Renowned international speaker talks to Krugersdorp’s prison inmates
“Anyone who judges you is doing so because they recognise something in you that they are trying to fix in themselves."
World-renowned author, researcher and educator, Dr John Fredrick Demartini, paid a visit to the Krugersdorp Correctional Services (prison) recently to talk to inmates about determination, self-worth and forgiveness.
“What you’ve been through is less important than what’s inside of you – and that’s what drives your determination to do something extraordinary. I am hoping that I have the chance here today to make a small contribution to your lives,” he said.
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The reason for his enthusiasm became clear once Demartini started sharing his story: his own life had been turned around by a chance encounter with a speaker, and he would be honoured to have the same impact on someone else.
Indeed, listening to the dynamic, compelling Demartini recount the story of his life, it was hard to remain unmoved.
It’s also hard to imagine that he battled through the first four years of his life, crippled by a birth deformity and a speech defect which made him the target of bullies. Although he was able to overcome some of his impediments, Demartini hit a seemingly immovable obstacle when he went to school.
“My teacher told my parents that I would never learn to read or write; that I would never be able to communicate and that I would never go anywhere or achieve anything,” he said.
Given this discouraging feedback, it’s not surprising that Demartini eventually gave up on his school studies and left his home in Texas to hitchhike first to California and, ultimately, Hawaii. After living in temporary shelters and abusing drugs, Demartini experienced a wake-up call when he fell victim to food-poisoning. Brought close to death, he promised himself that if he survived, he would do something extraordinary with his life.
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He couldn’t have imagined that he would find the opportunity to do so quite so soon, nor could he have guessed what form it would take. Demartini had spotted a poster advertising a motivational session, and although his negative experiences at school had left him wary of such situations, he decided to attend. “The teacher told us that it was possible to become master of our own destiny, but first you needed to decide what you want to do. From him, I learned that what I think about becomes my reality, what I say impacts my life, and how I feel makes a difference,” Demartini recalled. It was at this instant that he realised what could be achieved if he chose to focus on the flowers rather than the weeds. It was also at this time that he had a vision: he saw himself standing before a room full of people, delivering a speech.
Demartini decided to return to his family in Texas, and study for a high school equivalency qualification. Encouraged by his success in this area, he then applied for a college entrance exam – and surprised himself by passing.
But it was not all plain sailing from here: he failed his first college test, and felt, again, that he would never amount to much. At the same time, he wasn’t ready to give up on his dream of becoming a speaker. That determination has paid dividends: today, the boy who was told he would never learn how to write has penned over 100 books. He has delivered speeches to audiences in over 140 countries, and continues to inspire through his articles, podcasts, webinars, lectures and workshops.
He believes his own transformation stands as a lesson to the inmates of the Krugersdorp Prison.
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“The reason it is so important for me to be here is because I see myself in so many of you.” He reminded his audience that, just as he was able to change his life, they would be able to do the same.
“There is a magnificent being inside you. You simply need to give yourself permission to free it.”
Demartini urged prisoners to ignore anyone who told them differently. “Anyone who judges you is doing so because they recognise something in you that they are trying to fix in themselves. Don’t listen to them: you cannot let someone on the outside determine your reality. Only you can do that. Decide to be the master of your history rather than a victim of it. Fill yourself with great thoughts, and remember that every small step you take brings you closer to your goal. Don’t live in the shadow of anyone else, and don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You can only compare your own actions to your dream. Fill your days with the highest priority actions – the things that are most important to you – and you will come closer to doing something magnificent.”
Demartini said that he was living proof of what could be achieved if you never let go of your dream. “You will stumble and there will be setbacks – but you can never give up,” he stated.
Demartini’s talk was held almost 10 years after the last time he visited the prison, in 2009. At that time, he thanked the prisoners for giving him the opportunity to speak, as it allowed him to fulfill one of his greatest dreams.
He once again echoed this sentiment, noting that although he has had the good fortune to address audiences of thousands, including celebrities and royalty, the chance to speak at Krugersdorp Prison had profound meaning for him.
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