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| Building a Toolbox |
(1) The Imaginary Man
His name is Jack! Just imagine, as a young boy you were compared to Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn, but most of all Dennis the Menace.
As a young boy Jack’s father carried Jack every day, it seemed to the public library. Jack to the delight of his father became an avid reader.
Jack, loved adventure, he loved the stories of Mark Twain, Alexandre Dumas, and Jules Verne; they would impact Jack beyond anything his father could have imagined.
The idea’s of rafting down the Mississippi, or swinging a sword like D’Artagnan, or waking up on the Mysterious Island would capture Jack’s young mind.
Like the great writers and storytellers, Jack yearned to become a man of words, a leader of people, a storyteller and someday capture the minds of young boys and girls with his stories.
Jack’s First Big Adventure
It was that night Jack and his father Jake went fishing, yes on the shore of the Mississippi river. That night the moon shown brightly over the river as the fish jumped in delight, Jack saw this as a game ( catch me if you can ? )
The sight of the fireflies, the smell of the river, the intrigue, the adventure, Huck Finn! After a while, Jake said Jack, while you fish I will go across the road and visit some friends. Don’t leave this spot,
OK, Dad!
Well being the good boy Jack was, he wandered over to the long pier in search of adventure, after all, his dad would be busy and wouldn’t notice?
Now comes the part of this story when you think Jack was just dreaming? Right, there on the side of the pier was a tall black man, yes sitting on a raft, no way, Jack, takes a double take, really a black man on a raft?
When one of your heroes was Huck Finn, you ask, hey what’s your name; he says Jim of course!
Jack thinks do dreams (books) come true?
Jim, asks what are you up to, Jack says just dreaming, How would you like to take a ride down the river, asks Jim?
Jack kicks himself just to be sure he's not dreaming, sure he says.
They cast off the rope; Jim hands Jack a long pole, Wow, Jack feels just like his hero Huck Finn!
Is It True?
Jim says, are you ready, oh by the way what’s your name, Jack, Jim puts out his big strong hand glad to meet ya, Jack.
As they start to drift, Jim says just follow my lead, but if you feel anything pulling on the pole brace yourself and pull it in right away. Why say Jack ( the river monsters ) what!
Well, Jack had never read about the river monsters, what do they look like he wondered? Jim, just says if it pulls you into the river you be a great meal, eke, thinks Jack.
Jack thinks this adventure didn’t include him as dinner?
Well, Mark Twain, never wrote about the river monsters, But Jack figured I’m nine years old and tough. It could be a big fight, after all, how tough could a river monster be? Jack had whipped all the boys in his grade and then some.
So take that you monster!
As Jim and Jack drifted, they told stories, real or not this was the greatest day of young Jack’s life.
Just him and Jim adrift! Just like his hero Huck Finn.
Jack, where are you called Jake? Jack had dozed off, as his father's voice woke him, was it all just a dream?
You decide!
(2) The Golden Book
Jack, was now age 10. He wondered how he could find another challenge like ( rafting with Jim)? This chilly day in January again at the library, he discovered Dale Carnegie’s Golden Book, who was Dale Carnegie? ( Dale Carnegie was born in 1888 in Missouri, USA and was educated at Warrensburg State Teachers College. As a salesman and aspiring actor, he traveled to New York and began teaching communications classes to adults at the YMCA. In 1912, the world-famous Dale Carnegie Course® was born. He authored several best-sellers, including How to Win Friends and Influence People and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. Over 50 million copies of Mr. Carnegie's books have been printed and published in 38 languages )
As he continued to read the Golden Book Jack became intrigued by the power of Mr. Carnegie’s ideas:
Become a Friendlier Person
Win People to Your Way of Thinking
Be a Leader
Principles from How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.
He wondered how a boy of ten could 'Win Friends and Influence People'?
Could he start today? Just about when the thought popped into Jack’s brain he saw a little girl trying to reach the top shelve, Jack sprung to the rescue like a knight in shining armor, and said may I help? She looked up Jack he was so tall at age 10, almost a man she thought, yes, please reach that book ( Robinson Caruso ). She smiles, thanks she says. Jack thinks this How to Win Friends and Influence People stuff may work!
Jack begins to feel the personal satisfaction of helping another person, certainly not something anyone would say about Jack.
Jack, wonders how he could go to school and tell his friends, would they laugh? Jack, helping a girl? How to Win Friends and Influence People, no way he thinks.
Now Jack’s brain is bursting with the idea Become a Friendlier Person, but how?
Jack, looked up and saw his mother in the kitchen, hi mom, would you like me to rake the leaves? Jack’s mother put her hand on Jack’s forehead, thinking maybe he has a fever? She said thank you, Jack, wondering what had come over this boy.
Jack’s father Jake arrived home and saw the massive piles of leaves; he was stunned he said: “ did you rake the leaves Jack “ "yes Dad" Thank You, Jack!
That night before Jack dozed off; Jack thought he would one day try the ideas of the Golden Book at school.
(3) Dreams Wonderful Dreams
Sometimes your mind takes you to places beyond anywhere you ever imagined.
Jack, woke in the year 1625, in a forest with men in strange outfit's standing over him, Jack wiped his eyes, thinking he was dreaming?
Could they be, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, The Three Musketeers?
They asked, how did you get here, and from where? Jack, bewildered and scared said, “ from St. Petersburg, Missouri.“
Porthos said “ come with us to our camp, and we will feed you. You are hungry, aren’t you, Jack said oh yes.
The Musketeers had long shiny swords hanging from their belts; Jack thought back to Alexandre Dumas’s book The Three Musketeers, these men were defending the honor of the regiment against the guards of the Cardinal Richelieu and the honor of the queen against the machinations of the Cardinal himself as the power struggles of 17th-century France.
Jack thought, defending the honor of the queen, raising your sword in a protection of your King, in the 17th century France, Wow, what an adventure!
Is this what being a leader is, is this winning friends and influencing people?
Jack, fell fast asleep.
(4) Life with a purpose
Jack’s, mind kept wandering back to Jack & Jim just adrift on the river, to The Three Musketeers in the forest of France and the Golden Book. He was just ten, and his life was one big adventure.
Was it the trips to the library with his father, Jake?
Was it those compelling books, that filled Jack’s life with adventure?
Possibly one of the most powerful was the story of Liz. Jack never before cried when reading, but Liz’s story brought to life everything Dale Carnegie’s Golden Book was teaching. This amazing story of living at the bottom, and building a life from nothing, will leave you cheering and crying with happiness!
When Jack read the story of Liz Murray’s life, he was reminded of the words of Dale Carnegie: “Instead of worrying about what people say about you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.”
At the cemetery that morning Liz lay-ed on her mother's coffin { Liz's mother had just died of aids}, she looked up at God seeking a way to change her life.
Liz's father and mother were both addicted to drugs and alcohol, which made living with then impossible.
Liz left to search a better life.
She found herself at 16 years old living on the streets of New York City, with no showers, and wearing rags for clothes,? She had never imagined herself homeless and eating out of garbage cans?
Jack thought, at ten, am I old enough to realize how lucky I am?
Liz avoided school because she was embarrassed about how she smelled!
That morning Liz asked God, for an answer, ( God spoke ). Liz had a friend, a school teacher, this was Liz's chance, as the teacher helped her get back into school.
The teachers were amazed that this girl who had barely gone to school was so bright. With the first graded paper in hand, an A-, Liz took it to the teacher and said how do I get an A?
Liz had a secret she was an avid reader.
Liz took an overload of classes; her goal complete four years of high school in two.
Jack, thought he and Liz both loved books.
History tells us that Benjamin Franklin created the library and the Post Office. He wondered could he be like Liz Murray and or Ben Franklin? Would books change his life? In so many ways they already had.
Liz's story just get's better, she completes high school in two years, with the highest grades in her school, wow, the girl with no home, who ate out of garbage cans, has a chance to go to college?
Now the next big test, how to find money for college. That day at the councilors office, they searched and searched; but do remember Liz, had no family, and no one to help her with expenses.
Just as she was about to give-up, a fax came through about this essay contest at the New York Times. The winners would receive $12,000 a year scholarship money.
Liz decided she could write an essay. For the next three months, she wrote and rewrote, and finally just days before the due date she mailed off her entry.
A few weeks later the counselor received a call inviting Liz to the New York Times.
Liz arrived that Saturday morning, dressed in her best rags. She took her seat with the hundreds in attendance.
Liz was overwhelmed, she had never in her life been in a place so amazing!
The master of ceremonies began calling out names:
Third place
Second place
First Place, Liz Murray
Liz rose to the thunderous applause, and took what she felt was the longest walk of her life? Possibly the most important, to the lectern.
She shook hands with the master of ceremonies. After Liz had received her awards, she was about to step down when a reporter in the back of the room stood; he asked Liz, Liz may I ask you a question, yes, of course, Liz replied.
The question? Liz, if you had to do this all over again would you change anything? Liz, looked out at the audience, with tears running down her face, she said, " I would give all this up just to be together with my family again." Needless to say, there was not a dry eye in the audience that day!
But now as 'Paul Harvey' famous radio announcer would say' " And now for the rest of the story."
What no-one knew about Liz's story, the girl who was homeless and wore rags, she had studied and slept on the New York subway for two years, while in school, and now Liz was going to Harvard University!
Why did Liz win the essay contest? It's an easy answer; it was the story of her life?
Based on a true story.
Jack fell fast asleep
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5. The King
At age 12, Jack's father was hired as a journalist; his job seek out some of the world's most interesting stories. Jack's mother had died when he was 4, Jack's dad ( Jake ) decided to Homeschool Jack as they traveled the world in search of compelling stories.
Little did he know then that meeting the KING would become one of the most valuable lessons in Jack's young life.
That day in June, Jack met some fascinating students in his homeschool group, but none more impressive than Barry, the son of King.
All Jack could think about was the King, and the Golden Book ( How to Win Friends and Influence People ) indeed a King would live by those rules thought Jack?
As all great leaders should be the King was a great orator. Jack did wonder would the King measure up to the standards of the Golden Rule?
As time passed Jack and Barry became very close friends. This, of course, gave Jack more access to the King.
The King was a master at convincing people but was he honest; Jack began to wonder? Jack in his short life had met many interesting people, but he began to learn money and power were kings! He began to wonder what was the King's real agenda.
Because of Jack's insatiable desire for knowledge he had read many interesting books:
The 48 Laws of Power, by Robert Greene
Three Cups of Deceit, by John Krakauer
The Big Short, by Michael Lewis
Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
Stealing America, by Denish D'Souza
Future Crimes, by Marc Goodman
Jack's father wondered about Jack's interests in reading about government, wealth, and con-men? Some would guess this is why he was so interested in the King.
As he continued to read the Golden Book Jack became intrigued by the power of Dale Carnegie’s ideas:
Become a Friendlier Person
Win People to Your Way of Thinking
Be a Leader
Principles from How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.
He wondered how could a boy of twelve; Win Friends and Influence People?
Jack, wondered was the King, the role model he was in search of?
Jack fell fast asleep.
6) Imagination
That day in Paris, Jack and Jake were to have lunch at Le Jules Verne known for the exquisite cuisine.
« An experience at the heart of the Eiffel Tower,
a unique venue infused with dreams and magic... »
Alain Ducasse
Again Jack ventured into the world of one of his favorite writers Jules Verne. His adventure novels including Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873), were amazing.
That afternoon Jack fell into this place any 12-year-old would envy; Jack was to meet Jules Verne and Alexander Dumas for lunch, the questions were swarming in Jack's mind?
Jack already having read Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870) and The Three Musketeers (1844).
He wondered would famous writers answer the questions of a young boy?
Some may say it's about who you know, not necessarily what you know!
Swarming in his mind the questions like how did you imagine an atomic submarine (Jules Vernes), or guarding the Queen's honor (Alexander Dumas).
Jack had one (ace in the hole) his father was going to interview these great novelists.
Would Jules Verne reveal his secrets, of how he could look into the future almost 100 years and be right?
Four years before The French Revolution(1848), Alexander Dumas wrote The Three Musketeers; then he would become a well-known General in France's Republican Army during the French Revolutionary Wars. Did he know he would be defending the Queen?
As we are learning Jack was quite a dreamer, I ask what do you do with your dreams?
Were these great novelists just relating their dreams?
Was Jack just dreaming?
Jack, Jack it's time to get ready for school Jake called!
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6) Building a Toolbox
Jack was accumulating wealth beyond anything his father could have imagined; at just twelve years old the power of words, How to win friends and influence people were filling the Toolbox!
A Toolbox is an imaginary place where you store lessons and knowledge; then as you grow, each minute, each hour, or day, that tool is no longer a lesson or a dream, it is life!
In life mentors stage your future, they help build that ladder to success.
The stories of Liz Murray, Dale Carnegie, Jules Verne, Alexander Dumas, Jake, and of course the King, the power of books, have created in Jack's life a wealth one cannot buy!
Do you have dreams?
Are you filling your Toolbox?
7) The Lessons
One evening Jake took Jack to this strange club where people stand up and talk, Toastmasters.
Jack began to realize the oratorical powers of the King; how being able to present your ideas, your stories, etc. to any audience was real power ( the power of public speaking ).
Going back to Jacks early days at the library; like the great writers and storytellers, Jack yearned to become a man of words, a leader of people, a storyteller and someday capture the minds of young boys and girls with his stories.
One man at this Toastmasters club caught Jacks attention, Dananjaya Hettiarachchi: https://youtu.be/bbz2boNSeL0.
One line from his Toastmaster World Championship contest winning speech " I see something in you, but I don't know what it is?" kept popping back into young Jacks mind!
Building speeches, telling stories, doing this strange thing called Table Topics(TT) intrigued Jack. Indeed, the adventures of Jack could create many interesting speeches.
When as a guest, Jack was asked this TT question: "What do you think of the price of apples?" What? At each meeting, a member is assigned the role of TT master. The goal is for members and sometimes guests to stand and talk about the question for 1-2 minutes.
The answer is not relevant; there is no right or wrong answer. TT will help break any fear you may have of public speaking. It also is one of the best ways to prepare for job interviews.
All the rules of the Golden Book and Toastmasters were melding together; Jack could not wait to present his first speech.
Jack fell fast asleep
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