By Claire Filliatreau
“The person who receives the Highest Award for Achievement is the person that if you saw in a hotel lobby someday, you would just HAVE to go introduce to your boss or your family. This is someone who consistently demonstrates that they are living the Dale Carnegie Principles and someone who has had a positive impact on you during the class.” Tonight you have chosen Claire Filiatreau to receive this honor. To say I was speechless would be an understatement. Being recognized by peers for the impact I had in THEIR lives was tremendous.
I took the Dale Carnegie Course because something was missing that I couldn’t quite figure out. Through interactions with my instructor and the class I faced the truth that I wasn’t challenged in my role. There were organizational changes happening and I was highly stressed letting that impact my personal relationships. After learning multiple ways to cope with and rise above all of these challenges, I realized that helping others learn ways to make positive impacts in their lives was my purpose.
As I approached a milestone birthday, it was time for many radical changes as a result of my newfound path. I changed roles within my company, became an instructor for Dale Carnegie, and I made the decision to adopt our first child. Dale Carnegie took a life that had lots of potential and ignited it. Stoking the flames of enthusiasm and encouraging me to find positive ways to cope with stress. In all that I do, I strive to live up to the honor and responsibility bestowed by my class.
Live vibrantly with enthusiasm, through the great times and the hard times. Always believe in the power of what you can accomplish with a positive attitude, intentionally seek ways to strengthen these traits in others, and if you do, you will find the purpose you are looking for.
Image: freedigitalphotos.net
