V03 Plagiarism?

Dear Celebrant Colleagues,

If I pinched you words … I’m sorry

If I borrowed you words … Thank you

If you nicked my words … I forgive you

If you borrowed my words … you’ve honoured me.

If you words have inspired me …then I am truly grateful

And should my words have been an inspiration to you … then I am truly flattered

I am pleased when a celebrant friend has asked me … how to? what to? when to? and may I?

I am thrilled for them if I’ve helped them get it together.

I respect their right to keep their skills to themselves, but respect them even more when they have said “here it is” “use it” I created it” but if you can use it too … be my guest.

I challenge anyone to prove that Moses, St Francis of Assisi,  Cromwell, George Washington, Winston Churchill, Roosevelt,  Charles De Gaulle, Shirley Chisholm, Mother Teresa,  Mandella, Elie Wiesel, Pope John Paul, Aemon de Valera, Barak Obama, or anyone else for that matter didn’t appropriate someone else’s thoughts, sentiments or words, and used their oratory skills to inspire others.

As a celebrant, ONE of my roles is to inspire others to think about the pledges, they are about to make, as they stand at a crossroad in their life.

Thank you to every single person who’s words or text I have “in good faith” used to enlighten those couples who stand before me.

“The great rule of Conduct” for me is;

If I’ve said it, I’ve written it, I’ve created it, or crafted it, if I’ve performed, I emailed it, or I did anything else with it … I expect it will be  repeated by someone else… and if  celebrant makes a buck out of it … good luck to them …
Because I’m  b****rd if I’m making much out of it!

Debra Steber
Tinonee via Taree NSW