Speaking to Inspire

Murray C. Watson, award-winning inspirational speaker, was born third into a farm family of seven near Havelock, Ontario. He is a retired teacher, one-time farmer, and long-time collector of notes and quotes. He spent early weeks of life in SickKids Hospital with digestive problems, which resurfaced in adulthood. Shyness, sleep apnea, and adult brain-memory damage (from drugs prescribed when in the psychiatric wing of a Toronto hospital in 1993 for depression) failed to cure him of his childhood dream – and greatest fear – to speak in public in front of groups of adults.

“My purpose,” Murray says, “in my speeches and books is to share smiles, wisdom and encouragement – to lift your life.

“Life seems to have a bounce-back. What I do for others (or don’t do), I do for myself. What I do for myself alone, I do for nobody. That little word ‘for’ can equally be replaced by ‘to.’ What I do to others – good or bad – I do to myself. Getting my eyes off myself and onto the needs of others was, for me, the key that opened the door out of the dark dungeon of depression. And keeps the door open.

“Here’s an acronym that helps me focus on what I try to say in my books and speeches. I hope it will also help you. It isn’t as simple as ABC, but it is as simple as CBA:
Clear the deck of guilt.
Begin now to enact your resolutions and decisions.
Act toward others as if you were the others.

“If you think I can help you, please contact me.”

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Who would have imagined in 2010 Murray would:

• give speeches in elementary schools on Ways to Reduce Fear in Public Speaking?
• give speeches to high school students on Depression and Suicide?
• give a speech to The Toronto Public Library – Down with Depression?
• write and publish Smiles, Wisdom and Encouragement and If Only Sleep Would Last Forever: Help for Depression and Anxiety?
• be interviewed by renowned professor of biochemistry Alicja Zobel?
• be runner-up in Toastmasters International speech contest in Area 43 held in Peterborough?

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Murray’s Favourite Quotation
(It’s by Anonymous, his favourite author):
Whatever be thy longing or thy need; – that do thou give;
So shall thy soul be fed, and thou indeed shalt truly live.

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Place	Title	Event Planner
Toronto Public Library (Annette St.)	Down with Depression	Pam Mountain, Head Librarian
St. Paul’s Elementary School, Norwood	Reducing Fear in Public Speaking	Mary Saunders, Teacher
Norwood District High School	Down with Depression	Brian Bradshaw, Head of Guidance

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Books by Murray C. Watson:

Advance Praise forIf Only Sleep Would Last Forever:

Murray, I want to compliment you…. I’ve been battling a medical problem, and have to go into hospital tomorrow, and I haven’t been able to put your book down.
Les Groves (Mr. Hardware), Speaker, Peterborough

Murray says, “This book is about my own experience, about an ancient remedy with no side-effects, a way up for the weighed down, opening your hand to others to open the door out for yourself.”

Advance Praise forSmiles, Wisdom and Encouragement:

I’d like a copy of this book…. Anything to help the Universe.
Alvin Pettle, M.D. FRCS (C) Author of Rx / My Prescription for Life

Murray says, “This is a collection of inspiration, smiles and spiritual wisdom from ancient to modern times, complemented by unique personal commentary from a present-day ‘philosopher’ who is also an inspirational speaker.”

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CD’s by Murray C. Watson

Click here to listen to some sample Speech Audio Clips
Speech Sample 1
Speech Sample 2
Speech Sample 3

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Inspiring Pick-Me-Up Place Mats

This set of 6 laminated mats, with their coloured nature scenes by photographer Bill Beekers of Hawkesury (formerly of Dunnville), Ontario, is a collection of smiles, wisdom and encouragement — to lift your life.

“We made the mistake of opening your package of mats just before supper…. And once we started reading, we couldn’t start eating until we’d finished all 12 sides! How inspiring!”
Jim Cosgrove, Guitar musician, Havelock

“We’ve been reading your mats at breakfast — and we’ve never had such a happy time in the morning in a long while.”
Jim Smith, former minister, Peterborough

“Dr. Peale and I both admired the Pick-Me-Up Place Mats…. I shall use them with pleasure.”
Ruth Stafford Peale, Guideposts, Pawling, New York

Set of 6 Pick-Me-Up place mats $6.00

A gift for all seasons — for the price of the laminating!