How Do You See Things? How Do You Hear Things?

On September 29, 2011, I am going to do an inspirational presentation before at a Regional Lions Club Dinner, a group part of the worldwide Lions Club International.  This is an organization of volunteers who serve their communities.  In preparation for my session, I met with Chester, a club president.  I wanted to meet Chet and get familiar with him, his members, and the organization's mission.  As a result, I discovered something quite inspiring.

In our discussions, Chet told me he wanted to know what part Helen Keller played in the development of the organization.  I said I would investigate that.  As we talked further about various things, we decided that my presentation to the group would be about identity and purpose for individuals and an organization.  I went home and came up with a message called, "Who We Are is Why We Are", a unique perspective on understanding who we are and the purposes we could be pursuing that fit our passions and talents.

I then did a search on the internet of Helen Keller and the Lions Club International.  And here is where things got really good.  I found a speech that Helen Keller delivered to the Lions Club International in 1925.  Helen Keller was a woman who became blind and deaf due a fever developed at 18 months of age.

With the help of an exceptional teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan of the Perkins School for the Blind, Keller learned sign language and braille, and a few years later, she learned to speak.  As an adult, she became a tireless advocate for people with disabilities.  On June 30, 1925, Keller attended the Lions Clubs International Convention and challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness."  The Lions accepted Keller's challenge and their work has ever since included sight programs aimed at preventable blindness.

Here is Keller's speech (rather short, but powerful):

Dear Lions and Ladies:

I suppose you have heard the legend that represents

opportunity as a capricious lady, who knocks at every door but once, 

and if the door isn't opened quickly, she passes on, never to return. 

And that is as it should be.  Lovely, desirable ladies won't wait.   

You have to go out and grab 'em.

I am your opportunity.  I am knocking at your door.  I want to be adopted. 

The legend doesn't say what you are to do when several beautiful opportunities present themselves at the same door. 

I guess you have to choose the one you love best. 

I hope you will adopt me.

I am the youngest here, and  

what I offer you is full of splendid opportunities for service.

The American Foundation for the Blind is only 4 years old. 

It grew out of the imperative needs of the blind, and was called into existence by the sightless themselves. 

It is national and international in scope and in importance. 

It represents the best and most enlightened thought on our subject that has been reached so far. 

Its object is to make the lives of the blind more worthwhile everywhere by increasing their economic value and giving them the joy of normal activity.

Try to imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly stricken blind today.

Picture yourself stumbling and groping at noonday as in the night; your work, your independence, gone.  In that dark world wouldn't you be glad if a friend took you by the hand and said, 

"Come with me and I will teach you how to do some of the things you used to do when you could see?"   

That is just the kind of friend the American Foundation is going to be to all the blind in this country if seeing people will give it the support it must have.

You have heard how through a little word dropped from the fingers of another, a ray of light from another soul touched the darkness of my mind and I found myself, found the world, found God.

It is because my teacher learned about me and broke through the dark, silent imprisonment which held me that I am able to work for myself and for others.

It is the caring we want more than money.

The gift without the sympathy and interest of the giver is empty.

If you care, if we can make the people of this great country care, the blind will indeed triumph over blindness.

The opportunity I bring to you, Lions, is this:

To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation for the Blind. 

Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be

no preventable blindness;

no little deaf, blind child untaught;

no blind man or woman unaided? 

I appeal to you Lions,

you who have your sight, your hearing, 

you who are strong and brave and kind.

Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?

I thank you.

QUESTION:  WHAT DOES THAT SOUND LIKE TO YOU?  I have an answer for me, but since this blog is long right now, I will answer later.  Please ponder Helen's speech.  What does Helen's speech mean to you?    

Back to my presentation at the Regional Lions Club Dinner.

I have further developed the title of my presentation:   

"Who You Are is Why You Are:  

What Are You Seeing and Hearing Where You Are?"

I am expecting an amazing session where attendees will be spiritually impacted to be all they can be "In Christ".

Hey, 42nd Generation, I would like to hear your comments on this blog.

SEE and HEAR ya soon, at this location, along the Jordan River, ready to cross.