The Healthy and Wealthy You is Expressive
Posted by admin on August 24th, 2010
One of the things your humble blogger immerses herself in on a weekly basis is to help sponsor a Toastmaster club. Toastmasters, International is a speech making and leadership training group where, in this case, men behind prison walls are encouraged to become the best they can be.
It works really well. The club at our local state prison, LibOrators 986233 (catchy name, don’t you think?) has welcomed prison inmates as members and they have willingly opened their ranks to people on the streets, as well.
There is no way to describe the joy and encouragement these guys get from visitors who come from ordinary lives as engineers, retirees, pastors’ wives and farm service employees as well as members of Toastmaster clubs outside the prison walls. It means the world to them to see familiar faces who come to be present with the men and listen to them-not only with their ears but with their hearts.
One of the guys asked me recently if I ever blogged about the club. Yes, long ago and far away. I had been thinking it was time to take out bragging rights again. This man’s question nudged me into action.
Another inmate brought us to tears when he shared this writing of his own creation:
“SPLIT”
I know the pain in your eyes.
What was done can never be erased.
The memories are always there.
Changes won’t take away the fear.
Family is the bond of life;
Truth is the safeguard of lies.
Love give the strength to live-
My life is no longer my own.
Loved ones come before my desires.
Your love pierces my heart, my soul.
Words will never fix all that’s broken.
My love for you is an undying love.
The life I lived was unfair to you.
I thought my problems were my own
Now you will know my heart and soul.
Secret is not a word I will know.
I will take off my mask only for you.
We will experience this all
As one soul split in two lives.
–BMQ, August 2010
The kid who wrote and presented this poem is a gangly, boyish fellow whose arms are long enough to move like windmills. His feet and ears are as big as can be and his winning smile matches them in size. He came to the club as a shy and immature child. In a matter of months and having learned for certain that he is a young father, his demeanor completely changed. He quickly matured into a thoughtful, caring and sensitive young adult who now pays attention to detail. He shows us he has become a more mannerly member; his speeches have become more thoughtful and expressive and meaningful because his life has taken on new perspectives and new priorities.
You can read about visits to prisons and the pat searches, the clanging of the gates, the noise on the yard and all the rest of it. What people don’t always realize is that these men made terrible choices and serious errors in their lives and they are paying dearly. Prison is no fun and sometimes it’s the pits. More than that, it can be a degrading, humiliating, lonely place that makes guys feel alienated from reality. BMQ’s piece gives you a new perspective about prisoners.
In your quest for Health and Wealth, I hope you will come to visit our club some Monday night. Get your paperwork in order because they don’t let just anybody behind those walls.
You can learn more about Toastmasters by clicking here.
If you are in hot pursuit of health, go here. If wealth pushes your hot button, go here.
Want to know what else is recommended? GO HERE. AND HERE.
We hope you stop by again soon. We also hope you chime in by leaving a comment on this page. Thanks!
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