Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

I was in the car yesterday when I heard the Dalai Lama speaking to the California legislature.  At first I was doubtful that what he was saying would penetrate the minds of this political body.  But then he began connecting our well being and the planet's well being to education.  He had me at education.  His enclusiveness was profound and he was speaking not as a religious leader but as a compassionate being.  His formula sounded too simple:  love and compassion.  But it is true, and it is how I attempt to live my life.  He, however, is living it fully.  He speaks anywhere and everywhere, tirelessly, about healing and connectivity and respecting one another, the other life on our planet and the earth itself.  He is fully committed in a way we seldom see. 
Right speech is saying what you know to be true, and living those words in righteous actions that help others and harm none.  He is the embodiment of right speech.  There have been and are others, but yesterday I heard right speech in action, in the car, on the way to dropping off a birthday present to my granddaughter.  I'm lucky.