Speeches and Sermons

This episode isn't just about speeches and stages; it's a nostalgic look back at the events and friendships that have indelibly marked my life. From witnessing societal shifts like the moon landing and the Vietnam War to experiencing the electric energy of my first rock concert with AC/DC, my stories are not just mine—they're a shared human experience. Through humor, reflection, and a nod to the song "People of the South Wind" by Kansas, I hope to inspire you to cherish those pivotal moments that shape our journeys. Listen in, and perhaps you'll find a piece of your own story mirrored in mine.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Here for the memories thought-provoking audio memoir shorts filled with stories, humor, anecdotes and commentary on social, cultural, business and religious issues. Whatever Lyndon remembers and thinks will entertain, challenge and inform is a possible subject. The collection of memories about one's life allows for the development and refinement of a sense of self, including who one is, how one has changed and what one might be like in the future.

Speaker 2: 0:35

Greetings and salutations. This is Lyndon Wolfe and you have providentially found my audio memoir here for the memories. Glad you joined, glad you found me. I hope you enjoy this little. I don't know if it's a dissertation. It's a life experience story, you know, and life is made of stories, right?

Speaker 2: 0:57

So last episode, season two, episode 11, I shared about my uncomfortable entry into the world of public speaking, forced by my parents to enter my first speech competition at age 13. My resistance was eventually overcome with success and confidence has a way of doing that. As much as I objected, it was one of the greatest things my mother and dad ever did for me. It certainly was better than the six years of piano lessons that concluded, with my only ability being that I could identify. The instrument had black and white keys. Anyway, along the way, numerous teachers encouraged me. Mrs Gregory stood out in junior high school and my high school principal, dan Boring, gave me the most unexpected recommendation. My high school, knoxville Central, had an unusual tradition Instead of the valedictorian thank goodness. Had an unusual tradition Instead of the valedictorian thank goodness, we had 13 of them out of a graduating class approaching 400, the class speakers were chosen instead based on a speech competition, mr Boring, a very stern but fair disciplinarian and these are probably the only words he ever spoke to me called me into his office I was petrified, by the way, and told me in no uncertain terms that I was going to enter that competition. I did and I won. Our graduating class was so large.

Speaker 2: 2:13

The ceremony was held at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, which had a capacity of 6,500. Although it is no longer the premier event venue in that city, it was at the time it was there that I attended my first rock concert and smelled the pungent odor that I later learned was marijuana, and the funny-looking cigarettes being passed down almost every aisle were the obvious source of the ubiquitous smoke and much happiness, liquid as smoke and much happiness. Anyway, the opening act at my first ever rock concert was a little-known Australian ensemble named ACDC, and they burned the house down, so to speak. So much so that the main act, alice Cooper, with all of his theatrics, was anticlimactic. Back to the matriculation. So there I was, in front of thousands, anxious but not fearful. I was actually in my element and it showed, you know, that feeling, the feeling when you know that, you know that you just nailed it, that sense that you just performed in a way that exceeded your expectations, that rare occasion when you came as close To your potential as one humanly could. Well, that was one of those times.

Speaker 2: 3:27

My graduation speech was an existential tome inspired by the Kansas song People of the South Wind, and here are some of the motivational lyrics All the things that we used to do. But the days of our youth were numbered, and the ones who survived are few. Oh, I can still see the smiling faces when the times were so good, all in the old, familiar places. I'd go back if I could. Now. I've traveled all across the oceans and we've seen what there is to see, but I guess it's not the proper solution, because it's all about the same to me. Now I look back and it makes me wonder why we just couldn't see all the battles we fought and won there. In essence, its message was that, with all the events of human history, we as graduates had seen, prior to this day, a man walking on the moon. The Vietnam War, the lowering of both the voting age and drinking age to 18, paled in comparison to our lived experiences to this point, experiences that in many cases, were inextricably linked to friendships that had been forged, memories that had been made. These were the most unforgettable and life-changing impressions of our 18 years. You know, the thing about youth is that it's too long when you're in it and too short when you no longer are. And back to the matriculation again.

Speaker 2: 5:01

The school board's official representative and the final speaker of the ceremony was Dr Gene Overholt, president and founder of the Gastrointestinal Associates of Knoxville, tennessee, and associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Many consider him the father of ambulatory endoscopy centers. It was common knowledge that Dr Overholt was the first GI to perform office endoscopy back in the 1970s, a procedure I would later become very familiar with, one that discovered my esophageal cancer in 2018. Anyway, after the ceremony, he pulled me aside and said young man, I've heard hundreds of these speeches, but none better than yours. The exchange is as vivid today, nearly 45 years later, and just as meaningful.

Speaker 2: 5:54

As you've already seen with my career and we'll see more of as I broach the subject of my ministry endeavors, a parent's requirement that I participate in speech contests positively influenced me for the rest of my life. In both work and ministry, I used the skills that have been taught and was able to both with comfort and confidence in front of a room, speak and speak well and speak coherently. Speak and speak well and speak coherently. Not only did it create value for those I worked for and ministered to, but it also set me apart from many of my colleagues, competent and industrious folks, who unfortunately had a dread fear of speaking in public. This is just one example of my mother and father's wisdom guiding me when I had no ability to see the value of what they were teaching me, and it prepared me for two events that would rank among my life's highlights the sermons I delivered at their funerals.

Speaker 2: 6:50

This is Lyndon Wolfe, and you've been listening to here for the Memories, my audio memoir. I don't know if you've ever spoken in public. If you ever wanted to, it may not be something that you would find to be valuable in your life experience or something that you would like to have the ability to do. Nonetheless, you have an ability. You have certain gifts. I do hope that you uncover those gifts, you discover those gifts and you use those gifts not only for your flourishing, but for the flourishing of those around you, those that know you and love you.

Speaker 3: 7:32

God bless. If you appreciate the content and what it takes to create and deliver it, please consider a small contribution. Just go to buymeacoffeecom slash here for the memories. That's buymeacoffeecom slash here for the memories. Much appreciated oh.