speech on meaning of life

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6 Speech Examples About Life

Life is a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of joy, sorrow, triumph, and growth.

It’s a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, where every experience shapes us into the individuals we are meant to become.

Speech Examples About Life

In moments of uncertainty or doubt, we often seek wisdom and inspiration from those who have navigated the path before us.

Through the power of speech, we can connect with others, share our stories, and ignite the spark of motivation within ourselves and those around us.

So sit back, relax, and let these heartfelt speeches about life guide you on your own extraordinary journey.

Speech 1: Embracing Change

Change is inevitable. It’s the one constant in this ever-evolving world we live in. Sometimes, change comes knocking on our door uninvited, catching us off guard and leaving us feeling unsettled. Other times, we actively seek change, driven by an insatiable desire for growth and transformation.

Regardless of how change enters our lives, it is up to us to decide how we will respond. Will we resist it, clinging desperately to the familiarity of the past? Or will we embrace it, recognizing that change is the catalyst for personal development and new opportunities?

The truth is, change can be frightening. It pushes us out of our comfort zones and forces us to confront the unknown. But it is in these moments of discomfort that we discover our true strength and resilience. By embracing change, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities and unlock our potential for greatness.

So when change comes knocking, don’t hide from it. Answer the call with courage and curiosity. Trust in your ability to adapt and grow. Embrace the journey, even when the path ahead is uncertain. For it is through change that we become the best versions of ourselves and create the lives we truly desire.

— END OF SPEECH —

Commentary: This inspirational speech encourages the audience to embrace change as a catalyst for personal growth and new opportunities. It acknowledges the fear and discomfort that often accompanies change but emphasizes the importance of facing it with courage and curiosity. This speech is suitable for audiences facing significant life transitions, such as graduations, career changes, or personal milestones.

Speech 2: The Power of Perseverance

Life is not always easy. There will be times when you feel like giving up, when the challenges before you seem insurmountable, and the road ahead appears endless. In these moments, it’s crucial to remember the power of perseverance.

Perseverance is the unwavering determination to keep moving forward, even in the face of adversity. It’s the inner strength that pushes you to take one more step, even when your legs are tired and your spirit is weary. It’s the voice inside your head that whispers, “Keep going,” when everything else is telling you to quit.

The journey to success is rarely a straight line. It’s filled with detours, obstacles, and setbacks. But it is through these challenges that we grow, learn, and become stronger. Every failure is an opportunity to learn, every setback is a chance to reassess and pivot, and every victory is a testament to your resilience and determination.

So when life gets tough, remember the power of perseverance. Embrace the challenges, learn from the setbacks, and keep pushing forward. Success is not about perfection; it’s about progress. And with perseverance as your guiding light, there is no limit to what you can achieve.

Commentary: This motivational speech highlights the importance of perseverance in the face of life’s challenges. It encourages the audience to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and to keep pushing forward, even when the road ahead seems daunting. This speech is suitable for audiences facing significant challenges or setbacks, such as students, entrepreneurs, or individuals pursuing personal goals.

Speech 3: Finding Your Purpose

In this vast and complex world, it’s easy to feel lost and uncertain about our place in it. We often find ourselves wandering through life, searching for meaning and purpose, wondering what our true calling might be.

But here’s the truth: your purpose is not some elusive, mystical concept that you must spend your entire life seeking. It’s not a hidden treasure that only a select few are lucky enough to find. Your purpose is something that already exists within you, waiting to be discovered and nurtured.

Your purpose is the unique combination of your passions, skills, and experiences. It’s the way in which you choose to make a positive impact on the world around you. It’s the legacy you leave behind through the lives you touch and the difference you make.

Finding your purpose is not always easy. It requires introspection, self-awareness, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. It may involve trying new things, taking risks, and facing your fears. But the journey of self-discovery is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences you will ever have.

So take the time to explore your interests and passions. Reflect on the moments in your life when you have felt most alive and inspired. Surround yourself with people who encourage and support your growth. And trust in the journey, knowing that every step you take is bringing you closer to your true purpose.

Remember, your purpose is not a destination to be reached but a lifelong journey of self-discovery and impact. Embrace it with open arms, and watch as your life unfolds in ways you never could have imagined.

Commentary: This introspective speech encourages the audience to embark on a journey of self-discovery to find their unique purpose in life. It emphasizes that one’s purpose is not an elusive concept but rather a combination of their passions, skills, and experiences. This speech is suitable for audiences seeking direction and meaning in their lives, such as recent graduates, individuals at a career crossroads, or those experiencing a mid-life crisis.

Speech 4: The Gift of Failure

Failure. It’s a word that strikes fear into the hearts of many, a concept that we’ve been taught to avoid at all costs. From a young age, we’re conditioned to believe that failure is a sign of weakness, a mark of inadequacy, and a reflection of our worth as individuals.

But what if I told you that failure is not something to be feared but rather a gift to be embraced? What if I said that failure is not the opposite of success but a necessary step on the path towards it?

You see, failure is not the end of the story. It’s a chapter in the book of your life, a plot twist that adds depth and dimension to your journey. Failure is a teacher, a mentor, and a guide. It shows you what doesn’t work so that you can discover what does. It reveals your weaknesses so that you can strengthen them and your strengths so that you can leverage them.

Failure is not a permanent state but a temporary setback. It’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and adapt. It’s a chance to reassess your goals, your strategies, and your priorities. It’s a reminder that success is not a destination but a journey, and that every obstacle you encounter along the way is an opportunity to become a better version of yourself.

So the next time you experience failure, don’t run from it. Embrace it. Learn from it. Grow from it. Use it as a stepping stone to propel you towards your dreams. Remember that every successful person you admire has failed countless times before achieving their goals. They didn’t let failure define them; they let it refine them.

In the end, failure is not something to be ashamed of but something to be proud of. It’s a badge of honor, a testament to your courage, resilience, and determination. It’s proof that you’re willing to take risks, to step outside of your comfort zone, and to pursue your passions with every fiber of your being.

So embrace the gift of failure. Let it shape you, mold you, and transform you into the person you were always meant to become. And know that every failure brings you one step closer to the success you so deeply desire.

Commentary: This thought-provoking speech challenges the common perception of failure as something to be avoided and instead presents it as a valuable learning experience and a necessary step on the path to success. It encourages the audience to embrace failure, learn from it, and use it as a tool for personal growth and development. This speech is suitable for audiences facing setbacks or disappointments, such as entrepreneurs, athletes, or individuals pursuing ambitious goals.

Speech 5: The Beauty of Vulnerability

In a world that often equates vulnerability with weakness, it’s easy to believe that we must always project an image of strength and perfection. We hide our flaws, mask our insecurities, and present a carefully curated version of ourselves to the world, afraid that revealing our true selves will lead to judgment, rejection, or ridicule.

But what if I told you that vulnerability is not a weakness but a strength? What if I said that by embracing our vulnerabilities, we open ourselves up to deeper connections, greater empathy, and more meaningful relationships?

You see, vulnerability is the courage to be ourselves, fully and authentically, without fear of judgment or rejection. It’s the willingness to share our stories, our struggles, and our successes with others, knowing that in doing so, we create space for them to do the same. It’s the recognition that we are all imperfect beings, navigating this complex and sometimes messy journey of life together.

When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we create a bridge of understanding and compassion between ourselves and others. We invite them to see us as we truly are, flaws and all, and in doing so, we give them permission to do the same. We foster a sense of belonging, a feeling of being seen, heard, and valued for who we are, not just for what we achieve.

Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a mark of courage. It takes immense strength to be open and honest about our fears, our doubts, and our insecurities. It requires a willingness to step outside of our comfort zones and risk being hurt or rejected. But in doing so, we create the opportunity for growth, healing, and transformation.

So embrace your vulnerability. Share your stories, your struggles, and your triumphs with others. Be open and honest about who you are and what you’re going through. Know that in doing so, you are not only helping yourself but also inspiring others to do the same.

Remember, vulnerability is not a weakness but a strength. It’s the key to unlocking deeper connections, greater empathy, and more meaningful relationships. It’s the path to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Commentary: This powerful speech challenges the notion that vulnerability is a weakness and instead presents it as a strength and a path to deeper connections and personal growth. It encourages the audience to embrace their vulnerabilities, share their stories, and foster a sense of belonging and understanding with others. This speech is suitable for audiences seeking to build more authentic relationships, overcome fears of judgment or rejection, or cultivate greater self-acceptance and empathy.

Speech 6: The Power of Gratitude

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of more – more success, more wealth, more recognition, more achievements. We often focus so intently on what we lack that we forget to appreciate all that we already have.

But what if I told you that the key to a happier, more fulfilling life lies not in the constant pursuit of more but in the simple practice of gratitude? What if I said that by cultivating a deep sense of appreciation for the blessings in your life, you can transform your outlook, your relationships, and your overall well-being?

Gratitude is the act of acknowledging and appreciating the good things in your life, no matter how big or small they may seem. It’s the practice of focusing on what you have rather than what you lack, of counting your blessings rather than your burdens.

When you make gratitude a daily habit, you begin to shift your perspective from one of scarcity to one of abundance. You start to notice the little things that bring joy and meaning to your life – a beautiful sunset, a warm hug from a loved one, a kind word from a stranger. You become more present in the moment, more attuned to the beauty and wonder that surrounds you.

Gratitude also has the power to transform your relationships with others. When you express appreciation and thanks to the people in your life, you strengthen your connections and foster a sense of positivity and goodwill. You create a ripple effect of kindness and compassion that extends far beyond your immediate circle.

But gratitude is not just about feeling good in the moment. It’s also a powerful tool for resilience and growth. When you face challenges or setbacks, gratitude can help you maintain a sense of perspective and hope. It can remind you of the strengths and resources you have to draw upon, the people who support and believe in you, and the lessons and opportunities that lie ahead.

So make gratitude a daily practice. Take a few moments each day to reflect on the things you’re thankful for, no matter how small they may seem. Express your appreciation to others through words and actions. Cultivate a mindset of abundance and positivity, even in the face of adversity.

Remember, gratitude is not just a feeling but a choice. It’s a powerful tool for transforming your life and the lives of those around you. By embracing gratitude, you open yourself up to greater joy, connection, and fulfillment. You become a force for good in the world, spreading light and positivity wherever you go.

Commentary: This uplifting speech highlights the transformative power of gratitude in fostering happiness, strengthening relationships, and building resilience. It encourages the audience to make gratitude a daily practice, focusing on the blessings in their lives and expressing appreciation to others. This speech is suitable for a wide range of audiences, from corporate teams seeking to boost morale and positivity to individuals looking to cultivate a more fulfilling and joyful life.

Life is a tapestry woven with threads of joy, sorrow, growth, and change.

These six speech examples about life offer a glimpse into the many facets of the human experience – from embracing change and persevering through challenges to finding purpose, learning from failure, embracing vulnerability, and cultivating gratitude.

As you navigate your own journey through life, may these speeches serve as a source of inspiration, comfort, and guidance.

Remember that you are not alone in your struggles and that every challenge you face is an opportunity for growth and transformation.

So embrace the journey, trust in the process, and know that with courage, resilience, and a grateful heart, there is no limit to what you can achieve.

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Albert Einstein’s Surprising Thoughts on the Meaning of Life

Albert Einstein was one of the world’s most brilliant thinkers, influencing scientific thought immeasurably. He was also not shy about sharing his wisdom about other topics , writing essays, articles, letters, giving interviews and speeches. His everyday-life opinions on social and intellectual issues that do not come from the world of physics give an insight into the spiritual and moral vision of the scientist , offering much to take to heart.

The collection of essays and ideas  “The World As I See It” gathers Einstein’s thoughts from before 1935, when he was as the preface says “at the height of his scientific powers but not yet known as the sage of the atomic age”. 

In the book, Einstein comes back to the question of the purpose of life, and what a meaningful life is, on several occasions. In one passage, he links it to a sense of religiosity.

“What is the meaning of human life, or, for that matter, of the life of any creature? To know an answer to this question means to be religious. You ask: Does it many any sense, then, to pose this question? I answer: The man who regards his own life and that of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unhappy but hardly fit for life,” wrote Einstein.

Did Einstein himself hold religious beliefs ? Raised by secular Jewish parents, he had complex and evolving spiritual thoughts. He generally seemed to be open to the possibility of the scientific impulse and religious thoughts coexisting in people’s lives .

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind,” said Einstein in his 1954 essay on science and religion.

Some (including the scientist himself) have called Einstein’s spiritual views  pantheism , largely influenced by the philosophy of Baruch Spinoza . Pantheists see God as existing but abstract, equating all of reality with divinity. They also reject a specific personal God or a god that is somehow endowed with human attributes.

Himself a famous atheist, Richard Dawkins calls Einstein’s pantheism a “sexed-up atheism,” but other scholars point to the fact that Einstein did seem to believe in a supernatural intelligence that’s beyond the physical world. He referred to it in his writings as “a superior spirit,” “a superior mind” and a “spirit vastly superior to men”. Einstein was possibly a deist , although he was quite familiar with various religious teachings, including a strong  knowledge of Jewish religious texts . 

In another passage from 1934, Einstein talks about the value of a human being, reflecting a Buddhist-like approach:

“The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self”.

This theme of liberating the self to glimpse life’s true meaning is also echoed by Einstein later on, in a 1950 letter to console a grieving father Robert S. Marcus:

“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us “Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest—a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. The striving to free oneself from this delusion is the one issue of true religion. Not to nourish it but to try to overcome it is the way to reach the attainable measure of peace of mind.”

In case you are wondering whether Einstein saw value in material pursuits, here’s him talking about accumulating wealth in 1934, as part of the “The World As I See It”: 

“I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help humanity forward, even in the hands of the most devoted worker in this cause. The example of great and pure characters is the only thing that can lead us to noble thoughts and deeds. Money only appeals to selfishness and irresistibly invites abuse. Can anyone imagine Moses, Jesus or Gandhi armed with the money-bags of Carnegie?”

In discussing the ultimate question of life’s real meaning , the famous physicist  gives us plenty to think about when it comes to the human condition .

Can philosophy lead us to a good life ? Here, Columbia Professor Philip Kitcher explains how great minds—like Plato , Aristotle , Socrates , Confucius, Mencius, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche , Albert Camus , and Jean-Paul Sartre—can help us find meaning and wellbeing in human existence—even if there is no “ better place “.

Related reading: Sapiens: Can Humans Overcome Suffering and Find True Happiness?

Related reading: A Growing Number of Scholars Are Questioning the Historical Existence of Jesus Christ

18 Short Speeches About Life

At first, I set out to craft a speech about life . But as I delved deeper into the topic, I realized that summing up the vast tapestry of life in a single speech is a tall order. Life is not just one color or a single note; it’s a vibrant spectrum, a rainbow of experiences, moments, highs, lows, lessons, and memories. Each hue represents a different chapter, emotion, or milestone that contributes to our unique stories.

I also recognize that high school students might come across these words. I fondly recall my own school days when teachers would challenge us to pen down our thoughts on life. Such assignments, seemingly simple on the surface, often pushed us to self-reflection and growth.

With these memories and audiences in mind, I present to you not just one, but multiple speeches on life. Through these, I aim to touch upon the myriad facets of our existence, hoping that each reader, regardless of their age or journey, finds a sliver of resonance, a hint of inspiration, or a moment of reflection.

Speeches About Life

Speeches about life resonate with all of us because life, in its vastness and complexity, is the shared journey we all navigate. It’s filled with rainbows of experiences, highs and lows, and tales of courage, fear, triumphs, and setbacks.

Through these speeches, we get a window into the varied perspectives, learnings, and stories of others. They offer a mirror to our own experiences, sometimes teaching us, sometimes validating our feelings, and often inspiring us to see our path in a new light.

Moreover, life speeches bridge the gap between generations.

From a teenager in high school to a professional in their prime, everyone can find a piece of wisdom or an echo of their own story in these words.

By discussing life, we unite in our shared human experience, finding solace in the thought that we’re not alone in our struggles or joys. This universality, this binding thread, is what makes speeches about life timeless and impactful.

I have delivered these speeches in Toastmasters . I share these speeches when I teach about life and leadership. I have written them in the hope that you too will be inspired to write your speech about life and be an inspiration to others.

Tasks Masters and Big Thinkers

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The CEO Speaker Bootcamp: Craft Impactful Executive Speeches

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Speech on Importance Of Life

Life is precious, isn’t it? It’s a unique gift filled with countless experiences, emotions, and opportunities.

Understanding the importance of life helps you value every moment. It encourages you to live fully, love deeply, and leave a lasting impact.

1-minute Speech on Importance Of Life

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,

Life is like a beautiful song. Every beat, every note, and every rhythm has its own meaning. Life, like a song, is precious and unique to each of us.

Let’s think about a seed. A tiny, insignificant thing. But give it time, water, and sunlight, and it can grow into a mighty tree. Life is just like that seed. It can start small, but with love, time, and the right conditions, it can grow into something beautiful.

Now, imagine a day. It starts with the sunrise, goes through the heat of noon, and ends with the cool of the night. Life is like that day. There are times of joy, like the morning sun. There are moments of struggle, like the noon heat. And there are times of rest and peace, like the cool night. Each part of the day, like each part of life, is important.

In conclusion, life is precious, like a song, full of growth like a seed, diverse like a day, and colorful like a rainbow. It’s a gift that we should cherish, and make the most of, every single day.

So, let’s celebrate life, let’s respect it, and let’s make it worthwhile. Because life, in all its shapes and forms, matters. Thank you.

2-minute Speech on Importance Of Life

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Think about the sunrise you woke up to this morning. The first light of the day that fills your room, the fresh air that fills your lungs, the sound of your loved ones that fills your heart. Isn’t it all beautiful? That’s life, my dear friends. It is a gift that each one of us should cherish.

Life, in its simplest form, is a journey. It is a road filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, joys and sorrows. It is like a book that is yet to be read, each day a new page, each moment a new word. We are the authors of our own book. We decide how we write it, how we live it. This power, this control, makes our life important.

Now, let’s talk about our relationships. Our family, friends, and even the strangers we meet on our journey add colors to our life. They teach us love, kindness, and compassion. They help us grow, learn and discover who we are. These bonds make our life richer and more meaningful.

Next, let’s focus on challenges. Yes, life is not always easy. It tests us, breaks us, but in the end, it makes us stronger. Every challenge is a lesson, every failure a stepping stone to success. So, embrace these challenges. They are what makes life exciting and worth living.

We also have speeches on more interesting topics that you may want to explore.

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Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ.

Ask Pastor John

What is the meaning of life.

John Piper Twitter @JohnPiper

The miracles and miseries of faith, jars of clay, was paul found faithful or made faithful, faith trusts the god who rewards, how to find the meaning of a bible verse, god is not ashamed of his people.

Founder & Teacher, desiringGod.org

Audio Transcript

We field some huge questions on the podcast, like this one from a woman named Abijah, who is going through a lot. “Dear Pastor John, hello! So, I have been dealing with much in life, which has been really hard for the past three years. Normally I could face life’s challenges with the assurance that God was in control and that I could trust him. But beginning in 2018, I started to get really depressed about the whole meaning of life and my own purpose. It was in the midst of my challenges that I lost someone I really loved, and it broke me like nothing ever has. My entire view of God and life has been shattered. I can’t seem to get myself out of wondering why life is even a thing. Life, at least my life, often feels like it has no meaning. Can you renew my vision for life? Can you explain to me: What is the meaning of life?”

Abijah, I hear three distinct and interrelated sorrows that have brought you to this place of doubt about the meaning of your life. I hear depression; I hear loss; I hear a kind of fixation in your mind. You say, “I can’t seem to get myself out of wondering why life is even a thing.” In other words, the tape keeps playing over and over in your mind: Is life really significant at all? Or is it just a meaningless jumble coming from nowhere, going nowhere, with nothing in between but randomness?

I take your question, your plea, very seriously. I have tasted a little bit of what you’re talking about, and I know others who have tasted all of what you’re talking about. I have seen myself come through, I have seen others come through, and I believe you can come through. You can come out into the light of confidence in God, confidence in Christ, confidence in the certain purpose that God has for this world — the wise, good, just, holy purpose that God has for this world and your place in it.

Satan’s Strategies

Even in the words that you use, Abijah, you put your finger on the meaning of life. You say you are depressed about the whole meaning of your life and your own purpose. And I think that’s right; I think you’re absolutely right that meaning consists in purpose — a good purpose, a wise, just, satisfying purpose or design for you or for the world. So, the whole question is, Does the world, with all of its beauty and ugliness, gladness and groaning, love and hate, pleasure and pain, nobility and vulgarity, kindness and abuse, selfishness and sacrifice — does such a world as ours have a wise, good, just, satisfying purpose under the providence of an all-wise, all-powerful God?

Or was the atheist Bertrand Russell right at the end of his life when he said, “There is darkness without, and when I die there will be darkness within. There is no splendor, no vastness anywhere; only triviality for a moment, and then nothing”? Are the words of Macbeth in Shakespeare’s play, when he hears about his wife’s death — are those words true? Are they a reflection of reality?

Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.

“The meaning of life is to know God, and to enjoy God, and to reflect some of the beauty of God as we know him in Christ.”

Abijah, I think one of the common strategies of Satan, whom you know is a thief and a murderer — he steals truth from the mind; he kills the soul — one of his common strategies is to fixate our mind on such possibilities: Life is a tale told by an idiot, isn’t it? Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Satan doesn’t even care if you believe that; he just wants you to be fixated on it — to think about it all the time and wonder if it might be true. He wants to steal from you and me every vestige of confidence that God is wise and good and just and holy, and that God is working everything together for a great purpose.

Know and Enjoy God

So, my purpose right now in this Ask Pastor John is to pray for you: that you would have power to resist the devil and that I could put a sword, the sword of the Spirit, in your hand, so that you could do battle valiantly and triumphantly against the darkness. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. When he wrote his book, God knew that you would go through this. God knew about your depression. He knew about your loss. He knew about the fixation of doubt in your mind. And he wrote about these things over and over again in his word to help you and all of us.

The meaning of life, according to that word, God’s word, is to know God as he really is; and to enjoy him and all that he is for us in Christ; and to reflect in this dark world some of the light that he has shown to us when Christ, the very Son of God, died in our place, precisely that we might know God and enjoy God in spite of our sin; and then one day to see him and know him perfectly unendingly. Let me say it again. The meaning of life is to know God, and to enjoy God, and to reflect some of the beauty of God as we know him in Christ, and one day to see him perfectly and unendingly enjoy him.

The meaning of life now, the purpose of life in this age, is not comfort in this world now, nor escape from suffering now, nor the avoidance of loss now, nor the maximizing of physical pleasures now, nor the amassing of riches now, nor the achievement of any fame now, nor the right to any health now, nor that we would be treated with respect and justice now. Those are not the meaning of life in this age for God’s people.

Once sin entered the world and everything was corrupted, and once God’s saving purposes began to rescue people from sin, the glorious and beautiful purposes of this creation were thrust forward into the time when Christ would come again and set everything right: a time of perfect righteousness, a time of perfect peace, a new creation with no crying or pain anymore, so that over and over again in the Scriptures we are told to rejoice in hope — like Romans 5:2: “Rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Refiner’s Fire

This present world is primarily a season of testing and a refiner’s fire. If this world is all there is, then life is surely meaningless. The Bible says, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die,” if there’s no resurrection from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:32). So, the apostle Paul said, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). And again, he said, “This light momentary affliction” — I’m thinking of your loss, Abijah, for example. “This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The apostle Peter put it most fully and clearly.

By God’s power [you] are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this [the coming, sure remedy for all ills; this salvation] you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:5–7)

“Jesus Christ suffered precisely to bring us through our fiery trials, refined and purified, into the very presence of God.”

Oh, Abijah, that’s your life, right? The words for various trials mean “all kinds of trials” — literally, “many colors of trials and tests.” What an amazing interpretation of this world and our place in it! The meaning of suffering in this life is the refinement of faith by the fires of various trials, that we might know God, love God, show God as more precious than everything that the fires consume. Jesus Christ suffered precisely to bring us through these fiery trials, refined and purified, into the very presence of God for our eternal joy (1 Peter 3:18).

New Perspective on the Puzzle

So I close, Abijah, with an illustration. When COVID-19 shut up my wife and me, someone gave us a puzzle with a thousand pieces. They thought we would need something to do. I spread it out on two card tables. And in the interludes between my work, I would just pause there and try to find a piece or two to put together. I began with the confidence that these thousand chaotic pieces piled in the middle of the table would one day be that beautiful picture on the box — from bedlam to beauty, from chaos to order. Yes, that’s going to come. I saw the picture on the box. It was a kind of promise.

But one day, I had the border almost entirely completed — that’s the way I started, with the border. It was almost entirely completed, everything fitting together, but it wouldn’t fit. There were just one or two pieces that wouldn’t fit. And I was sure a piece was missing. I looked all over the floor. Or maybe they made the puzzle wrong. It’s defective. I went through, time after time, systematically looking at all the pieces. I put them in rows so I could see. I became fixated on the thought: This puzzle is not going to work. This puzzle is defective.

Then my wife came over and she sat down, and she looked at all the edge pieces that I had put together. And she said, “I don’t think these two pieces go together that you have fastened here. They almost go together. But I don’t think they go together.” I looked at it and responded, “They’re perfect. They go together.” And she said, “No, I don’t think so.” She took my puzzle apart, and she uncoupled the pieces that I had spent hours finding. She rearranged the pieces, and she put them back together, and it fit perfectly. There was no lost piece. There was no defect. There was just fallible me.

So my prayer, Abijah, is that this Ask Pastor John would perhaps come to you the way my wife came to me and showed me, “Johnny, your fixation on the imperfection of this puzzle and that the makers blew it — that’s out of place. They really do fit. This is going to be a beautiful picture. Just keep at it. Trust the promise that’s on the box there. It’s true.” The sufferings of this life are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed.

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#1 most 'meaning full' website on earth, alan watts: on the meaning of life.

“The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.”

It’s pretty obvious I think that when we talk about life having or not having a meaning we’re not using quite the ordinary sense of the word meaning as the attribute of a sign. We’re not saying that we expect this natural universe to behave as if it were a collection of words signifying something other than themselves. It isn’t the point of view which we would reduce our lives in the world merely to the status of science and it’s obviously in some different sense than that, that Goethe wrote his famous lines at the end of Faust: all that is mortal or all that is perishable is but a symbol .

And so a symbol of what? What do we want to feel? What would satisfy us, as being this meaning behind this world?

It’s so often you know that we don’t follow our ideas and our desires through. Most of the things that we want very fervently are things that we’ve only half glimpsed. Our ideals are very often suggestions, hints, and we don’t know really exactly what we mean when we think about it. But there is this obscure sense in which we feel that life ought to have significance and be a symbol in at least that sense if not just so buried a symbol as a mere sign. Or it also may mean that life is meaningful; and individual feels that his life amounts to something when he belongs and fits in with the execution of some group enterprise. He feels he belongs in a plan. This too seems to give people a sense of great satisfaction.

But we have to pursue that question further — why is it that a plan, why is it that a fellowship with other people gives the sense of meaning? Does it come down perhaps to another sense of meaning that life is felt to be meaningful when one is fully satisfying one’s biological urges, including the sense of hunger, the sense of love, the sense of self-expression in activity and so on.

But then again we have to push that inquiry further. What do our biological urges really point towards? Are they just however things always projected towards a future? Its biology and its process is nothing but going on towards going on towards going on.

Or there is a fourth and more theological sense of the meaning of life. In all theistic religions at any rate the meaning of life is God himself. In other words all this world means a person. It means a heart. It means an intelligence. And the relationship of love between God and man is the meaning of the world. The sight of God is the glory of God, and so on.

But again here, there is something to be further pursued. What is it that we want in love with a person, and even a person in the sense of the Lord God? What is the content of it? What is it that we are really yearning after?

Well now if we go back to the first point, taking Goethe’s words that all that is transitory is but a symbol, and that we want to feel that all things have significance. It does seem to me that there is a sense in which we often use the word significance. Well, the word seems to be chosen quite naturally and yet at the same time it’s not quite the right word. We say for example often of music, that we feel it to be significant, when just at the same time we don’t mean that it expresses some particular kind of concretely realizable emotion and suddenly it’s not imitating the noises of nature. A program music, you know, which simply imitates something else, and it deliberately sets out to express sadness or joy or whatever, is not the kind of thing I mean. So often when one listens to the beautiful arabesque character of the Baroque composers Bach or Vivaldi, it is felt to be significant, not because it means something other than itself, but because it is so satisfying as it is, and we use then this word significance. So often in those moments when our impetuous seeking for fulfillment cools down and we give ourselves a little space to watch things as if they were worth watching. Ordinary things. And in those moments when our inner turmoil has really quietened, we find significance in things that we wouldn’t expect to find significant at all. I mean this is after all the art of those photographers who have such genius in turning the camera towards such things as peeling paint on an old door, or mud and sand and stones on a dirt road, and showing us there that if we look at it in a certain way those things are significant. But we can’t say significant of what so much as significant of themselves. Or perhaps the significance then is the quality of a state of mind in which we notice that we’re overlooking the significance of the world by our constant quest for it later.

All these languages of course quite naturally vague and imprecise, because I think the wrong word is used. And yet not entirely the wrong word because as I said it comes so naturally to us. It was Clive Bell the greatest statistician who wanted to say that all, the characteristic of art, especially the characteristic of aesthetic success in painting was the creation of significant form. Again a very vague imprecise expression. But it certainly is an attribute not only of those moments in which we are tranquil inside but also of moments of deep spiritual experience of what would be called Moksha, or Release in Hinduism or Satori in Zen. That in those moments the significance of the world seems to be the world, seems to be what is going on now, and we don’t look any further. The scheme of things seems to justify itself at every moment of its unfoldment.

I pointed out that this was particularly a characteristic of music. It’s also a characteristic of dancing. And in the sensation of belonging with one’s fellow men, in the carrying out of some significant pattern of life, which I mentioned as a second sense of the world being meaningful. Again the character of this feeling, is something that is fulfilled in itself. To dance is not to be going anywhere. When we dance in the ballroom we don’t have a destination, we’re just going around the room. And it’s in doing this, it’s in executing the pattern, in singing the music with other people, that even though this doesn’t point to anything outside itself we again get the sense of meaning.

And this is also obviously the case so often in the satisfaction of the biological urges: does one live to eat, or eat to live? I’m not at all sure about this. I’m sure I very often live to eat, because sitting around the table with people — I don’t like eating alone — and enjoying food is absolutely delightful. And we are not thinking when we do this, at least certainly I am not, that we have to eat because it’s good for us, and that we’ve got to throw something down the hatch as Henry Miller said, and swallow a dozen vitamins just because our system needs nourishment.

I remember there was an article in the consumer reports about bread. And there have been some correspondence and protests saying that the bread one bought, the white bread that one buys in the stores is perfectly inedible and lacking in nutrition and that it’s much better to eat peasant type bread. And the experts replied that our white bread is perfectly full of good nutrients and is nothing really the matter of it all. Well, I felt like saying it isn’t the matter perhaps of the bread being deficient in the essential vitamins. Bread isn’t medicine, it is food. One’s complaint against it is that it’s bad cookery, it tastes of nothing, and we do tend, don’t we, to look upon food so often for what it will do for us rather than the delight of eating it.

But if the satisfaction of biological urges is to mean anything, surely the point of these urges is not the fatuous one of mere survival of, we might say, the point of the individual is simply that he contributes to the welfare of the race. And that the point of the race is that it reproduces itself, to reproduce itself, to reproduce itself and keep going. Now that isn’t really a point at all, that’s just fatuous. Surely the race keeps going because going is great, because it’s fun. Because if it isn’t and never will be then there is no point obviously in going. I mean looking at it from the most hedonistic standpoint.

But then when we come to the question: what is fun? what is the joy of it? Again we come down to something that can’t very well be explained in the ordinary language of meaning, of leading to something else. And this I think becomes pre-eminently true if we think of it in theological language, that the meaning of life is God. In any theistic religions — What is God doing? What is the meaning of God? Why does he create the Universe? What is the content of the love of God for his creation? Well, there is the frank answer of the Hindus that the Godhead manifests the world because of Lila, which is the Sanskrit word for play. And this is likewise said in the Hebrew scriptures, or the Christian Old Testament. In the Book of Proverbs where there is a marvelous speech by the divine wisdom — Sophia, which in describing the function of the divine wisdom in the creation of the world, the world in other words as the manifestation of the wisdom of God. A wisdom uses the phrase: that in producing men and animals and all the creatures of the Earth, wisdom is playing, and it was the delight of wisdom to play before the presence of God. And when it is likewise said in the scriptures that the Lord God created the world for his pleasure. This again means in a sense for play. And certainly this seams to be what the angels in heaven are doing according to the traditional symbolic descriptions of heaven — they are as ringed around the presence of the Almighty calling out hallelujah , hallelujah , hallelujah , through all eternity. Hallelujah may have meant something originally but as it’s used now it doesn’t mean anything, except in our own slang it’s an exclamation of nonsensical delight. And it was Dante in Paradiso who described the song of the Angels as the laughter of the Universe.

And this sense of nonsense as the theme of the Divine activity comes out also very strongly in the Book of Job. I always think that the Book of Job is the most profound book in the whole Bible. Because here is the problem of man, the righteous man, who has suffered and all his friends try to rationalize it and say: well, you must have suffered because you really had a secret sin after all and deserve the punishment of God, or because… rationalize it somehow. And when they’ve had their say the Lord God appears on the scene and says: who is this the darkness counsel with words without knowledge? And then proceeds to ask Job and his friends a series of absolutely unanswerable conundrums, pointing out all the apparent irrationality and nonsense of His creation. Why, for example He said, do I send rain upon the desert where no man is?

Most commentators on the Book of Job end with the remark that this poses the problem of suffering in the problem of evil but doesn’t really answer it. Yet in the end himself Job seems to be satisfied. He somehow surrenders to the apparent unreasonableness of the Lord God. This is not I think because Job is beaten down, that he is unduly impressed the the Royal monarchical paternalistic authority of the deity and doesn’t dare to answer back. He realizes that somehow these very questions are the answer.

I think of all the commentators of the Book of Job, a person who came closest to this point was G.K. Chesterton. He once came to the glorious remark — but it is one thing to look with amazement at a Gorgon or a Griffin, a creature who doesn’t exist, but quite another thing to look at a hippopotamus, a creature who does exist and looks as if he doesn’t. In other words this strange world with its weird forms like hippopotamus and when you look at them from a certain point of view — stones and trees and water and clouds and stars — when you look at them from a certain point of view and don’t take them for granted they are as weird as any hippopotamus or any imagination of fabulous beasts of Gorgons and Griffins and things like that. They are just plain improbable. And it is in this sense I think that they are the hallelujah as it were the nonsense song.

Why do we love nonsense? Why do we love Lewis Carroll? Why is it that all those old English songs are full of babbling choruses? Why is it that when we get up with jazz we just go booty booty boopty boo and so on and enjoy ourselves singing it. It is this participation in the essential glorious nonsense that is at the heart of the world, that isn’t going anywhere, that it’s a dance.

But it seems that only in moments of unusual insight and illumination that we get the point of this, and find that thus the true meaning of life is no meaning , that its purpose is no purpose and that its sense is nonsense. Still we want to use about it the word significant. Significant nonsense? Yes, nonsense, that is not just chaos, that is not just blathering balderdash, but that has in it rhythm, fascinating complexity, a kind of artistry. It is in this kind of meaninglessness that we get the profoundest meaning.

(transcript from the 1960 lecture)

~Alan Wilson Watts was a British-American philosopher who interpreted and popularized Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Born in Chislehurst, England, he moved to the United States in 1938 and began Zen training in New York.

©Excellence Reporter 2019

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16 Most Life-Changing Motivational Speeches & What You’ll Gain from Them

It’s all very well reading about ways to get ahead in life, but no account will ever reach you in quite the same way as hearing someone speak about their own experiences. While these people may be household names now, it wasn’t always that way, and this collection of some of the best motivational speeches will move you and inspire you to make your own dreams come true.

From Arnold Schwarzenneger talking about how he filled every moment of every day with steps to fulfil his ambition of becoming Mr. Universe, to J.K. Rowling’s life as an impoverished single mother, these speeches will fill you with the drive and determination to reach your full potential, and not let anything stand in your way.

Some are long, and some last just a few minutes, but each one will make you want to grab life with both hands and go for what you want, whatever it is.

“Most people have done all that they’re ever going to do – they raise a family, they earn a living, and then they die.”

That’s what we’re supposed to do, right? Wrong! Life is made for greater things, and you are meant for greater things.

When Les Brown was a child, he was labeled ‘educable mentally retarded’, and until a chance encounter with another teacher, he believed that he would amount to nothing. But this one teacher planted the seeds in Les’ head which would blossom and grow, and eventually make him one of the best motivational speakers of all time.

This speech will give you permission to rise above other people’s opinions, to break free of their prejudices, and make a success of whatever you do. Watch ‘It’s Not Over Until You Win! Your Dream is Possible’ and take those first steps towards following your passion and making your dream come true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f0nIhDpXuU

“Stress doesn’t come from the facts, stress comes from the meaning that we give the facts.”

Life is about choices. Every day we’re faced with hundreds of choices, and this speech by Tony Robbins will help you see that it’s the choices, not the conditions, which shape our lives.

Take a moment during this speech to pause and reflect on some choices you have made in the past, and really think about the direction your life took because of them, both good and bad. Tony Robbins explains in his inimitable way that we have the choice to focus on what we want, and that when we focus, we can achieve whatever we want.

Part of Tony’s speech explains how, when the economy is down, some people thrive and some people crash and burn, and the COVID 19 pandemic is the perfect example. Small businesses took a huge hit, and while some of them threw up their hands in despair and said ‘that’s it, it’s over for us’, others adapted, and saw it as an opportunity to expand, diversify, and turn the situation to their advantage.

And that’s the cornerstone of this video – how we react, how we adapt, and how we choose is the difference between success and failure.

“So every rep that I do gets me closer to accomplishing the goal to make this goal – this vision – into reality.”

Be inspired by Arnold Schwarzenneger as he talks about his goal of becoming Mr. Universe. Never wasting a second of his day, Arnie worked in construction, spent 5 hours in the gym, and went to acting classes, all of which took him further along his journey to making his dream come true.

We all have a propensity to waste time, but if you have a goal, if you have a passion that smolders away, take a leaf out of Arnie’s book and make sure that everything you do propels you forward.

And don’t be afraid to fail.

“Your conviction and your convenience don’t live on the same block.”

If you are a fan of The Secret, you will be familiar with Lisa Nicholls. In this video, Lisa tells Tom Bilyeu how she was willing to leave everything and everyone behind in order to grow into the version of herself that she knew she wanted.

Lisa explains how, as a young mother, she was forced to wrap her baby in a towel for two days because she had no money for diapers, and how it was at that moment that she vowed never to be that broke or that broken again.

Change, success, drive…they’re all inconvenient and disruptive, and Lisa Nicholls demonstrates that wonderfully in this emotional and highly motivating interview in which she declares “your story is not meant to be your fortress, your story is meant to be your fuel.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toQmqLwNtho

Eric Thomas had a dream, a goal, and that goal was to be the best motivational speaker in the world. He didn’t achieve this by giving 70%, or 80%…he didn’t achieve it by staying in bed late in the mornings. He achieved it by giving 100% every minute of every day.

Listen to Eric’s words, hear the passion in his voice, and feel the lessons he is giving to you if you want to be the best at whatever you do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtuHZC-ObA8

“If we don’t take control of our environment, it takes control of us.”

This short piece by Tony Robbins has been designed to show you that you are in control of your own environment. Whether you realize it or not, what goes on around you has a massive influence on the way you feel and the way you act.

By taking leadership of your own life, you can defy outside influences and set your own tone for the day ahead, regardless of whatever or whoever is exerting pressure from the outside.

Follow Tony’s example of taking 10 minutes for yourself at the start of every day – for gratitude, prayer or wishes for family and friends, and a recap of what you want to accomplish that day, and your day will continue on that same path of thankfulness, hope, and goals.

“Your mind doesn’t know the difference between something you vividly imagined and something that’s real, literally!”

If you want to emulate the way successful people behave, take these 10 billionaires’ habits and adopt them yourself for 21 days.

Billed by Jim Kwik as being ‘like a magic pill’, these habits will rewire your brain into thinking and behaving like some of the world’s most successful people.

In this 8 minute clip, Jim shares how, for instance, your brain reacts the same way when you imagine your dog walking in as it does when your dog actually walks in, and this can apply to anything. What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

As much as this applies to positive things, it also can be applied to negative things, so if you imagine failure, that’s what you will get. Fill your mind with thoughts of success and that’s what will happen.

None of these habits are difficult to accomplish, but in doing so you will change your entire mindset into one of a hugely successful person, no matter what you want to achieve in life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fzGPwY40Cw

“Don’t leave crumbs.”

If this sounds more like a housekeeping hint and less like a motivational affirmation, you’re 50% right. Our lives do need housekeeping, and not leaving crumbs – i.e. regrets – which will come back and rob your tomorrow of joy, is one of the chores you need to do on a daily basis.

Matthew McConaughey delivers a powerful speech in a gentle way at the University of Houston Commencement Address.

Discussing the five rules he lives by, he will show you how to avoid falling into a trap of entitlement, and why ‘Unbelievable’ is the stupidest word in the dictionary.

With some invaluable life lessons contained inside a highly watchable speech, Matthew McConaughey is an unlikely but very inspiring speaker who has stayed humble despite all his successes.

“There are a lot of sharks in the world; if you hope to complete the swim, you will have to deal with them. So if you want to change the world, don’t back down from the sharks.”

Spoken with eloquence and quiet assuredness, this six-minute speech draws on US Navy Admiral William McRaven’s experience of survival in the Navy Seals.

He explains how making your bed, while seemingly insignificant and even pointless, will set a series of tasks in motion which will ensure that at best, the first job of the day is done, and at worst, you have a neat, tidy bed to fall into at the end of a trying day.

The world is full of people who want to bring you down (the sharks) but if you stand your ground, they will eventually swim away, leaving you to go on to bigger and better things.

“Sometimes life’s gonna hit you in the face with a brick…don’t lose faith.”

Steve Jobs, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Apple Inc. was hit in the face with more than one brick during his 56 years on earth. From being given up for adoption as a baby, to being fired from the very company which he founded, he never let anything get in his way.

In this commencement speech at Stamford University in 2005, Steve explained how his love for what he did spurred him on to rebuild his life in spectacular fashion.

Life dealt a further blow when, in 2003, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

This speech focuses on three stories which, when combined, show how life offers opportunities for change and growth, no matter how dire the circumstances.

Steve Jobs never graduated college, but when he died in 2011, aged just 56, he had a net worth of US$7 billion. He achieved this by doing what he loved, and in this speech he will inspire you to do the same.

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously than you might as well not have lived at all. In which case, you fail by default.”

Let J. K. Rowling inspire you with this 2008 commencement speech at Harvard University. Extolling the virtues of failure and imagination, she tells the graduates how being at rock bottom set her free to pursue her dreams of being an author.

As poor as it is possible to be without being homeless, she created the world of Harry Potter and went on to amass a fortune of £795 million, but that without her failures in life, she would never have had the opportunity to do so.

Let her words become your own mantra, and view every failure in your life as a future success.

“We shine, because baby you just can’t dim the sun.”

A beautiful antidote for anyone who has ever felt or been told that they are ‘too much’, Gina Hatzis’ winning Speaker Slam speech of 2018 will give you permission to be unashamedly you.

Although written by a woman for women, this powerful and sometimes humorous speech about being your own authentic self will inspire anyone – man or woman – to shine and never dim their own light to suit other people.

“The first step you need to take is just that…step.”

If you are in need of a short, sharp burst of motivation, listen to this speech by ex Navy Seal, Jocko Willink.

Running for less than three minutes, this recording will inspire you to take a step into whatever you want to achieve. Awarded both the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for service, Jocko Willink is no stranger to taking those brave steps, having come face to face with Iraqu insurgents in Ramadi. He will spur you on to put one metaphorical foot in front of the other, and will leave you in no doubt as to what you need to do to achieve your goals.

“On the other side of your maximum fear are all of the best things in life.”

If you like your motivation with a side order of laughter, watch Will Smith as he talks about fear. Agreeing to skydive on a night out with friends, Will realizes that he actually has to go through with it.

Discussing how fear ruins things (he couldn’t sleep or eat before the jump), Will also discloses that beyond fear was the most blissful experience of his life, and how that principle can be applied to anything in life.

“Only those that can see the invisible, can do the impossible.”

Tyrese Gibson knows success, and in this speech he talks about how it can be achieved, by anyone who wants it.

Actor, singer, author, model…Tyrese seems to have the Midas touch, but he didn’t get it by luck. Follow his words as he gently but passionately guides you along the path you need to take if you have goals and dreams in life.

“I refuse to be another man who lived and died, and wasn’t significant’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzl3CQXMRVo

“If it is written, so shall it be.”

When Steve Harvey’s teacher crushed his dreams of being on TV, the one person who believed in him was his father. He told him to put a piece of paper with his dreams on in his drawer, and to read it every morning and every night.

His dreams came true.

It didn’t always come easy for Steve Harvey though – he spent years living in his car when he had nowhere else to go, but the one thing he never lost was his ambition and determination to see his dreams through to fruition.

A firm believer in the Law of Attraction, Steve still has vision boards and still commits his dreams to writing, and encourages you to do the same in this speech that made Obama cry.

These motivational speeches, and many more like them, show how having guts, determination, and a vision will get you anywhere you want to go, no matter your beginnings in life. These inspirational speakers have suffered loss, sickness, and unbelievable hardships, but the one thing that got them through was their desire to win and their belief that they could.

Immerse yourself in their words of wisdom, and take that next step into your best life.

More on Motivation

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• 10 Monday Morning Habits for a Successful Week
• Motivational Quotes

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12 Inspirational Speeches That Teach You the Most Valuable Life Lessons

The most valuable thing an experienced person has is their experience. People make mistakes, learn from them, and adapt their life around them to become better people. Those people would then tell tales to others to help teach those lessons so that others would not have to make the same mistakes.

People still tell these stories today but in a slightly different format — they use speeches to express their experiences. Here are some valuable life lessons you can learn from some of the greatest inspirational speeches:

1. JK Rowling teaches us to not fear failure no matter how bad things become

It is a well-known fact that JK Rowling’s now-famous Harry Potter series was turned down by several publishers before it was finally picked up. Those publishers are likely kicking themselves in the pants right now. However, before that, JK Rowling was in a fairly dire situation and was on the brink of failure. Despite being turned down time and time again, she kept trying. Her efforts paid off. Harry Potter is now a ubiquitous character in today’s world culture. Despite failing over and over again, Rowling kept trying and fulfilled her dreams. You can watch her deliver some valuable life lessons in her Harvard commencement speech video above.

2. Steve Jobs teaches us to never settle

Steve Jobs had a fairly tumultuous life. He co-founded Apple, was kicked out of the company, came back, and then re-defined the mobile phone space with the iPhone. Even if iPhones aren’t the rage they once were, its iconic value is forever written in stone. One thing Jobs never did was settle. He lived life on his own terms and was rewarded for it by being dubbed one of the most revolutionary voices in technology of our time. In the Stanford commencement speech above, Jobs explains how you should never settle for what someone else wants out of your life. It’s your life and you should do what you want with it.

3. Admiral William H McRaven teaches us to make our beds every day

Anyone who has gone through the basic training of a military service will tell you it’s pretty difficult. However, every seemingly obnoxious step is actually a life lesson in disguise. This even applies to flawlessly making one’s bed every single morning. As Admiral William H McRaven teaches us, recruits are taught to make their beds every morning to remind them that even the little things in life matter. After all, how can you be expected to handle the biggest obstacles in your life if you can’t even handle the small and the mundane like making your bed every day? You can watch the entire speech in the video above.

4. Author David Foster Wallace teaches us that we’re a part of a greater existence

David Foster Wallace found fame in 1987 with his book The Broom of the System . Nearly 20 years later in 2005 he game a commencement speech at Kenyon College that is worth listening to at least once. In his speech, he reminds us that was are but a part of a huge, dynamic, ever changing interaction of life forms. In order to truly experience life, we need to leave our personal bubbles and interact with others even if it’s in an unpleasant way. Wallace states, “It will actually be within your power to experience a crowded, hot, slow, consumer-hell type situation as not only meaningful, but sacred, on fire with the same force that made the stars: love, fellowship, the mystical oneness of all things deep down.” You can watch the whole speech above.

5. Stephen Colbert teaches us that life isn’t something you can plan

If there is anyone who knows about improvisation, it’s comedian Stephen Colbert. In his commencement speech at Northwestern University in 2011, Colbert reminded students that you cannot plan life. Life throws too many curve balls. There are too many unpredictable things that can happen. The most successful and happy people are not those who have a plan, but those who can roll with the punches and overcome the obstacles. He goes on to site his time as an improv comic and how all of the actors working together to create a scene out of literally nothing are all working for one another. He states that like improv comedy, you don’t know what happens next in life. You just make it up as you go along. You can watch the whole speech above.

6. Kurt Vonnegut teaches us to not sweat the small stuff

Some of our younger readers may not know Kurt Vonnegut. He is a famous author that found of of his success during the middle of last century. In 1999, Kurt Vonnegut was at Agnes Scott College giving a commencement speech. During the speech, he mentioned that in order to live a more complete life, people needed to let stuff go. He argued that you cannot reasonably expect others to forgive you for your mistakes if you cannot forgive others and that you cannot live life fostering a personal vendetta against others.

7. Neil Gaiman teaches us that success can be distracting.

Neil Gaiman is most known for his work in a number of literary mediums including journalism, comic books, and novels. In 2012, Gaiman gave a speech at the University of the Arts where he talked about success. He stated that when you become successful, you may be unintentionally swayed from performing the actions that made you successful. Gaiman recalled his early success and how he felt pressured to answer emails all day long and it actually prevented him from writing as much as he wanted. So he reminds us to keep doing what makes us successful and to not let others get in the way.

8. Barack Obama’s life lessons teaches us that you really can beat the odds

We know that not everyone likes Barack Obama but that doesn’t mean the man can’t deliver an amazing speech. In this 2004 keynote speech at the Democratic National Convenction, Obama reminds that it is possible to beat the odds and become something great. He cites his own upbringing as an example and how he was never expected to make it as far as he did. It shows that when you’re passionate about something and when you try hard enough, you can accomplish almost anything. It’s important to note that Obama talks about this in 2004 and would become the President of the United States just four years later.

9. Robin Roberts reminds us that we each have the courage to overcome challenges

Robin Roberts knows a thing or two about courage. She is a breast cancer survivor and has done battle with a rare blood disease called myelodysplastic syndrome. Her sister once had to donate bone marrow just so Robin could remain alive. She was also ESPN’s first African American broadcaster in the early 1990’s. She’s a woman who works in an industry predominately populated by men. So when Robin Roberts takes the stage at the ESPYs and delivers a short lecture on having courage, we would do well to listen!

10. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us that some things are more important than success

We all know the story of Martin Luther King Jr. So much so that we have a day of the year to celebrate him as a national holiday here in the United States. Most of us have listening to segments of his famous speech where he told the world about a dream he had. The main message of his famous speech is that racial inequalities needed to end and he was absolutely right. However, he also reminds us that there are things that are more important than success such as equal rights and treating each other with respect and kindness. If you somehow made it through school without watching the famous speech, we’ve got it linked above.

11. Jim Carrey reminds us that even if you keep it safe, you can still fail so you might as well go big

Jim Carrey delivered a commencement speech at Maharishi University recently that went absolutely viral. You may know it as the one minute video that will change your life. They weren’t lying but they weren’t telling the whole truth because the speech was actually 28 minutes long. During the speech, Carrey talks about his father who wanted to be a comedian but decided to take the safe route and become an accountant. As it turns out, his father was laid off and his family ended up poor anyway. With that, Carrey tells us that you can still end up failing even if you play it safe so you might as well swing for the fences and do what you want to do.

12. Bill Murray teaches us that it’s the hard times that determine if someone really loves you

You may have heard the story about Bill Murray crashing someone’s bachelor party and delivering a speech. It turns out the speech was both short and fairly epic. During the speech, Bill Murray challenged the bachelors to travel around the world with the women they love and go to places that are difficult to go to and deal with. He says if you can get back to the United States and you still love each other, then you should get married right then and there. It’s a great message. It’s easy to love one another when times are good but do you still love each other when the times are bad? If so, that’s true love according to Bill Murray.

Final thoughts

Inspiration comes from everywhere and from anyone. There are a countless number of speeches and stories that can teach us an incalculable number of life lessons.

All these speeches almost share the same message: Don’t be afraid to fail and keep trying.

If you also want to live your best life like the above successful people, this is what you should start doing:

You’ll Only Live Your Best Life Once You Step Out

At the end of the day, everything is inspirational. It’s just a matter of finding the message that we need to hear to change our lives.

Featured photo credit: Miguel Henriques via unsplash.com

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Speech on Life | Life Speech for Students and Children in English

February 8, 2024 by Prasanna

Speech on Life:  Everybody living on this earth is leading his Life, but if we talk about humans, then their life is not a bed of roses, it has problems and struggles. But Life has some appealing aspects also, which gives one a ray of hope and positivity. We have people, family, relatives, and friends who make our life special, worth living and make us feel about the specialty of our Life. Life is a trademark that symbolizes physical elements that have natural procedures, such as flagging and self-continuing procedures, from those that don’t, either because such capacities have stopped or because they never had such capabilities and are delegated lifeless.

Students can also find more  English Speech Writing  about Welcome Speeches, Farewell Speeches, etc.

Long and Short Speeches on Life for Students and Kids in English

We are providing a long Life Speech of 500 words and a short speech of 150 words along with ten lines about the Life Speech to help readers.

These speeches will be useful for school going students as well as college students. They can refer to this anytime to boost their academic performance.

Long Speech on Life 500 Words in English

Long Speech on Life is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Good morning to everyone.

I am here before all of you to share my musings through my discourse about Life. Life is a continuous nonstop procedure that needs to end sometime in the not so distant future. Life is tied in with loving yourself, making yourself. A statement for better description can be that Life can be just seen in reverse, yet it must be lived advances. Life itself is a brilliant chance to carry on with significant Life and bolster others to do as such. It doesn’t make a difference in how long you live. In any case, it is crucial how well you carry on with a quality life.

The dread of death consistently compromises our lives. Each individual needs to confront passing at some point or another. However, that doesn’t imply that it ought to demoralize us from making every moment count or accomplishing our objectives. An individual is insightful when he/she is prepared to meet predetermination when it comes, yet until that time, he appreciates all of it. It is a feeling of status. It is an excursion in everybody’s Life wherein we need to cross the extension of death to have the option to wake up to an actual existence endless. Human Life is genuinely an exceptionally valuable blessing. Every snapshot of human Life conveys us a chance to act to create and communicate. Each second opens the way for us to get gifts. The reality is that Life gives us both positive and negative circumstances. What is extremely significant is how we respond to it.

Life is the endowment of God as a trust that we will make it significant in whatever we can. Nobody is brought into the world like you, and nobody will ever be, so esteem your independence. Commonly, I run over individuals blaming God for things that they don’t have. They are continually reviling their lives. In any case, do they understand that getting this Life itself is valuable if we make it worth living and buckle down towards energy? Life is only an excursion with exercises, difficulties, grief, and uncommon minutes. It will, at last, lead us to our goal, our motivation throughout everyday Life. The street won’t generally be a plane; indeed, all through our movements, we will confront numerous difficulties.

These difficulties will consistently test our mental fortitude, qualities, shortcomings, and confidence. Along our way, we may experience obstructions that will interfere with the ways we are bound to take. To be in the correct way, we should defeat these impediments. At times these snags are truly surprisingly beneficial developments; we don’t comprehend that at that point. The mystery of Life is most popular with the individuals who are not joined to anything profoundly to such an extent.

Ultimately, I will infer that we should make Life advantageous. It ought to be with the affection for our loved ones that Life can be made delightful. Life can be progressively excellent and deliberate by releasing our family obligations, busy working, society, and the world on the loose.

Thank you for your valuable time.

Short Speech on Life 150 Words in English

Short Speech on Life is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Good morning everyone, I’m here to express my views on Life.

There is presently no accord concerning the meaning of Life. One well-known definition is that life forms are open frameworks that look after homeostasis, are made out of cells, have a real existence cycle, experience digestion, develop, adjust to their condition, react to boosts, and recreate and advance. Different definitions, in some cases, incorporate non-cell life structures, for example, infections and germs.

We see people complaining about what they don’t have. However, you can breathe, stay alive, and live your Life is itself a blessing. In this manner, they stay distant from stresses and moving fortunes of their lives. One should understand the importance of Life. The very purpose of your Life is not meant to win or lose; it is just for the sake of living it to the fullest.

So, instead of wasting time in complaints and dissatisfaction, let’s stay happy with the fact that we are given a life.

10 Lines on Life Speech in English

• There is a great deal of worry around us the entire day, which makes it part of our brains obstacles.
• The pressure can emerge at the office, at home, in certain relations, or in whatever else.
• While taking care of these sorts of pressure, people don’t find the opportunity to see the excellence of Life.
• We overlook that there is something more in our Life, which is significant and wonderful.
• God has given us a lot of beneficial things like the magnificence of nature in our Life.
• Trees, creatures, plants, daylight, and others give us energy and joy throughout everyday Life.
• Nature instructs us that we ought to be glad and positive despite all chances.
• Challenges are a piece of Life; without it, our Life will get exhausting and uncomfortable.
• We should keep ourselves quiet, and afterward, managing the issues will turn out to be simple.
• Whatever the circumstance might be, we should not go astray from the objective and objectives of our Life.

FAQ’s on Life Speech

Question 1. What can be regarded as an ideal life?

Answer: Everyone has their ideals. Thus, the definition of an ideal life is different for every one of us.

Question 2. How to feel satisfied with your Life?

Answer: One can feel satisfied when he or she understands the very essence of Life, that is, Life is not meant about winning or losing, but it’s essential to live your Life to the fullest.

Question 3. What is a decent life?

Answer: A decent life is when your standpoint is that you have more great days than awful when Life is commonly a gift, not a weight.

Question 4. What are the positive contemplations?

Answer: Positive reasoning is the way toward making self- musings that make and change vitality into the real world and makes you optimistic.

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