I’ve had the pleasure of being a member of the National Speakers Association since 2002. This year is very special to me because I have the honor of being President of the National Speakers Association/Colorado Chapter. Over the years I’ve heard the best speakers in the world and been exposed to their books and fabulous wisdom. One of those speakers is Sam Horn.
Sam is The Expert when it comes to encouraging people to write the book that is inside of you! I have had the pleasure of hearing Sam and getting to know her over the years. Whenever our paths cross her first question is:”Have you written your book yet”? Truth is, I would always think to myself, what book-I don’t have a book inside me. Sam is relentless and when I saw her two years ago she asked me that same question: “Have you written your book yet?” I was ready with a snappy reply this time. I told her that I felt that my subject area had been adequately covered; there were plenty of inspirational books for children. She smiled and said: “but not in your voice.” I didn’t have a witty reply and that phrase always stuck with me. I was reminded of that again when I was reading her blog recently and the title was “What are You Waiting For?” Did she write that article just to taunt me 
Upon reflection, I have come to believe that some pretty awful things can happen to children and their parents when it comes to incurring disabilities. But I’m reminded, thanks to Sam, that bad things can happen but we never lose our voice and we all have a journey to travel and hopefully enjoy. In my humble opinion, one of the greatest gifts parents can give to their children is to leave them with this lesson: no one or no event can take away their voice.
You may recall Nelson Mandela and his 1994 Inauguration speech. The quote is actually from the fabulous Maryanne Williamson.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
To me, these are some of the most inspirational words ever written and if you know a child or parents that could stand a little cheering up please consider passing this on. Thank you for the inspiration Sam Horn!
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