"The Talking Bird"

(Taken from Willie Jolley's Best Selling Book "It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life!)

"One of my favorite stories is about a rare talking bird that could speak five languages. A man heard about this rare talking bird and set out on a worldwide search for it. After an exhausting search he stopped in a pet store to ask for more information and it was there that he found the bird! He told the owner that he had to go on a short trip, but to please send the bird to his house in two days.

When he arrived home in two days he asked his wife if the bird had arrived, and she replied, "Yes." He said, "Where is it?" And she said, "In the oven." "What? That was a one-of-a-kind bird that could speak five languages!" And his wife said, "Well, why didn’t it speak up?" Most of us are like that bird. We have skills and talents that could change our lives, but we won’t speak up and show the world what we’ve got to offer? Folks, let others know of your skills and talents. Let them know that you are unique. There is no one exactly like you. No one!

SO...Speak Up!

If you want something in life, you have to be willing to speak up and let people know what you want. We talked previously about the bird that would not speak up and therefore became someone's dinner. Well, the same is true for most people: they do not ask. The Bible says, "Ask and you shall receive." Well, the converse is also applicable: Don't ask, and you probable will not receive. Most people receive not because they ask not. As my friend Larry Winget says, "If you want more out of life, you must ask for more out of life!" Ask and you will receive, don't ask and you will only get what life throws your way and not what you want. If you want to get. Then you need to ask...If you want to G.E.T. then you must A.S.K! So...Speak Up!!!!"

Copyright © 2006 100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont