03.05.07

Walk with the Sages: Version 1

Posted in Quotes to Live By, Toastmasters, Self Help at 1:54 pm by Freeman Wicklund

“Walk with the Sages” is a speech on how to use the wisdom of the sages to cultivate your spiritual values and improve your life. This speech was presented on February 24 to the Dupont Circle of Speakers Toastmasters. The speech transcript and a download of my handout follows.

Walk with the Sages: Version 1

Mister Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters, and Guests, what spiritual values would you like to cultivate in your life? Would you like to be more generous? Would you like to have more compassion? More courage? More composure during difficult times?
Wouldn’t it be nice to walk with the sages, so their wisdom could guide you through your daily life? Well, you can! And I am going to show you how – in three easy steps.

This Christmas, I visited my parents at their home in Minnesota. They had just returned from India where they had purchased for me a present—a little “light reading” – this book called A Thought for the Day by Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi has always been an inspirational sage to me, so I devoured his book with great interest.

Have you ever read words of wisdom that inspire you — giving you energy? Or that soothe you — making you feel at peace? Or that fill you with love for your fellow humans and animals? I found that many of Gandhi’s thoughts had this effect on me. His quotes are so inspiring to me that I wanted to be able to refer to his wisdom throughout my day, to guide me through the rough spots. But this “puppy” is way too big to lug around! How could I keep his truths close at hand?

Here’s what I did, in three simple steps. Step one: I found my favorite quotes of his by reading all 688 pages of his book. Step two: I typed up my 90 favorite quotes onto one sheet of paper that I folded up and put in my planner so I have it wherever I go. Step three: I made a commitment to spend 10 minutes every day reviewing these quotes and trying to memorize them.

Then, during the day, when difficulties arise and I start to feel anxiety, impatience, or discouragement, I review his sage advice—either by pulling out the quotes and reading them, or by reciting them to myself from memory. Let me share with you an example of how walking with the sages helps me in my daily life.

As a job, I do over-night pet sitting. Recently, a new client had me take care of her hound dog named Elmer. Elmer is a sweet dog, but in the evening he would engage in “chewing rampages;” destroying anything he could get his teeth on. I discovered this habit of Elmer’s when I saw my cell phone—which I had left on the table—on the floor with fresh teeth marks in it. I picked it up- it wouldn’t even turn on. Holding in my hand the soulless shell of my once lively phone, I started to feel dread creeping into me.

Then Gandhi whispered in my ear: “True happiness does not come from obtaining what one likes. It comes from cultivating a liking for what one dislikes.” Well, I certainly disliked this. So I asked myself, “how could I possibly cultivate a liking for this?” I thought about it: Hmm… It is opportunity to develop patience… to maintain composure during a disappointing time… and to be thankful for all of the abundance I have in my life… it’s not like I don’t have the means to get a new cell phone. Besides, it’s time for me to upgrade it anyway. Hey! I feel great!

I got on with life, purchased a new cell phone, and most importantly, did all of this while keeping intact my compassion for Elmer. Having experienced the good that walking with the sages has done for me, I believe that it will improve your life too!

Let’s get you started. First, where will you find your quotes? Anywhere and everywhere! Every day we come across inspirational quotes; in stories, speeches, and sermons; in books, magazines, and on the Internet, and especially at Toastmasters! Any quote you discover that inspires you to be more humble, more giving, or more loving, write it down!

And where should you write them? Put them all on one piece of paper or in one pocket notebook so you can carry them with you. To jump-start your quote list, I have created a handout that I will give you after my talk with some Gandhi quotes. Now Gandhi might not do it for you. You may prefer quotes from Jesus or Jessie Jackson , Abraham or Abraham Lincoln, Mohammad or Mohammed Ali, Mother Theresa or your own mother or father. That’s fine. Whatever works for you! Your quote sheet is benefit you, so personalize it and make it your own.

Finally, where will you find the time to review and memorize these nuggets of knowledge? If you are ambitious, take five or ten minutes in the morning to read your quote sheet and start your day off right. If this is too hard, review it during “stolen moments” like I do. Carry your quote sheet with you and study it while eating breakfast, while riding the metro, or even at work, while waiting for IT to fix your computer. All it takes is a few minutes of review each day to start redirecting your mind in more fruitful directions.

In conclusion, if you want to cultivate your spiritual values, walk with the sages! Let their knowledge help you every day by following these three simple steps:
• First, be on the lookout for quotes that inspire you.
• Second, when you find them, compile them on a single sheet of paper or in a pocket notebook that you carry with you.
• Third, spend time every day reviewing and trying to memorize your quotes.
Then, when difficulties arise, your sages will be “on call” to inspire and guide you. May you always walk with the wisdom of the sages.

Walk with the Sages Handout

This text was written in 2007 by Freeman Wicklund of FreemanWicklund.org, and it may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any e-zine, e-mail, newsletter or blog as long as this sentence and Web link are included.

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