied with your best. You need to learn to think about your best victories and performances as failures. The world will say great things about your victories. But as for you turn your back to the crowd like a music conductor does and look intensely to make your perfect, better.

Therefore make it a habit to forget your past successes and press on to do something new beyond belief.

#4. If you aim for excellence you need to race against time.

There is always a sense of calm urgency taking hold of a man dominated by a higher purpose in life. Such a man like a soldier in war has no time for the frivolities of life. He is sharply focused on making the best utilisation of time. That requires cutting off all distractions–bad, good, better–everything that does not contribute to helping you achieve your goal.

Therefore make it a habit to be a cut-throat in tearing down all time-wasting activities in life.

#5. If you aim for excellence you are always prepared.

In other words the habit of saying excuses is not in your genes. If you get stuck somewhere you will think of how to find the best way out instead of feeling helpless and entertaining self-pity while you lick your wounds. Another important aspect of being prepared is to have processes in place to manage all that you do. Double-check even when you are certain you are fully prepared. Follow-up if others are involved. Make absolutely sure that all in human power has been done and taken care of.

Therefore make it a habit to do all in your power, wisdom, intuition, and foresight to be prepared.

#6. If you aim for excellence you will do your best each time you do something.

You will not rationalize and think, “Oh, this is only the trials. I can relax. But tomorrow for the real performance I will do my best.” Never will someone with excellence in his blood think like that. For him every single opportunity, big or small, is a chance to give his very best. Only such an attitude will take you places. Only such an attitude will help you do things in all earnestness even when no one is watching. Even when others counsel you, “Oh, this much is enough,” you will not listen. As the American legendary basketball Coach of UCLA fame John Wooden said, “Make each day your masterpiece.” I might add, “Finish each task you do as if you have no second chance.”

Therefore make it a habit to make each rehearsal, each activity, each routine thing you do stamped with “nothing short of the best.”

#7. If you aim for excellence develop an impeccable character.

Above and beyond discipline, hard work, doing something more than you are asked to do–the greatest work you do is working hard on developing character. It is important that you perform but far more important is who you are. It is far more important to finish well in life than to taste success and then lose it all in one thoughtless action. Again, Success is never sweet when those close to you experience you as bitter. So put a greater premium on being true to yourself, someone true to your word, someone who does not need to be ashamed if powerful spotlights are switched on even while you sleep in the dark.

Therefore make it a habit to have integrity in your life that will stand up to any close scrutiny.

To conclude, as you consciously practice these attitudes not as techniques; but as a true, sincere, and earnest approach to life; it will ingrain in your life as habits inseparable from who you really are.

You can read this article on LinkedIn: The 7 Attitudes of Excellence

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” ―Vince Lombardi

7 Compelling Steps to Achieve Excellence at the Workplace!

7 Must-Haves to Build a World Class Culture in Your Organization

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.”

— Proverbs 22:29/Bible NIV 1984.

May 1, 2020July 19, 2022

Taming a Lion Is Easy; Taming the Tongue Is Not!

The tongue is a small organ in the body; yet it has got awesome power.

It is amazing to note how people lift up their heads, put on a smile and have a spring in their walk when they hear honest, sincere and uplifting words of appreciation.

Let us therefore learn to appreciate people. We can do so by saying positive comments which encourage the individual. Make it specific so that the other person will know exactly what is on your mind.

Let us also remember that words carelessly spoken can tear apart the heart and mind of someone we love. Yes, words are loaded with potential to hurt. They have far more power than nuclear war heads.

Words spoken in anger have destroyed friendships and family relationships. Like someone thoughtlessly rubbing on dirt on a beautiful painting on canvas are some of the words we fling into the air.

In the light of this should we not put a gatekeeper at the door of our mouth to check, scan, and filter the words before they escape and drop as bombshells on people? Yes, the taming of the tongue can be the most rewarding exercise we can attempt to do in life.

Finally, let us admit that we all have failed in keeping our tongues under check. We regret some of the bad words and lies and curse words we have spoken– words that escaped from our mouths even without our noticing it.

Some of our words have spoiled relationships and created wounds deep even Time will find it difficult to heal.

The Bible says that “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is restless evil, full of deadly poision.”*

Therefore let us make an honest effort to tame the tongue. Let us try with God’s help to speak words of love and honest appreciation. In that way let us try to build people up rather than tear them down.

Remember, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

Bible quotes: *James 3:7, 8; Proverbs 18:21 Bible NIV 1984.
7 Tips on How to Speak at Funerals and Memorial Meetings

April 23, 2020August 2, 2022

You Can Make Winning in Life a Seven-Step Habit!

Winning in life is a habit. Let me point out seven attitudes that will help you win in life.

It all starts with desire. There should be a burning desire to win. Forget all negative circumstances, people who tell you how what you dream cannot be done, and lack of money.

Secondly, start somewhere. Do not wait for ever planning. Take action even if it be a small step. Each single day do something that will take you nearer to your goal.

Thirdly, look for competition. Athletes and sportsmen do best when the competition is the toughest. Keep yourself motivated and challenged by the best you can compete against in your field.

Fourthly, but of great importance, you need wisdom. Pray to God, ask those who have succeeded in your field to share life lessons they learned, and seek guidance from those who can give you wise counsel.

Fifthly, make mistakes. That is the only way you make progress. I am not asking you to make mistakes through negligence. But I am asking you to be daring in your attempts, to push yourself out of comfort zones, and try your luck at new things you naturally shrink away from doing.

You Can Find Success God’s Way

Sixthly, be single-minded in your pursuits. Do not get distracted. Burn bridges behind. Do not look back and wish that you should have remained in your old ways and habits. Instead look forward with determination.

Finally, have a killer instinct. It means that you will not rest until you finish what you have begun to do. It means that you will allow no obstacle, no defeat, no negativity to make you give up in despair. You might feel discouraged at your lack of progress, but you will hold on, fight on, and will not say “quit” until you have won.

My friend, there is a time to prepare the nets. There is a time to launch out from the safety of the shore. There is a time to cast your nets into the deep. There is a time to fight the winds and the waves.There is a time to persevere when absolutely no progress happens.

But the man who wins is the one who while awake or asleep dreams of and acts towards and relentlessly pursues the goal of bringing a boat full of fish to the shore. That is killer instinct that makes winning a habit in life.

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

April 21, 2020October 11, 2023

A Short Speech on Rain

Rain comes down from heaven to earth. It makes no distinctions as it showers down on the rich and the poor; the good and the wicked; young and old, men and women; in the watered lands, the deserts and endless seas.

Rain is regarded as a sign of God’s blessings in many cultures of the world. If there is a light drizzle at the time of beginning something new, the elderly people are quick to say that those are showers of blessing.

Rain refreshes, renews and revives. The dusty leaves of plants and trees covered with a film of brown dust looks fresh green, vibrant, and full of youthful zest after a heavy first rain.

Rain is a welcome to kids to play. Some like to jump into puddles, others like to get drenched or play football, a few like to float paper boats, while the careful ones don colouful raincoats or umbrellas to walk in the rain.

Rain has inspired not only peacocks to dance but also great works of art. From stories, poems, and songs of romance and fights in the backdrop of rain in movies, to paintings and photographs, and to the variety of moods it inspires in those who witness the same.

Rain is musical. On a cold night, tucked warmly beneath bed sheets as you listen, the heavy downpour falling on tin sheets, on empty pots, striking against window panes, the howling wind, the croaking frogs all become a blend of sounds pleasing to the ears. It lulls you to sound sleep and sweet dreams.

Rain is a sign of sorrows being washed away. “I always like walking in the rain, so no one can see me crying” is how the famous comedian and actor Charlie Chaplin described his life experience. Yes, there is something about tears that reminds us of the rain.

In spite of the fact lighting and thunder and flash floods sometimes strike terror, the rare sight of a rainbow arching its way across the clouds, can be to you the token of God’s promise to save you and keep you. Rain, ultimately therefore, is a sign of hope. That there will be good times once again. That God’s mercy will rain down yet again:

There shall be showers of blessing:*
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Saviour above.

Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

There shall be showers of blessing—
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

My dear friends, if rain were totally absent from this earth, what a dry brown barren desert strewn around with skeletons parched by thirst the world would be. Therefore let us love and cherish the rain, and thank God for the gift of the rain he showers down on us from heaven!

Jesus Is Risen!

*”There Shall be Showers of Blessing” is a famous hymn by Daniel Webster Whittle. You can listen to this song in this collection of songs.

April 18, 2020December 12, 2023

How to Say Words of Appreciation to Win Friends and Influence People!

“You look beautiful in this dress today. It fits you perfectly.”
“You showed great courage in honestly admitting that you committed that mistake.”
“You exhibited leadership skill when you rallied your team together for the mass drill.”

These are examples of words of appreciation. They are becoming rare these days. We fail to tell people how good they are when we have the chance and the opportunity. But many pour out words of appreciation when a person lies cold and dead. Isn’t that a bit too late?

Words of appreciation has to be genuine. When said well, it comes out spontaneously.

Words of appreciation reflect truth about a person that he or she has never had a chance to realise for himself or herself. The words of encouragement you speak open up divine possibilities in the life of others. They, in turn, will start to live in expectation and hope of a better tomorrow.

Words of appreciation can change negativity quickly. A wife or husband who hears a word of appreciation from the other will be delighted to act kindly and enthusiastically and to offer help when needed.

Similarly, the life of many students have been changed for the better by one genuine word of appreciation by one of his or her teachers. It takes thoughtfulness on the part of the teacher to appreciate a student. Often, years later, teachers are surprised by their former students who come and tell them of the change words of appreciation had brought in their lives!

In a world where finding fault can easily become a hobby, words of appreciation can build others up. On the other hand, unkind criticism can tear a person down. Therefore you can choose to be one who make others feel valued and cherished.

It was Mark Twain who said “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” William James, American psychologist and philosopher said: “The deepest principle of human nature is a craving to be appreciated.” As long as we are obsessed with ourselves and selfies I doubt if we will ever have a mind to appreciate others. Therefore the first step is to stop looking inwards and instead be genuinely interested in others.

The second step is to look out for opportunities which will present itself to appreciate others. For example, one of your colleagues proposed a business idea in one of your team meetings. Why not preface your next comment with “That was a brilliant idea [Name]. Good that you brought it up.”

The most important step is to be genuine and sincere in your words of appreciation. Sometimes, just an approving look, a nod, a pat on the back (wherever appropriate), a firm handshake, a thumbs up or even a smile will go miles to make the day for someone.

Therefore appreciation is not just words but more importantly an attitude which can make friends and influence people. However, one problem we all have is taking for granted people close to us. Let us take time to appreciate the good food cooked at home for us. Let us be thoughtful to say how tasty it was. Let us learn to appreciate our children helping us with small things.

Let me conclude by saying that we can make this world a better place by being generous with our words of appreciation.

Read Say Words of Appreciation on LinkedIn

Jesus Is Risen!

April 17, 2020July 19, 2022

Do You Feel Like a Failure When Others Reject You

Rejection is a fact of life. There is no need to be shocked or surprised about it. Instead learn how to face it.

When someone rejects you should it make you feel inferior or like a failure? Absolutely not. What you need to realize is that you have a life ahead of you. If you keep working towards worthy goals without losing heart, a day will come when people who rejected you might find you promoted.

However, a fairy tale ending is not always guaranteed. Again, if at all you are rejected, have no thoughts of revenge. It is foolishness. Each person has a right to choose and say no to you even as you have every right to ask for acceptance. Respect others freedom to do so.

Rejection sometimes is not a one-time affair. As often thought, it is not limited to rejection of proposals–personal or business. Instead it can be a daily affair within marriage relationship, parents rejecting children to spend time chatting, and adults rejecting the elderly in the sunset years of their lives.

Rejection can also come when you fail to live up to expectations. One thing you need to realize is that you have to be true to your calling in life; you need to maximize the talent and potential God has put within you; and you need to do all that you can to excel in life. But even when you do so, you may not be dancing to the tunes others are playing for you. And it is natural that others will reject you.

Rejection therefore should fuel in you a desire to achieve something worthwhile in life. Well, just think about some great works of literature that might never have got published if the authors stopped writing when they got a few rejection notes. I just chose this example but examples are not limited to this field alone.

Therefore the right approach to rejection is to keep a positive attitude and frame of mind. Do not keep your eyes on the closed door. Other opportunities will come. Do not miss them by brooding over the past.

Let me encourage you by saying that whatever rejection you face from others there is Someone who accepts you the way you are right now. His estimate about your life is not based on your beauty or wisdom or riches or positions achieved in life.

God loves you. And you are of infinite worth in his eyes. About Jesus, who loves you, it is written: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Again, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”

Therefore you always have a friend in him when you are rejected. He understands what you are passing through.

Motivational Speech: The LORD Is My Shepherd

Three Insightful Stories on “What Will Others Think About Me?”

Jesus Is Risen!