Hello, my friends and welcome to the Live Inspired podcast, Monday morning moments with John O'Leary.

You know, a wonderful perk of my business is getting to share the stage

with some of the most remarkable, some of the most eloquent, some of the most impactful speakers

alive. To grow in this business, I've studied some of the greatest speakers who have ever been

born. And yet the greatest speech I've ever witnessed

was not on some big stage delivered by someone famous wearing some fancy suits. Note was a far more

modest setting delivered by a far less trained presenter representing a far more powerful message.

Let me explain. Last weekend, our family celebrated the 80th birthday of our patriarch, my dad, seated in a private room, gathered around a single table,

our immediate family acknowledged a man who has positively influenced every one of our lives

in life-changing, meaningful ways. Before dinner was served, my brother Jim tapped his glass. He pushed

back his chair, and he stood up in front of his parents and siblings. Jim cleared his throat,

he got everyone's attention.

And then he delivered a beautiful prayer capturing our father's life. It was perfectly delivered.

It was deeply moving. And I hugged my brother Jim afterwards. But it wasn't the greatest speech I've ever heard. After Jim sat down, one of my

sisters stood. She quoted an emotional scene from The Chosen. She compared our dad to the

individual in the scene who longed for a healing, but was being used instead to change lives

with his infirmities. She delivered it brilliantly.

She brought each and every one of us to tears, but it wasn't the greatest speech I've ever heard.

One by one, each O'Leary child took turns toasting our dad, And yet, by the time any one of us had an opportunity

to stand and celebrate his life, the best toast of the night and the greatest speech I've

ever heard had already been delivered. You see, just as the waiters were finishing taking

orders for dinner, there was a faint tapping sound on a wine glass from the head of the table.

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