If you build it, they will come!

                         It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. 
                            Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.

Field of Dreams 1989

"If you build it, he will come." That's the ethereal message that inspires Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) to construct a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield. At first, "he" seems to be the ghost of disgraced ballplayer Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta), who materializes on the ballfield and plays a few games with the awestruck Ray. But as the weeks go by, Ray receives several other messages from a disembodied voice, one of which is "Ease his pain." He realizes that his ballfield has been divinely ordained to give a second chance to people who have sacrificed certain valuable aspects of their lives.

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Friends, just two today's ago we sat staring at each other, little 4-year-old Tia and I the teacher. Just like Mohommad Ali and Joe Frazer ( Thriller in Manilla )

How do you enter the mind of a 4-year-old; very carefully.  At previous classes I knew she could write her first name, so she says no no no and more no's! 

Ok, all projects we do each day must be signed and dated and kept in a folder for future viewing by anyone, like a parent?

Interestingly the children ages 4 - 13 show-up for classes some every day, some whenever. Mostly they are influenced by a friend or brother/sister.  On the top, one of the girls wrote Tia's name, but the mean old teacher says she must sign it!  Well, we both stood our ground; only the future will tell?

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My words

This is why Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella's dream is important here.

"Ease the pain." He realizes that his ballfield ( classroom ) has been divinely ordained to give a second chance ( or first chance ) to children.

I call it ' Building a Toolbox'.

To understand why Ray's dream and my dream are the same.
Years back I wrote:

Break Down That Wall

As a 13 year Toastmaster ( Worldwide organization that teaches public speaking to adults ). Toastmasters has taught me the importance of learning the art of presenting, as a speaker and a teacher.

Recently I picked up this interesting little book 'The Art of Being Unmistakable" the author Srinivas Rao, writes:

"The future belongs to the misfits?

Perhaps it always has.

It seems fitting that I'm writing this at Burning Man, a strange and alternative pop-up city that had to venture into the middle of nowhere - an ancient lakebed in the Nevada desert, known as playa - to bring itself into being near the end of every August.

Each time I come here, to this world of portapotties, alkaline dust storms, sweltering days, freezing nights, and no Starbucks - I swear to myself, this is the last freaking time. And yet there's a point when something in me shifts over, and I know I will return. How could I not? "Welcome home," they say as we reunite with each other on the playa, and it's true, even if you've never been here before, the playa calls you home."

In the last line, on page 130 of 'The Art of Being Unmistakable", the author says" It's the opportunity for a performance where you leave your heart on the stage."

What does the author mean?

So you've have read this powerful little book, it is everything you ever thought about? It is the commonsense stuff your mother said or your 4th-grade teacher?

Then you think about leaving your heart on the big stage; everyone has their idea of what their big stage is. Do let us explore the art of being unmistakable? 

Each week when I enter the classrooms (teaching Toastmaster Youth Leadership) for 1.5 hr sessions, I see the " opportunity for that performance, in those children " They have that chance to be unmistakable.

Or maybe.....

When you're running that 26.2-mile marathon, at 16 miles you hit the wall, and the lactic acid builds in your legs. You think to yourself, a water stop! You walk, your legs burn, and you want to quit. You down some Gatorade, grab some cookies (sugar, sugar) you want to quit, your legs say quit your brain says you trained and trained, it says no quitting! The big stage is only 10.2 miles away, eke! People along the way see and feel your pain, they know, because some have experienced the big stage, they feel your pain. Some know about the big stage....it can change your life.

Soon you will arrive at the big stage, and it's just like returning to the playa. It even has portapotties, this stage may have a Starbucks! Your body is so tired, but you have forgotten about the pain! You have arrived - when you get it, it's so powerful!

Don't we all hit the wall? Do you wonder what Albert Einstein's parents thought when at 9 years old his teacher said he would never amount to anything? Do you wonder what he thought? What if that was your child? What if it was you who wanted to break down the wall? We know Albert Einstein's story, but how about the next kid, he may not have a 150+ IQ, he may not be smarter than those who put up the wall?

When Ronald Reagan said "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" was it a different wall, not really, but in reality, it's the same wall that separates people from freedom.

Who builds the walls? It could be you, me, educators, government, bosses or the kids in the schoolyard. What if the wall was just in your mind? Do you think Albert Einstein cared about the wall? Why do people keep returning to the playa, maybe because they find some answers? How to climb the wall? How to get to the big stage?

My mission Youth Speaking to America is about breaking down walls. It's about giving students the chance to become someone. So exactly what is the big stage? Is it inventing the iPhone, scoring the touchdown that wins the Iron-bowl, or telling the world about The Theory of Relativity? You decide.

Youth Speaking to America is about teaching how to open young minds not to ever believe that person who says you can't do that, you're not smart enough. Remember if teaching children there is no wall, like Walt Disney, said " if you can dream it, you can do it" you can.

Everyone can reach the big stage. Your stage may be American Idol, teaching children, breaking down barriers like Nelson Mandela, building Amazon-like ( Jeff Bezos ), or just being a good parent by teaching values. Remember you don't have to be rich, just be real!

Personally, I don't remember being told this stuff. I did things the hard way because I lacked the education. The one thing I tell all the students, if you work hard, and be on time, someone will notice. But if you build your own wall ( no education ) it's so much harder, I would know!

Every child deserves a head start; a head start to become a confident speaker and leader or even be the exception like 10-year-old intellect Dalton Sherman's, keynote speech

http://youtu.be/yZm0BfXYvFg

Tia, is just 4 years old, and maybe signing her name is the first big step to 'Building her Toolbox'?
Each class is a step; each dream, each Youth Speaking to America program, and now Weebeworld, is the chance to 
' Fill that Toolbox'

Are you ready?

 Meetings: every Monday starting June 4

 Time: Meet & Greet  6 - 6:30 pm

 Start promptly: 6:30 - 8:30

 Weebew Kids: teaching English free: 3 pm, every day, no Sundays

Text or email: to reserve a seat: 63-947-697-6447

Email: york.ysta@gmail.com