Wednesday and Public Speaking

Yesterday was another half day. It was quiet at school, nothing happened. I've been invited to give a speech tonight at the Yucaipa Masonic Lodge. I was told to expect between 150 to 200 people to attend. The focus of the speech is having vision and I am talking about Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues.

Franklin's 13 virtues are as follows:

Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloths, or habitation.

Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

I arrived early, about 30 minutes before the dinner/program started. I was told it was going to be a program for kids, but it looked like alot of old people to me. That made me nervous, since I've never spoken publicly before any adult groups. The hall was fixed up pretty nice, and they sat me at the head table. I'd arranged to have another friend, Glen Jacobs, speak also. They wanted us to both talk for about 10 minutes. I had everything planned out, and had practiced my speech a few times. I was still nervous, and was even made more nervous, when I was told that the local newspaper was present. Glen has spoken many times before, and is a natural, so he was going to go after I got done to wrap things up. I got up when it was my time and I spoke for 12 minutes. I really ran out of things to say, so I had to just wing it for a few minutes. I thought I was going to really blow it, but I managed to give a pretty good speech. Atleast that's what I was told. I saw a few people I knew, so maybe that helped to calm me down alittle. Looking back at it, I'm glad I agreed to speak, so that maybe the next time I am called to speak it will be alittle easier.