The other day we were watching the movie Beauty and the Beast and I was reminded of the best speech I ever heard in my 25 year Toastmasters experience. It was the during the 1995 World Championship of Public Speaking. It was obvious this was the winning speech entitled " Its never too late to make a first impression". The speech blew away the audience and laid waste to all the other speakers to follow.
Twenty three years later the speech still resonates with me. I found it on You Tube. The speech dealt with the premise of the movie Beauty and the Beast and the movies central theme of Intolerance, Ignorance and Indifference. We are still dealing with these issues almost on a daily basis. The other theme of the movie is we can make a second impression.
This is so true in many ways. I first met my sweetie 12 years ago, initially there was no attraction, in fact there was disdain. Well 4 years after that first meeting we hooked up and now love and support each other very much and are preparing to spend the rest of our lives together. I love her children and our grandson.
It is also true that Intolerance, Ignorance and Indifference are prevalent today. A group of people are working hard to get a recovery treatment centre built not too far from our residence. My sweetie and I are solid supporters of the endeavour. The site is an abandon hockey arena. Left vacant for 5 and a half years and in serious disrepair. There is a small group of people protesting the endeavour. There reasons are fuelled by intolerance, ignorance and indifference. What is even worse they are not open to listening to the supporters side. Just don't build this centre in our backyard they say.
What I have learned is close mindedness creates fear and fear creates intolerance, indifference and ignorance. Open mindedness creates opportunities and positivity. Be tolerant, acceptive and enlightened, knowledgeable, empathetic, caring and compassionate.
Which would you rather be? I know my answer.
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