Story...The Magic of the Night Sky

I love the night sky. There is something comforting, mysterious and hopeful about standing under a canopy of swirling stars. Each summer I go camping alone in Canada's beautiful northland to satisfy a hunger for solitude, wilderness and the night sky. Away from city lights there is nothing more awe inspiring than a star studded sky in the stillness of the wilderness.

I usually set up camp beside a lonely northern lake providing me with a long horizon and an uninterrupted view of the heavens. As darkness approaches I begin to sense an overwhelming closeness to the mysteries of the universe and a strong connection to the source of all that is. I become aware of an alternate rhythm to life - a rhythm which is so easily lost amidst the frenetic pace of contemporary existence. Embraced by darkness, with stars too numerous to count and comforted by the gentle lapping of the waves I begin to realize how much I miss living in a city with its incessant, invasive brightness. It is as if I am rediscovering an enormous part of a lost spiritual heritage.

When sleep begins to engulf me and my eyes start to close, I reluctantly move toward my camper not wanting to miss a moment of this celestial display but realizing that I can't resist the call to slumber any longer. In the warmth of my sleeping bag I let the silence and stillness lull me to sleep with the immortal words of Sophocles gently echoing across the centuries, " Mortal I know I am, short lived. Yet whenever I stand beneath a multitude of swirling stars I no longer tread this earth, but rise to feast with God and enjoy the food of the immortals." And so to sleep.

Mike Moore is an international speaker and writer on human potential and humor.

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Free Copy of The Healing and Bonding Power of Laughter

Hi. I'd like to offer you all a Free copy of my powerful life changing e-book " The Healing and Bonding Power of Laughter" Click Here
With thanks. Mike

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Public Speaking Coaching:Cartoon for Speakers

So true...

14 Public Speaking articles



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Become a Storyteller People Want to Listen To

Anyone who has heard me speak knows that I'm a big time believer in the art and power of storytelling. Every speech I deliver is generously laced with stories that amuse, inform, entertain and challenge my audiences.

Ever since we were young children we've had a hunger for stories and this hunger does not vanish with age. I read recently that we, as adults, listen to over 100,000 stories a year and I have no difficulty believing it. I think the number is actually higher when you consider that one phone call from a friend can contain over a dozen stories.

If I were asked to identify the secret to successful public speaking I would say, without hesitation, the ability to tell a great story.

Storytelling isn't just vital to public speakers, it is a very important skill to have in any social situation.

To learn more about how you can master the captivating art of storytelling in your personal and professional life visit my storytelling website.                  

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A Speaker's Lesson Learned

No matter how long you have been speaking there are still lessons to be learned and I learned a huge one earlier this month in the province of Manitoba. I was booked to do two, one hour presentations to the Eastern Manitoba Dairy Farmers annual conference in the beautiful little town of Steinbach Manitoba.. The flight from Hamilton ON was terrific. There is something awe inspiring about flying at 41,000 feet in the autumn moonlight.

The accommodations were clean and comfortable and I certainly was well fed by friendly hospitable farm folk. "So what's the problem?" you ask. Well it was in the set-up of the hall. The conference took place in a rather large one room community hall just outside of Steinbach. The fact that it was in ONE room was the problem.

The planners had the hall divided into two sections separated by a large blue curtain. On the right side of the curtain was the speaking and eating area. On the left side was the sponsor's display area. The sponsors had their booths set up to attract potential customers and the farmers flocked to their section to chat with friends and representatives from the various sponsoring companies. The laughter and the social interaction was a pleasure to behold. Until it was my time to speak that is.

It was only when I began to speak that I became aware of the competing noise level coming from the other side of the blue curtain. It was totally distracting and there was nothing anyone could do about it. The sponsors had every right to interact with the farmers. They were paying the bills for the conference and I was only an invited guest hired by the planners to present two talks on humor and human relationships.

The only thing that saved my sanity was the magnetic power of humor and laughter. The more the audience laughed the more the people from the other side of the curtain were drawn to see what was so funny. I survived the first day but the second day was no better. The same thing happened, plus a few crying babies.

THE LESSON LEARNED??? Always ask about the set-up of the room or hall. You can bet that from now on I will want to know if the sponsors will be in the same room as the speakers. If they are I will either decline the invitation or increase my fee to include combat pay.

It was a frustrating but fun experience. I got good coverage from the Winnipeg affiliate of CTV and the people really enjoyed my message and my style of delivery. In spite of the distractions I remained calm and focussed. If I had become flustered I think the audience would have reacted negatively towards me. Another lesson learned.

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Cartoon Humor in Public Speaking

How to Use Cartoon Humor in Public Speaking By Mike Moore

I have been drawing and selling my own cartoons for about 35 years and have used them in just about every speech I’ve ever given. There is something about funny cartoons that captivates an audience and helps a public speaker get a point across quickly and effectively.

For example, I was planning a seminar on the value of appreciation and praise in the workplace when I got the idea for this cartoon. I have a worker standing before a back patting device in his office. For 25 cents you can have this machine give you a much needed pat on the back. The worker is about to receive his pat on the back as he thinks, “ Oh well, it’s a start.”

This specific cartoon helps stimulate discussion on the value of appreciation and praise in the workplace. I encourage you as a speaker to use cartoons in your talks. If you can’t draw them yourself, collect them for use in your speeches. Always try to seek permission from the cartoonist before you use one of their cartoons.

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52 Motivational Cartoons for speakers

Cartoons for Speakers, Trainers and Teachers

Five reasons speakers, trainers and teachers should always use cartoons in their presentations

1. Cartoons can get a point across quickly and clearly

2. They spark audience attention and interest

3. They can lighten up serious, heavy material

4. They promote audience recall of your content

5. Cartoons make your powerpoint graphics come alive

Above is an example of a cartoon I use in my presentations.

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