Wednesday Word: Patience.

May I have a Wednesday Word with you? That word is “patience,” a virtue we all need to practice.

Including me.

I planned to blog on March 1, and share this picture.

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The fabulous followup to my December 1 class.

The blog post was to be an update for the “Now Year’s Resolutions” challenge (not “new”) I issued to my cycle class.

I blogged about it on December 1. I challenged my class members that day to think of one small aspect of their lives that they wanted to change, and to commit to writing down the change and taking steps to achieve it, instead of waiting until New Year’s Day to do so.

Little did they know that I planned to follow-up with them and ask them about their progress on March 1.

That class was an awesome one. I was well-pleased with the level of effort they displayed. It was a challenging class with new music and routines, and they didn’t miss a beat. Most of all, I was very impressed with the individual changes they had made since December 1. I walked out of the gym with a bigger-than-normal smile on my face. Since I was feeling so good, I decided to do a bit of a yoga before starting the work day.

Little did I know–as I tried to move from chaturanga into an upward-facing dog–that my left ankle would have other plans.

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Thank You!

Good news!

I just learned that Speeches & Sprints was selected as an Official Honoree in The 20th Annual Webby Awards in the Web: Personal Blog/Website category from the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

I can barely contain my excitement!

The Webbys received 13,000 entries from every state in Webby_Honoree 2016the United States and 65 countries. To be an Official Honoree means that this blog was in the top 20 percent of all entries.

But I didn’t do it alone. I thank my “village” of family and friends who encouraged and supported me. I thank also my group exercise class members for inspiring me. Most of all, I thank everyone who has taken the time to read this blog, and has found practical tips or inspiration for their work, whether professional or personal. It is truly a labor of love, and a deep honor.

Thank you so much, Webbys! And thank you, readers!!

“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop…”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on this day in 1968 at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis. He was there to support striking sanitation workers.

“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” given on April 3, was the last speech Dr. King delivered.

Read the text and listen to the speech below. I’ve also included a recording of Robert Kennedy delivering the sad news about Dr. King’s assassination to a shocked crowd in Indiana.

Finally, follow Rep. John Lewis’ insights on Dr. King’s assassination on Twitter.

And so I’m happy tonight; I’m not worried about anything; I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” audio.

 

Robert Kennedy’s announcement of Dr. King’s assassination.

Where Has She Been…?

Musical Muse: Rihanna, “Where Have You Been”

This song regularly finds a spot on my play list for my cycle classes. “Where have you been?” also is a fair question to ask since I’ve been a bit quiet as of late.

Now that I think of it: It’s fair to say that my musical muse also could be her current song, “Work.” My workload has been, in a word, insane. Part of me loves it! But I am happy to be returning to a less-crazy schedule.

Never fear, though–I still have so much to share and show. Stay tuned!

2016 International Women’s Day.

Whoa, Dear Reader: I’ve been on a bit of a sprint of my own lately. Work deadlines as far as the eye can see.

But fear not! We still have great speeches to listen to or read, especially on this International Women’s Day.

Check out today’s Google Doodle or watch the video below. It’s short.

Also check out the women you should know about on International Women’s Day, courtesy of The Guardian, along with some other cool links highlighting the international fight for women’s rights.

Thanks to watching this video, I learned about the brave Honduran environmental activist, Berta Cáceres, who was murdered a few days ago.

I honor her memory by featuring her acceptance speech during the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony (English translation provided), a prize awarded to grassroots environmental activists.

I’m a human rights fighter and I won’t give up. –Berta Cáceres

 

Monday Motivation: “Just Keep Movin’.”

OK, so this post is not about a speech or presentation. Nor is it about a Cycle class. But this video is so delightful and inspiring that I was moved to share it here.

Besides, this Monday Motivation is about movement. That’s close enough, is it not?

Courtesy The White House

Virginia McLaurin, at 106 years young, fulfilled a dream–to be able to visit the White House. She did so as part of a Black History Month celebration. At 106, McLaurin most certainly has her own life lessons to teach us, with all that she has seen and experienced.

One lesson she teaches is how to enjoy the moments before us, and to live like we mean it. McLaurin didn’t hold back when she was introduced to the President and First Lady. She savored it. She walked fast. She danced. She displayed more energy and vigor upon meeting the Obamas than some folks who are a quarter of her age.

So my takeaways for the day, and week?

First, we are never old to see our dreams come true.

And second? The secret to long life, according to McLaurin, is to “just keep movin’.” I’m sold!

Michelle Obama: “I wanna be like you when I grow up.”

Virginia McLaurin: “You can.”

We all can–if we just keep movin’.

Finally Friday!

I’ve had a busy few days, dear reader. But never fear: Here’s a Friday Find for you from Anquan Bouldin, NFL wide receiver (and former Raven–just thought I’d throw that in there) and 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year award recipient.

Watch as he accepts his award. His speech is both humble and resolute.

 

As a star NFL player, Bouldin has the money and means to do anything that might appeal to him, but he realized that life held more purpose and promise. And he has committed to that higher purpose of helping those in need by hosting a summer enrichment program, providing scholarships and partnering with Oxfam America to bring attention to the drought in Ethiopia and the need for transparency in the gold industry within Senegal.

Sweetness, indeed.

So let this Friday Find inspire you to discover and define your life’s purpose.

 

 

President Obama’s Statement on the Death of Justice Scalia

ICYMI: President Obama’s statement on the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died today in Texas at the age of 79.

(Starts at the 33:40 mark.)

I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time. There will be plenty of time for me to do so, and for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing. These are responsibilities that I take seriously, as should everyone.

They are bigger than any one party; they are about our democracy. They are about the institution to which Justice Scalia dedicated his professional life, and making sure it continues to function as the beacon of justice that our Founders envisioned. –President Barack Obama

Courtesy The White House

 

 

Wednesday Word: He Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.

Musical Muse: “Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg

 

May I share a Wednesday Word with you?

More to the point, I’d like to share some words of advice: Don’t beg for pity applause. Never, ever implore your audience to applaud for you, on command, at any point during a speech or a presentation.

At times, we may have desired a certain response or result so badly that we resort to begging. We’re only human, so I won’t judge–unless you’re begging your audience to applaud for you.

Which is exactly what I just watched Jeb Bush do at a New Hampshire town hall event earlier today. (Hat tip to Steve Benen at The MaddowBlog.)

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