I have been making notes on what my next blog entry should be and haven’t gone forward to bring it up on the to-do list and get them posted. Today, however, I received an email from professional speaker Gene Griessman and the introduction on his e-newsletter really resonates with me. I am a flag bearer of integrity and speaking your truth. Integrity is a quality I believe is a critical component for success and for healthy self worth. I hope Gene’s writing speaks to you as it did for me. If you are interested in hiring Gene for speaking engagements or purchasing his books and DVD’s on President Lincoln please scroll to the bottom of this entry and click over to his website. Take note and remember to choose your words with care. 

THE POWER OF WORDS by GENE GRIESSMAN

(Some years ago I wrote this Lincoln soliloquy for the training film “Lincoln On Communication” and subsequently incorporated it into the one-man play “The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln.” It is included in Chapter 19 of our new book.) 

“Words have been used to encourage and praise me. Words have been used to mock, attack, and wound me. But I have never lost faith in their power or their durability.

Words can reveal thoughts, conceal pain, paint dreams, correct errors, and pass along dearly bought lessons to the latest generation.

Words can transport knowledge from the past, interpret the present, and speak to the future. Words can erect walls between people, or build bridges.

Words can inflame passions or cool them, stir up the worst or find the best, pull down or build up, tarnish or cleanse, wound or heal.

The ability to use words can endear you to your fellows, win them to your side, and help you to rise to heights you may now only dream of. That happened to my father’s son.

Pursuing the mastery of words is worth the time, the money, and all the energy you can muster. What you invest will be repaid with interest compounded.

Build up your knowledge so that your words will be true. Nurture your spirit so that your words will be true, kind, and wise.

The world may little note nor long remember what you say here. And yet it may.  For words, once released, take on a life of their own, and find lodging in places and hearts you may never know. And after many days, those words may return to haunt you, or to bless you.

Think carefully before you let them go.

(For autographed copies and quantity discounts of Lincoln Speaks To Leaders, contact us at www.presidentlincoln.com)

If you are involved in planning an upcoming meeting, sales conference, customer-appreciation event or seminar please contact Gene Griessman by visiting his website or calling 404-256-5927. Click here to watch excerpts from the Lincoln presentation in streaming video.

When so much money is being handed out to criminals and unregulated institutions Art organizations continually function on limited budgets while employing and educating millions of Americans and tourist throughout the country each year. The legislative action surrounding jobs funding for the arts in the Economic Recovery Package in Congress is picking up speed, and we need you to take action! Americans for the Arts has been working with Congressional leaders to build support for this emergency funding for local and state arts organizations to prevent job losses during this recession.

House –As you may recall, last week the House Appropriations Committee approved a plan that included $50 million in supplemental grants funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, and a number of other provisions that can benefit the arts. Starting tonight, and continuing tomorrow, the House will be considering the recovery legislation on the floor, and a number of votes are expected.

Senate –The Senate will be starting their debate on the bill on Friday and continuing through next week. While the Senate Appropriations Committee did not include an arts jobs funding provision in their version of the bill, advocates still have several opportunities over the next few days to change the final outcome. Amendments could be made to the Senate bill or the House arts funding provision itself could prevail in the final House/Senate conference bill. Please take two minutes to take action and ask your Member of Congress and Senators to support the arts in this legislation. Americans for the Arts has supplied you with fresh research and key quotes that support this funding — your help in communicating this information to your Member of Congress is critical. Thank you for your support of the arts!

Welcome to the new Connection Group web Blog, you can expect to find updates on clients, new features to the site and much much more as we continue to build our website to better serve you.