Believing in People, Al Pacino's Speech....

One of my favorite speeches in all movies is Al Pacino's speech in Scent of a Woman. The speech talks about integrity, about the difficulty of choosing the right path, of doing the right thing and most importantly of believing in people. Pacino is powerful. It's inspirational, character building. Enjoy.

Mr. Simms
doesn't want it.
He doesn't need
to be labeled...
"still worthy of
being a Baird man."
What the hell
is that ?
What is your motto here ?
"Boys, inform on your
classmates, save your hide;
anything short of that,
we're gonna burn you at the stake" ?
Well, gentlemen,
when the shit hits the fan,
some guys run...
and some guys stay.
Here's Charlie facin' the fire,
and there's George...
hidin' in
big daddy's pocket.
And what are you doin' ?
You're gonna
reward George...
and destroy Charlie.

No, I'm just gettin' warmed up.
I don't know who
went to this place.
William Howard Taft,
William Jennings Bryant,
William Tell, whoever.
Their spirit is dead,
if they ever had one.
It's gone.
You're buildin'
a rat ship here,
a vessel for
seagoin' snitches.
And if you think you're
preparin' these minnows for manhood,
you better think again,
because I say you are
killin' the very spirit...
this institution
proclaims it instills.
What a sham.
What kind of a show
are you guys puttin' on here today ?
I mean, the only class
in this act is sittin' next to me.
I'm here to tell you
this boy's soul is intact.
It's non-negotiable.
You know how I know ?
Someone here, and I'm not gonna say who,
offered to buy it.
Only Charlie here wasn't sellin'

I'll show you out of order.
You don't know what
out of order is, Mr. Trask.
I'd show you,
but I'm too old,
I'm too tired,
too fuckin' blind.
If I were the man I was
five years ago, I'd take...
a flamethrower
to this place !
Out of order ? Who the hell
you think you're talkin' to ?
I've been around,
you know ?
There was a time
I could see.
And I have seen.
Boys like these,
younger than these,
their arms torn out,
their legs ripped off.
But there is nothin'
like the sight...
of an amputated spirit.
There is
no prosthetic for that.
You think you're merely sendin'
this splendid foot soldier...
back home to Oregon with
his tail between his legs,
but I say you are...
executin' his soul !
And why ?
Because he's not
a Baird man.
Baird men.
You hurt this boy,
you're gonna be Baird bums,
the lot of you.
And, Harry, Jimmy,
Trent, wherever
you are out there,
fuck you too !

I'm not finished.
As I came in here,
I heard those words:
"cradle of leadership."
Well, when
the bough breaks,
the cradle will fall,
and it has fallen here.
It has fallen.
Makers of men,
creators of leaders.
Be careful what kind of leaders
you're producin' here.
I don't know if Charlie's
silence here today...
is right or wrong;
I'm not a judge or jury.
But I can tell you this:
he won't sell
anybody out...
to buy his future !
And that, my friends,
is called integrity.
That's called courage.
Now that's the stuff
leaders should be made of.
Now I have come to
the crossroads in my life.
I always knew
what the right path was.
Without exception, I knew,
but I never took it.
You know why ?
It was too damn hard.
Now here's Charlie.
He's come to the crossroads.
He has chosen a path.
It's the right path.
It's a path
made of principle...
that leads to character.
Let him continue
on his journey.
You hold this boy's future
in your hands, Committee.
It's a valuable future,
believe me.
Don't destroy it.
Protect it.
Embrace it.
It's gonna make you proud
one day, I promise you.

Amazing truths. Words to listen to and remember for living and for others.

Choosing Attitudes....

...is very important for people. Our attitude will is the key to our success or failure.

I am just reading John C Maxwell's Four Pillar's of Leadership again. It is one of my favorite books on leadership and life. It is simple, poignant and really practical in its intent. Maxwell argues that the four main pillars of leadership are relationships, equipping, attitude and influence. Attitude is one I wish to focus on here. What attitude do we wake up with, bring to the office, interact with others with etc. etc. etc. Everyday we are in the frontlines of our life and everyday our life is a mixture of blessings and curses. How we face victory and defeat is a reflection of our attitude to life and what we bring to the table everyday. Being positive is powerful progenitor for success and happiness in life. Our attitude conditions our minds, our souls and our hearts. Our attitude conditions those around us. Our attitude is critical to our success as human beings, not only in the work place, but in life in general. Consider friendships: I myself do not want to hang around with naysayers. I do, but I don't want to. My mom always used to say: When you laugh, the world laughs with you but when you cry, you cry alone. It is true! People are naturally attracted to those who are positive about life, about the people around them, about the circumstances they find themselves in. This is not to say those with negative attitudes won't have social circles and friends: its just hard to believe they have much fun and joy in life. I believe life is here to be lived, to be enjoyed and to use as a tool for growth. Each morning when you wake up, check your attitude and at each moment of the day and check your attitude and when new and difficult circumstance present themsleves to you, check your attitude.

Choose your attitude, your responses, they way you react in life. Be bold, be brave and choose joy.....
PKS