Saturday 24 December 2011

HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world - (The Iron Lady - Reagan eulogy) by Darren Kelly, Kellcomm, Blog - Day 33

Hi,

When I heard Martin Luther King’s eulogy for the martyred children of Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, I was struck by the power his words offered the bereaved families. King used his empathy and choice of words to place the four young girls in the best seats in heaven. Ronald Reagan achieved the same spiritual beauty when he spoke after the Spaceship Challenger exploded in 1986. Those two tragedies were unforeseen events that shocked the world. In 2004, after Ronald Reagan died at his home in Los Angeles, it was time for someone to offer a eulogy for him.

It was Reagan’s wish that Margaret Thatcher participated in the service, and she didn’t let him down. ‘The Iron Lady’ proved that she could be soft- hearted, even if she was not soft-headed. She delivered a eulogy at the state funeral service which was conducted at the Washington National Cathedral on June 11, 2004. Thatcher had been advised by her doctors not to speak in public so her eulogy was videoed. She was present and watched her amazing tribute from her seat in church. This was a master class in offering a eulogy, and it poured comfort into the hearts of the Reagan family and the people of America. Why was it so good?

Her eulogy was more than just a tribute. It was a journey into the mind of her friend, and how his private world gave him the strength for his public life. Thatcher revealed some of Reagan’s words from their private conversations. Reagan once told Thatcher, “Nancy came along and saved my soul.” Can you imagine how beautiful those words sounded to Nancy Reagan? Can you imagine how Reagan’s children felt when Thatcher called him “a great president, a great American, a great man and a dear friend?” Can you imagine how his supporters felt when she said his “cheerful and invigorating style” healed the spirit of America? Thatcher offered us an insight into the humour and strength of Reagan that the cameras did not see. She described Reagan’s response to an attempt on his life. The former President told the doctors, “Whatever time I’ve got left belongs to the big fella upstairs." Thatcher showed us how his diplomacy and honest communication helped end the cold war without fighting. She revealed that he told Mikael Gorbachev, “Let me tell you why it is we don’t trust you.” Reagan won the respect of his enemy and led his enemy to peace.

‘The Iron Lady’ quoted the words of Bunyan, “that 'all the trumpets sounded on the other side.” This placed her friend Ronnie in a place of happiness, just like he did for others in 1986 and just like Martin Luther King did in 1963.

Obama will have seen and heard the eulogy for Reagan, and I do wonder how much it inspired the Senators eulogy for Rosa Parks in 2005. Obama spoke in the same tones as Thatcher when he praised Parks private and public life and her effect on his life. Obama said, “I think it is fair to say, were it not for that quiet moment of courage by Mrs. Parks, I would not be standing here today. I owe her great thanks, as does the Nation. She will be sorely missed.” Thatcher and Obama proved that a eulogy’s power comes from its honesty; it’s freshness of information and its ability to describe a person’s inner and outer life. What makes it even more special is when the speaker proves the effect the person had on their life.

Tomorrow, I will share with you five straight talking phrases spoken by 'The Iron Lady'.

Take care,

Darren.


PS: 'HOW TO GIVE A BETTER SPEECH THAN OBAMA and change your world' - is available on iTunes and Amazon NOW!
Audio Version only.
Text version in January 2012.

Kellcomm, Princes Exchange,Princes Square,Leeds, LS1 4HY, United Kingdom

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