Press Release: This past weekend Barbara Glanz, Certified Speaking Professional, received the 2010 distinguished “Legends” award at the 23rd annual Veteran Speaker’s Retreat at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, PA. The criteria for selection for the “Legends – A Lifetime Achievement Award” is that each honoree must have outstanding national/international stature, have a minimum of 20 years as a professional speaker, and make unique contributions to the speaking profession.
The Class of 2010 award recipients are Ray Pelletier, posthumously (his brother accepted for him), Jim Rhode, Larry Baker, Barbara Glanz, Gil Eagles, Manny Steil, and also posthumously, Bill Brooks . Barbara is honored and thrilled to have received this prestigious award.
Barbara receiving the award from Naomi Rhode
All the past legends in attendance
Since those of you who are reading this blog are also my clients and friends, I thought you might want to read my acceptance speech:
Barbara giving her acceptance speech
LEGEND SPEECH – August 2010
How BLESSED we are to be in this business! It is such an honor and so fitting that Naomi introduced me. She has long been a role model and mentor, and I have always loved her NSA theme, ‘’The PRIVILEGE of the Platform.” And yet the reality is that this business is not always easy, right?
A year ago last fall I had been on 38 flights in 7 weeks. I got home after midnight, absolutely exhausted and almost in tears, and I thought, “Oh, Lord, what am I doing with my life? Two of my kids are out of work, nearly all my friends who are not speakers are retired, and I am killing myself!”
About 1:30 that morning as I was going through a 3 foot high stack of mail, I came across a padded envelope with a book inside. I looked at the cover and thought., “WHY am I getting this book? I don’t even know this person.”
When I finally opened the book, I was shocked to see that it was dedicated to ME! The handwritten inscription read, “Dear Barbara, You are responsible for my writing this book. I heard you on the radio TEN YEARS AGO, and you inspired me to write my story. Thank you for the difference you are making in this world.
Gratefully, Monica”
What a direct wakeup call from the Lord! Of course then I really cried, knowing precisely that I was in the right place doing the right thing!
As a fun aside, I called Monica the next day and found out she had heard me on a radio program from Minnesota as she was driving at night in Indiana. I never remember EVER doing a radio program in Minnesota! Oh, my, the privilege of our platform…..wherever it may be!
As I think back on my career, there are three things that provided the foundation for me to be here today:
1. When I started the company in 1995, I said, “God, you gave me this gift, so this is Your company. You put me where you want me to be.” I chose Proverbs 3:16 as my life verse: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct they paths.” What has happened in my life is an absolute miracle of the Lord. From a small town Iowa girl to a person who has spoken in all 50 states and on all 7 continents with no formal marketing has been beyond my wildest imagination!
2. Ken Blanchard became a friend after having lunch with him and telling him the story of “Johnny the Bagger®” in the 1990’s. (That is a long story I can share with anyone later 😉 Years later he shared with me his definition of EGO – “Edging God Out”, and that has become paramount in my life and career. I certainly am not perfect, but I always remember that I am just the messenger, and that keeps me centered and grounded.
3. Ever since I started speaking, I have begun (silently of course) with this prayer from Mother Teresa, “Let the light of Jesus shine through me and let people not see me, but see His love.” And that is always my prayer – that even though I have wonderful content to present to my audiences, that they will most of all feel my authenticity and “see His love.” So, even with this honor of being chosen a Legend of the Speaking Profession, I am VERY clear that it is NOT about me! Of course, I have worked very hard, but it is wonderfully reassuring to know that I am not in this alone.
One of the quotations I most love and use whenever I am speaking about Appreciation is from Albert Schweitzer:
“Sometime our light goes out but is blown again into flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.”
After I share this, I ask my audiences to close their eyes and think of someone who at sometime in their lives has rekindled their inner light. I leave the room in silence for several minutes. Then I ask them in the next 72 hours to let that person know – a phone call, a note, or even a little prayer if they are no longer here.
Finally, I tell them of the story of a teacher and the difference that note made in her life. What I want to tell you with such gratitude today is the difference each of you has made in my life, whether it be support, learning, hugging, sharing, or simply laughing together. Many times YOU have rekindled my inner light.
Tonight, in a hurting world, let us all continue to be messengers, blessed with the deepest PRIVILEGE of rekindling light and hope in the lives of our audiences.
I always end every presentation with the words of my dear friend, Og Mandino. This is his “Rule #10” from “A Better Way to Live:”
Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, loved one or stranger, friend or foe, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person you meet, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and the kindness and the understanding and the love that you can muster, and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.
And dear Friends, my life will never be the same again for having known all of you. Thank you for this honor and God bless.
