02.05.08
Finding Happiness
“One thing I know; the only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”
-Dr. Albert Schweitzer
04.15.07
Nature is Better than Prozac™
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature”
- Anne Frank
03.17.07
Walk with the Sages: Version 2
This speech won my Toastmasters club’s inspirational speech contest. Yay! 
The purpose of my talk is to show you how to use the wisdom of the sages to cultivate your spiritual values and improve your life.
After giving an earlier version of this speech to the Dupont Circle of Speakers, I overhauled it based on their helpful suggestions. Thanks Dupont Circle of Speakers!
This version was given on February 27 at Capital 1 Toastmasters–my home group. Because I won the club competition, I will now compete at the area level on Wednesday, March 21. Wish me luck! 
Here is the transcript for the new and improved “Walk with the Sages” speech: Read the rest of this entry »
03.15.07
Inspiring Story of Amish Forgiveness
In her sermon Faith of the Heart, Minister Cheryl M. Walker tells the story of how the Pennsylvania Amish community responded to the Oct. 2 murder of five of their community’s young girls in a schoolhouse. Read the rest of this entry »
03.12.07
Self Control Begins with Mind Control
“Evil thoughts are also a sign of illness. Let us, therefore, guard ourselves against evil thoughts.”
–Mohandas Gandhi
In our culture, we prioritize our actions over our thoughts. We rightly believe in freedom of thought and speech and do not want to limit these liberties. This is good, but if we want to control our own actions, we best start by learning to control our minds. For it is from our minds and thoughts that our actions arise.
How best to control our minds? I have found the technique of “Walking with the Sages” extremely useful. Watch or read my speech to learn more about it. Read the rest of this entry »
03.10.07
Balance Reason with Compassion
“Reason, devoid of the purifying power of faith, can never free itself from distortions and rationalizations.”
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Do you base your decisions more on your head or your heart? What do you do to avoid the pitfalls of listening to only one exclusively?
• Many people offer a variety of reasons for eating animals. Is it possible that these reasons are used to silence their heart and conscience on the matter? Read the rest of this entry »
03.06.07
You Make Your Own Happiness
“He who harps on his woes, multiplies them manifold.” –Mohandas Gandhi
• Sometimes it feels good to complain, but does it generally improve the situation; or does it tend to keep us (and those around us) stressed, tense and anxious?
• What are more productive and calming alternatives to complaining?
• Think of a time where you wanted to complain, but your higher self restrained you. What was that experience like? What allowed you to maintain your composure? Did you appreciate the self-control shown? Read the rest of this entry »
03.05.07
Walk with the Sages: Version 1
“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. Read the rest of this entry »