Speakers all over our country are addressing this holiday in May.  Moments of silence are observed in a myriad of locations from ball games, to churches, to personal family gatherings where the living come together and remember those who lived before us and those who died before us.  Speakers remind us of those for whom we have our very birthright to thank.  Keynote addresses acknowledge the broken hearts of families who received the broken bodies of their children from World War I, World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, Afghanistan and Iraq.  The words of speakers saluting this very poignant holiday serve like matches kindling the flames inside of our hearts.  Not one of us who lives and breathes and commemorates this holiday, is here without history…the history of those who left this world before us and left their mark in us and in our world.  One day each one of us will be hopefully, the remembered, the celebrated, the spoken about.

J is for just another inspirational keynote speaker?  Hardly, if you have ever had the opportunity to hear Jackie, you would know that J is for jubilant, as she strikes joy of recognition of life experiences in the hearts and minds of her audience.

A is for the audiences to whom Jackie reaches out.  Audiences are as diverse as: corporate leaders, social workers, teachers, garden clubs, wine enthusiasts, attendees at any annual meeting, neighborhoods…got the idea? The common denomnator across the audiences is that they are made up of people, fellow human beings, who thrive and strive to become more fully human.

C is for corporate: whether corporate leadership training, corporate team building training, Jackie is your person. Her background of 30 years in education in management and teaching positions and her background as the wine training coordinator at the Biltmore Estate combine to render her cutting edge in addressing corporate issues.

K is for keynote speaker. Jackie is as comfortable giving a keynote address to 500 or a thousand plus people as she is tailor making a seminar for a small group of people who want an intense and interactive experience.

I is for inspiring public speaker. Jackie reaches deeply into the souls of her listeners. It is through her examination and sharing of life experiences that takes the audiences from individuals toward the collective humanity we are who share this world.

E is for educational, enlightenment, earnestness, epiphany, all the experiences you will have when engaged with Jackie.

P you probably thought would be for professional, public speaker. And that she is. But, the capital P if for poignant, penetrating, pulsating with energy and poised to talk directly to you and your group.

Awhile ago I was in a shop in Asheville N.C. browsing the greeting card section. Before long my smirks became smiles. My chuckling turned into laughter. Tears ran down my face and I could not contain myself. I looked around to see a salesperson looking at me with a grin. Holding my ribs and keeping myself somewhat together I declared “What a great laugh!” It did not take but a moment for others to come see what the hilarity was all about. I walked away joyfully and light hearted. My discovery of reading funny greeting cards continues to this day. The great belly laughs are healing in and of themselves. As a motivational speaker I share my personal experiences with my audiences and one of the things I often say is that we do not laugh nearly enough. This little exercise is a must do! When was the last time you bent over in the throws of laughter? Remember how good it felt? Check out those hilarious cards! You’ll be glad you did!

Once the caterpillar changes into a butterfly, that’s it.

Once the egg is scrambled, it can’t be over easy.

Once the cucumber is made into a pickle, it will never again be a cuke.

Once the butter is on the popcorn, it can’t ever be just plain.

Once the apple is picked from the tree, it will never grow any more.

Once the lie is told, doubt will always follow.

Once the heart is broken, it may never mend.

Once the trust is lost, things will be forever changed.

As a motivational speaker I challenge people to look at and to  accept change. I know how important change is to continued success in the business world.  On a quiet sunny afternoon, listening to my fountain and enjoying my flowers,  I had the opportunity to look at change in another arena.