In 2004, Sir Winston Churchill was voted
'greatest Briton'
in a nationwide survey.
Churchill was well known for his inventive word play
in fiery and heart-stirring speeches.
He was a figure of hope
in the times of World War I and II.
In my opinion,
his speeches are not relevant to inspire in our time.
Rather,
Churchill's weaknesses, which are still unknown to many,
prove the possibility of being a value adder of society
when you cultivate your gifts and talents.
I've learned two astonishing facts about Churchill:
Bipolar Disorder
This psychiatric illness stems from a weak limbic system [emotional hub in the brain]
which throws sufferers into wild mood swings.
Though immensely privileged as a descendant of tycoons,
Churchill was not a happy child.
As long as he lived,
Churchill struggled with long periods of depression at intervals.
During his downward spirals,
he'd lose himself in his rocking chair.
At other times,
Churchill launched remarkable speeches
that burned the hearts of millions.
Churchill struggled with long periods of depression at intervals.
During his downward spirals,
he'd lose himself in his rocking chair.
At other times,
Churchill launched remarkable speeches
that burned the hearts of millions.
The epitome of an absolute grump.
High as a kite -
how jolly, and cool like today's kids, he was
with his signature victory sign!
Churchill was a stammerer
Due to a slight lisp since childhood,
Churchill had great speech difficulties.
I could imagine how he could refuse to believe
his calling for being a politician and history maker
during the crucial periods of World Wars I and II,
in consideration of his speech disabilities.
If we are stammerers,
most of us would easily shrug off a minute of
dreaming to do anything great in life.
It's not a surprise there were unkind peers
who'd belittle or even mock at a stammerer's ambitions.
But Churchill knew his passion of leading.
He was sure of his gifts in motivating people
and writing phenomenal speeches.
And so he didn't give up.
He knew he had a problem
but he didn't let it hinder him from living out his calling.
Churchill visited speech therapists
and practised dilligently in front of a mirror everyday.
His abundant vocabulary knowledge
and creative word plays made him a brilliant wordsmith.
Moses
who delivered the Ten Commandments
at Mount Sinai
was a stammerer too.
He never thought he could be a leader.
When God commanded him to
return to Egypt and demand freedom for the Hebrew slaves,
Moses was reluctant at first,
''I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue''
God definitely knew his weakness
but he still chose Moses for this major assignment.
However,
Moses insisted and believed his brother, Aaron,
was the better spokesman.
Yet, Aaron's attempt failed.
Moses finally obeyed and responded to his calling.
Eventually, with faith and hardwork,
he led a nation through a miraculous journey
which is still raved about today.
Due to a slight lisp since childhood,
Churchill had great speech difficulties.
I could imagine how he could refuse to believe
his calling for being a politician and history maker
during the crucial periods of World Wars I and II,
in consideration of his speech disabilities.
If we are stammerers,
most of us would easily shrug off a minute of
dreaming to do anything great in life.
It's not a surprise there were unkind peers
who'd belittle or even mock at a stammerer's ambitions.
He was sure of his gifts in motivating people
and writing phenomenal speeches.
And so he didn't give up.
He knew he had a problem
but he didn't let it hinder him from living out his calling.
Churchill visited speech therapists
and practised dilligently in front of a mirror everyday.
His abundant vocabulary knowledge
and creative word plays made him a brilliant wordsmith.
Moses
who delivered the Ten Commandments
at Mount Sinai
was a stammerer too.
He never thought he could be a leader.
When God commanded him to
return to Egypt and demand freedom for the Hebrew slaves,
Moses was reluctant at first,
''I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue''
God definitely knew his weakness
but he still chose Moses for this major assignment.
However,
Moses insisted and believed his brother, Aaron,
was the better spokesman.
Yet, Aaron's attempt failed.
Moses finally obeyed and responded to his calling.
Eventually, with faith and hardwork,
he led a nation through a miraculous journey
which is still raved about today.
I admire Churchill and Moses' unrelenting persistencyin pursuing their passion and calling.
To them, no wall is a dead end.
The toughest walls may not break with a few punches,
but it will eventually crumble
before the determined man.
No wonder Churchill's best known for this statement
he made at the House of Commons after his appointment
as Prime Minister of the British coalition government in World War II
''I have nothing to offer but
blood, toil, tears and sweat.''
No comments:
Post a Comment