Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness…

The United States Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson who subsequently became  the 3^rd American President.  He was an eloquent writer, writing:

"Nothing can stop a person with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help a person with the wrong mental attitude."

I think one of Jefferson’s goals was to learn everything there was to learn.  Beyond any doubt, he was the most intelligent and educated American President.  In 1962, President John F. Kennedy was hosting a White House dinner party honoring numerous, about twenty  Nobel Prize winners and some of the brightest minds in the United States.  President Kennedy quipped,

 

“I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House - with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”

In today’s world of sound bites, Thomas Jefferson wouldn’t  be able to get elected as a dog catcher, even in conservative Texas.

President Jefferson was terrified of public speaking.  I mean terrified!

In eight years as president of the Untied States, he gave public two speeches.

He may have had some type of speed impediment.  I think the real reason was that they didn’t have Toastmasters in 1776.  Jefferson was an enlightened individual and I’m sure he would have joined Toastmasters. 

In 2013, we do have Toastmasters.  It’s an opportunity for us to overcome our fear of public speaking and improve our communication skills. 

It’s all about mental attitude.