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What do you know about Martin?

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Original Poem, (c) All Rights Reserved

What do you know about Martin?

There was so much more to him than his dream

He spent his life waking up the consciousness of both black and white people

And those descendants from both sides who were stuck in-between


What do you know about Martin?

Did you know how courageous he was, how he stood firm and did not run

In the face of dogs, police, and angry mobs, he practiced what he preached

For he believed that love was more powerful than a hateful heart and a smoking gun


What do you know about Martin?

Of course you probably knew he was a master of speech and oration

He had degrees from Morehouse, Boston University, and Crozier Seminary College

And in 1955, he received a PHD, to show how much he valued education


What do you know about Martin?

What has his legacy taught or inspired you to do?

Are you one of the proud or one of those wondering, what is the big deal?

Are you aware of how his mere living has changed life so dramatically for you?


What do you know about Martin?

Were you aware that he was only 26 when elected first president of the MIA

It was the Montgomery Improvement Association that helped organize the busing boycott

That plucked both he and Rosa Parks from obscurity and sent them both on their fateful way


What do you know about Martin?

Did you know that it was his ability to lead and inspire that gained him a prominent role

In December 1956 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Alabama’s bus segregation laws

But it was Martin who helped motivate the people of Montgomery to keep on walking for a full year prior to that in the rain, sleet, and the cold


What did you learn from Martin?

How much or how little does it take to provoke you?

Does it take something that is life threatening to make you respond with violence?

Or will you go off if someone looks at you wrong or steps on your shoe?


It was during this ‘March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom’ in 1963

That Martin Luther King gave his famous, I have a dream speech

And it is these prophetic words that even 40 years later we reflect back on

For although many have sacrificed their lives, this dream is still beyond our reach


Black and White, Jews, and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics

All are still fighting each other, still fighting to be equal and free

We’ve figured out the part of holding hands and singing the song

But there is still too much injustice, hatred, and disunity


So when you echo the dream of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr

What do you really know about this man and his contributions?

How many strides that he fought for are we in danger of losing?

How many new battles have we stood up for and won?


Martin Luther King put everything on the line for freedom

Even when bombs where thrown into his home with his young baby and new wife

He said if we won’t stand for something we would die for anything

And that is how this great man lived his entire life


And then one day he talked of seeing the mountaintop

And told his brethren he would have to go alone

And at the age of 39, in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated

And God called his faithful and weary servant home


So what do you know about Martin

Do you know all that he did for you?

He said we all can be leaders, because we all can serve

So what kind of service can we expect now from you?


(c) 2007-2010, Barbara S. Talley. ‘What Do You Know About Martin’ is from the upcoming book, Just The Right Words: Special Occasion Poetry, to be Released in 2010.   Barbara is a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and author of six books.   Do not reproduce without express written permission from the author.  To contact Barbara, phone 301.428-4831 or www.thepoetspeaks.com

My Fave Five Quotes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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This month, to celebrate the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, I will share five of my favorite Dr. King quotes.   The basic theme of much of the speaking work I do centers on Vision, Values, and Virtues.  Very few people are more visionary, have higher values, or are more virtuous than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

To prepare for this, I reflected on what virtues and values came to mind when I thought about Dr. King.  Unity, faith, non-violence, brilliant orator, service, love, sacrifice, legendary, committed, civil rights leader, courageous, spiritual, justice…   And the list goes on and on.   Finding just five favorite quotes was harder than I thought.  But here are my ‘Fave Five’ Faith and Hope, Justice, Perspective and Sacrifice, Service, and Unity.  To read about Dr. King on Faith and Hope click here.  http://wp.me/ppImQ-dD

Barbara Talley is a keynote speaker, author, poet, and trainer who can be reached at www.thepoetspeaks.com.  Still looking for a keynote speaker for Black History Month, Women’s History Month, or Administrative Professional Day, phone Barbara at 301-428-4831.

How Are You Handing Change?

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Continued from Part 1: 5 Changes That Can Dramatically Change Your Life – http://wp.me/ppImQ-d2

We Must Face Change with Courage, Resolve, and Hope

Now the question for you is how are you handling change?  Are you being swept up into the winds of change and enjoying the journey or are you fighting it and falling back into your old familiar routines.   The past as we know it is gone.  We’ve got to embrace new technologies, learn new strategies, and be open to new possibilities.  We must face all this change with courage, resolve, and hope.  If we do, we will be the leaders.  If we don’t, the dizzying  rate of change will consume and paralyze us.  Fortunately, you are not alone.  Help is all around you.  Reach out to others going in the same direction that you are and turn this seemingly uncontrollable chasm of chaos into a journey of joy!  I’ve written a book that focuses on change called On Track, On Fire, and On Purpose.  It discusses three critical tools for harnessing the power of change, your vision, your values, and your virtues.  You can purchase it on Amazon.com or from my website www.thepoetspeaks.com.

5 Changes That Will Make a Dramatic Difference

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This article discusses five changes that can make a dramatic impact on your life:  And, the good thing about them is that you don’t need to wait for someone else to start realizing the benefits.  Your future is in your own hands.

The first change we must make has to do with our health.  We must make it a priority, do our own research, and take care of our bodies. 

The second change has to do with taking care of others.   Is there someone in your life that requires your support and nurturing now?

The third change is to begin preparing for your next job right now.  With the lightening  speed of change, who knows when opportunity will knock.   You’ve got to be ready and poised to make a move.  So make sure that you take advantage of educational offerings and stay at the top of your game.  While others may be pensive and fearful, you must remain positive, focused, and productive.

The fourth change has to do with interpersonal skills.  People who get along with others tend to have longevity in organizations.  Be sure to appreciate and work well with diverse people.  Be a leader and set small goals to learn more about the diversity in your organization.  Don’t wait until a specific national emphasis month; instead incorporate learning about others into your daily routine.

The fifth change is to prepare for the future.  Start putting into place backup plans for your retirement and future well-being.  Are you learning to live within your means and spending less and saving more?   With all the fear in the air, it’s easy to get paralyzed, confused, and apathetic.  But, for leaders and winners, change implies, taking charge.  And, those that take charge are noticed and rewarded! We have a choice; we can be swept up by change or we can learn to face it, embrace it, and manage it.  We must be firm, yet flexible at the same time.  Spencer Johnson’s #1 bestseller, Who Moved My Cheese tackles this subject with humor and insight.  If you haven’t read it already, you’ll want to read it. It inspires great thought and offers a wonderful perspective on how to deal with change.  In it he uses four characters, Sniff and Scurry and Hem and Haw to represent the search for cheese in the maze of life.

Continue Reading Part 2: Handling Change   http://wp.me/ppImQ-d5

Barbara Talley is a Poet, Author, Publisher, and Keynote speaker who speaks on Time Management, Goal Setting, Empowerment, Communications, Diversity, Leadership, and Women’s Issues. To book Barbara for an event, phone 301.428.4831, email her at barbara@thepoetspeaks.com or visit her website www.thepoetspeaks.com.

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We Are the Makers of Our Misery and of Our Merriment

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Do you believe in fate, karma, or that, ‘what goes around comes around?’   Perhaps you are not the mystical type but are more scientific and believe instead in ‘cause and effect.’  Two different perspectives, but they both lead to the same conclusion and that is, ‘our faith, beliefs, and actions produce our results.’  Certain beliefs and actions produce happiness and other beliefs and actions produce unhappiness.

What You Believe Is Your Reality!

We are makers of our misery and we are the makers of our merriment.  It is all about perspective.  Studies have shown that happy people don’t have fewer tests, challenges, or problems.  But they do have an uncanny way of finding the good in most circumstances.  Their attitude in turn changes their problem into an opportunity.  These people tend to take responsibility for the good and the bad.  Now some will disagree with me and say, “I didn’t cause …… to happen!”   And, I agree. What you believe is your reality.  I however prefer to believe that I in some way did cause or attract my current reality.  Otherwise I’m admitting that I’m powerless, that I’m a victim of circumstances and that I have no control over what happens or doesn’t happen in my life.

Choose! Are You Powerful or Powerless?

We can’t have it both ways, either we have power and what we do matters or that we are powerless and forces beyond our control determine our fate.  If we choose to believe we have power then we must accept the role we played or refused to play that created our current reality.  We must accept responsibility for our lives and not blame others.  But, in this acceptance, we unlock the doors of power and unlimited possibilities.  In refusing to accept responsibility and instead blaming others, we unconsciously relinquish our power.  So, if you want to be happy, choose to be.