Inspirational speaker helps make the "connection"

  • Published
  • By Maranda Rimes
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (USAFENS) --  The inspirational speaker and primary contributing author to the "Chicken Soup for the Soul” series spoke here April 7 in support of Project Connect, one of 15 U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s combat and special interest programs.

Dan Clark’s message related to Project Connect, a U.S. Air Forces in Europe Special Interest Program focusing on mentorship, by encouraging servicemembers to make the most of themselves and have a positive effect on those around them.

“Have you ever noticed that if you put a healthy child in the same room with a sick child, you usually get two sick children?” Mr. Clark asked.

“The same thing happens with horses: If you put a wild horse in the same pen with a tame horse, all of the sudden the tame horse is now harder to catch. The same is true with people,” he continued. “In order to be great, you have to surround yourself with great people. What better opportunity to do this, than in the military?”

Project Connect encourages officers to mentor other officers, just as Mr. Clark said, “You never know when you can make a difference in someone’s life. Take the opportunity to learn from those around you whom you look up to.”

Inspirational speakers are beneficial to Project Connect to “give us new ‘tools’ for leadership and for life, and renew our energy and commitment,” said Capt. Natalie Russell, 100th Operations Support Squadron Intelligence Flight commander.

And it’s these tools that inspire you to be better, said Capt. Gerald “Jerry” Morris, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron, speech attendee.

“Who your friends are says a lot about who you will become,” he said. “People tend to gravitate to the lowest common denominator, so if you want to be a better person you need to associate with those people who bring out the best in you and in turn you should motivate them to be the best they can be.”

Dan Clark suffered an National Football League career-ending football injury that left him paralyzed for two years. He attributed his ability to get over the injury and disappointment to being surrounded by good friends.

Mr. Clark’s message seemed to fit in well with Project Connect’s goal of officers providing guidance to other officers.

“A former Chicago Bears football player named Brian Piccolo told me, ‘You can’t quit -- it’s a league rule,’ it helped me realize football was what I did for a living but not who I was as a person,” said Mr. Clark.

One question Mr. Clark continuously asked the audience throughout the speech was, “Why are you here?”

Mr. Clark answered the question himself by saying he was not there to tell people to change themselves, but to make the most of who they already are. He said a good goal to have is to affect people in a positive way so other people can feel like they like themselves best when they are with you.

“Inspirational speakers are important because they remind people to look at the big picture and positive aspects of life rather than dwelling on day-to-day affairs and negative things that happen in them,” said Captain Morris.

Assuming relevance is key, said Mr. Clark.

“You are somebody; you should value and take pride in that,” he said. “You matter. The difference between being good and great is the six inches between your ears.”