Does Your Message Match the Way You Live?

I attended two funerals recently. The manner of these friends’ passing has given me much to think about. One dropped over dead instantly from a massive heart attack at the age of 57. The other had a heart attack but died about three weeks later, just a couple of months shy of his 79th birthday.

The first was a nominal Christian who went through the motions and tried to be a good person, good husband, father friend etc. But God was not very real to him. He used substitutes to get him through the days. We all know about those things that can consume us when overdone like cigarettes and alcohol. Without a strong relationship with a Power beyond himself he turned to artificial things to bolster his courage and give him artificial strength.

He had no chance to make his peace with family or foe, friend or enemy. It would also seem that he was not prepared for his death. I cannot know what it was like for him but I do know what a blow it was for his loved ones. And I can see the struggle that they are going through to deal with their loss.

The other friend had a strong Christian faith in a God that supported him every day. He was an outstanding teacher by word and example, and a very good and wise man who led a long and fruitful life. He always had just the right thing to say. As he lay dying he called in his loved ones and dear friends one or two at a time and gave them some last words. He had always been frank but then he was even more so. He expressed his love for each and every one. To some he expressed approval but to others he expressed disappointment or advice for improvement. He seemed to understand exactly what each was feeling and was wise enough to say exactly what each one needed.

None of us knows the hour of our passing from this earth but I pray that I can be as wise and understanding as my second friend. For you see he was prepared. Regardless of the time and way in which we die we can be prepared. We must spend each day getting prepared.

Just as we must be prepared for living and dying so must a speaker be prepared before stepping in front of an audience. You must not only spend some specific time writing and practicing but you must look at how your daily life is preparing you to speak. If your life and experiences are not congruent with your speaking then your audience may not get the message.

Spend time each day thinking about your message.
Examine your message to make sure the content is congruent with your life.
Live up to your potential and put your life into your message.

You can be a powerful speaker. You can be a powerful communicator.
Prepare your message and allow your life to prepare you for speaking.

You can contact me at mark@markclemons.com or go to www.clemonscreativelearning.com