SPEAKING FROM THE HEART,
self help article
by Lee Wise

Self Help article:

I'm sitting in chapel listening to an older man speak.

He's a seasoned pastor. The kind you would like to be by your bedside shortly after the doctor has informed you that your time on earth is limited.

Very limited.

"Doc," they call him. I listen closely to what Doc is saying. No one would call him an orator. And he certainly isn't energetic!

But he is real. As real as you can get.

As I'm listening intently to what Doc is saying, I notice something else: the other members of our audience are listening in exactly the same manner.

Older ones.
Younger ones.
It doesn't matter.
All are listening.

Intently.

WHY?

I think, "Why? Why are we listening so attentively to what this man is sharing?"

I answer myself by saying,

"Because he is speaking from his heart."

He and his God have walked a long time on this earth together.

He is sincere and all of us in the room can sense it.

A SIMPLE POINT

My point is simple: speaking and living from the heart is, to me, what it's all about.

I can learn what to say, how to say it, how to "read" my audience, and a thousand other success tips on the art of public speaking.

But sharing with an audience, even if only an audience of one, from deep within and sharing what I hold dear to my heart is something I don't do because I listened to a taped series on the art of speaking well.

ALLOWING MY LIFE TO MOLD MY WORDS

I share that way because I'm striving to live well.

I speak that way because I allow what I'm learning and value in life to mold my words.

That's great speaking - speaking from the heart!!

Reflecting on Doc's message, I say to myself: "God, give me the grace to speak like that in my life.

Let my words come from a life well lived and a heart well trained in the art of loving You and others."

Speaking from the heart, a good heart helps us in at least three important ways:

1. It helps us "connect" with people

2. It gives us credibility as we share

3. It protects us from motives which take advantage of people

THANKS, DOC!

In my opinion we all need to learn from the "Docs" of the world. They are valuable people.

Thanks, Doc. I'm still trying to listen and learn.

Your message got through today. My challenge will be making sure it "hits home" tomorrow and the next day.

And the next.

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Lee is a Seminary administrator, has a part-time business at home, and writes his own free motivational mailing.

You may contact him at lfwise@aol.com or by visiting http://www.retirequickly.com/89863

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