Change the World 2

Accept everyone just as they are.
Everyone.
Just as they are.
Listen to them.
Tell them they are good, they have good skills and knowledge,
they are made of good stuff.
Tell them how they can get even better and show them how to do it.
Be positive, be supportive, believe in them.
Everyone you see, everyone you meet, everyone you know.

If you disagree with them, if they seem lazy, crazy, stupid,
believe in them anyway.
They are not inferior, less valuable, less worthy.
They are still human beings, they still have potential.
There is nothing wrong with the person,
he doesn’t need to change, it’s all there in her, just like it is in you.
They just need to make different choices.
How can they do that?
With information, with experience,
with help from people who care about them.
They won’t listen to anybody else, nor should they.

All these things we learn and practice in Toastmasters.
It’s how we treat each other that works for each of us and all of us.
When you leave here today, take it with you.
Respect for each other’s strengths.
Compassion for each other’s weaknesses.
Joy in each other’s accomplishments and
what we can accomplish together.

There is a brochure in front of you.
I wrote it before I even knew you.
But it describes what happens here.
What we know, that is, what we believe, how we listen,
and what we say and do are the keys.
It’s not just learning or being able to share what we know
or enjoying each other’s company,
we have changed, are changing, our own lives.
And we can do more than that.
Which is why there is such an excitement here.
It’s the potential of what we can do.
You feel it!

What are we going to do?
Change the world.
When are we going to do it?
Right now!