speech about life struggle

Passion Power Purpose (Album)
Dare To Be Different (Album)
Freedom (Album)
RECHARGE (Album)
Headphones ON, World OFF – Workout Music Album
UPGRADE YOUR MIND (Album)
Better Than Yesterday – Motivational Speeches Album
Reinvent Yourself – Motivational Speeches Album
Uncommon Being – Motivational Speeches Album
Tom Bilyeu – Motivational Speeches (ALBUM)
Greatest Hits – Album + CD
10% Human 90% Beast – Gym Motivational Speeches (Album)
They Will Never Define Me – Album
Working On The Dream – Album
Strong Mind, Strong Life – Album
Feed Your Mind With Success – Album
Born Ready – Album
Hard Work Pays Off – Album
Success And Nothing Less (Album)
Today Is The Day (Album)
Fear Less Dominate More – Album
Hungry For Success – Album
Background Music
Motivational Quotes
The Great Teachers
Entrepreneur
Self Development
Money & Success
Athlete Motivation
Fitness Motivation
Inspirational Quotes
Mental Health
Motivational Speeches
Spirituality
Sports Motivation
Success & Self Help Books
The Law of Attraction
Wealth Building
Using Our Music
Licensing – YouTube Videos
Suggestions

Breathe Success – Official Lyric Video – Fearless Motivation
WE WON’T LOSE – Official Lyrics and Video – Fearless Motivation
STAND ALONE – Official Lyrics and Video – Fearless Motivation
I Won’t Back Down – Official Lyrics and Video – Fearless Motivation

Struggle Makes You Stronger (Motivational Speech)

Struggles, challenges and hard times offer you much more value than any other time in your life. You can not grow without struggle. You can not get STRONGER without resistance. Think about a time in your life that may have been hard, but forced you to become better. Get grateful for the struggles and WORK on yourself to ensure your future has much more PLEASURE than PAIN.

Struggle Makes You Stronger (Motivational Speech) Ft. William Hollis

Download or Stream To ANY DEVICE, Worldwide: iTunes , GooglePlay , AmazonMP3 , Spotify , Apple Music Struggle Makes You Stronger (Motivational Speech) – Lyrics, Music, Speech: Copyright: Fearless Motivation Speaker: William Hollis

Transcript – Struggle Makes You Stronger (Motivational Speech) | Fearless Motivation

Imagine if you got what you want, every time. No struggle. No hard work. No challenges. No hard work required.

Some of you are saying… that would be great… You would be weak!

And then, when something hard comes up in your life, you wouldn’t know how to handle it, because you have never gone through anything that strengthens you.

You can not GROW  without struggle. You can not develop STRENGTH without resistance, without challenging yourself, without struggle.

PAIN is your friend. Maybe not in the moment. But for the evolution of your soul, for the long term benefit of you as a stronger human being – pain IS YOUR FRIEND.

If you didn’t have failures… If you didn’t have struggles… If you didn’t have disappointment, you could have no strength, no courage, no compassion. How could you? Those qualities are MADE from your pain and struggle.

You were given pain because you are strong enough to handle it. You were given this LIFE because you are strong enough to live it. Because you are strong enough to drive though it. To THRIVE THROUGH IT. To inspire others through it.

They will look to you and say: He did it, She did it, I have the strength to do it to.

You are stronger than you think. You’ve survived all your challenges to this point… And you will survive whatever is coming. But next time a struggle comes I don’t want you to curse the skies. Know that it was sent for a reason and a lesson. It might be to make you stronger, it might be to teach you patience, it might be for you to show others your spirit, there is a reason.

So don’t you give up. You have a purpose in this world. And you will only find it if you keep going and keep GROWING.

Share: Struggle Makes You Stronger (Motivational Speech) – Motivational Video on Facebook, Twitter and GooglePlus by clicking the share buttons below. Leave a comment below and join the #TeamFearless community

23 Responses

Kindly please tell me the exacts words in this part: “Do you want people just to feel sorry for you or you want people to look up to you?! Do you want to be a LESSON?! Because lessons are born in the valley of STRUGGLE. fear is only (“a fiction on movies?”)????????? ” not sure if it is ‘ a fiction on movies’ or not

Fear is only a fictional movie (A made up concept) There is nothing to fear.

What a powerful piece of thought

It was dark when I woke. This is a ray of sunshine.

It’s allways darkest before The light i can struggle i got this situation and i will Learn from it. It’s just a grain in my shoe.

Any feed back would Be great.

Great videos! What is the name of the speaker who kicks in about 2:26? Motivating beyond words. Thanks.

Same speaker throughout the whole speech, William Hollis – listed in the description

The idea which you have shared is right.Struggle makes people stronger and that is a biggest fact.Last day I have gone through one blog called Leadlife blog by Sean Hughes and I consider it as one of the best lifestyle blogs and it was truly motivating.

life is full of challenges we should be ready to handle it comment or explain

please give a good answer for this

whoa its so MaRVELOUS

Like a strongger

bloop says its good

Such an inspirational thoughts… Love it….

It’s always darkest before The light i can struggle i got this situation and i will Learn from it. It’s just a grain in my shoe. I believe it.

A really really POWERFUL motivation for us in the hustle mode!

It is the fact struggle comes from our strength, thats why we feel miserable but if we fight against to our problem there is a reason we can live in happiness.

Amazing, motivation is power. I love it.

Imagine if you got what you want, every time. No struggle. No hard work. No challenges. No hard work required. (What makes this introduction weak is that you repeated “No hard work” twice.)

You can not GROW  without struggle. You can not develop STRENGTH without resistance, without challenging yourself, without struggle. (Also here why did you repeat “without struggle”?)

Also i’m a grade 10 student. Please be nice i’m just asking why?

I really enjoyed this post! It was very motivational and inspiring.

This motivational speech is spot on! I’ve been through some tough times in my life, but I’ve found that struggling pushes me to be stronger, more resilient, and more determined. The speaker’s message is so inspiring and has given me the courage to keep pushing through the hard times. Thank you for sharing this video!

16 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.

Effective Nonverbal Communication in Public Speaking

Effective Nonverbal Communication in Public Speaking Read More »

The 10 Benefits of Empathy in Public Speaking

The 10 Benefits of Empathy in Public Speaking Read More »

10 Ways to Generate Impromptu Speech Ideas

10 Ways to Generate Impromptu Speech Ideas Read More »

12 Ways to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

12 Ways to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking Read More »

Epic Speeches: The Ultimate Guide to Captivating Audiences

Epic Speeches: The Ultimate Guide to Captivating Audiences Read More »

2 Short Speeches About Motivation

2 Short Speeches About Motivation Read More »

A speech about life aims to provide insights, share personal experiences, motivate the audience, or encourage introspection about the various aspects of human existence.

They can be both. Some speakers draw from their personal journeys and lessons learned, while others tap into universal truths and shared human experiences.

No, everyday experiences can provide profound insights. It’s about the message and the perspective, not necessarily the drama of the events.

Using storytelling, anecdotes, humor, and asking thought-provoking questions can make your speech more engaging. Ensure that the content resonates with the audience’s experiences and emotions.

Focus on authenticity, clarity of message, and audience engagement. Also, incorporating relatable stories or analogies can make the content memorable.

The Persuasive Speaker Bootcamp: Deliver Speeches That Move People

Amplify & Influence: Mastering Persuasive Presentations

The CEO Speaker Bootcamp: Craft Impactful Executive Speeches

The Informative Speaker Bootcamp: Crafting Captivating Educational Talks

About the author.

Jef Menguin

17 Leadership Training Programs in the Philippines

30 Motivational Speeches To Get You Moving Forward Now

I like building and growing simple yet powerful products for the world and the worldwide web.

Published Date : October 29, 2021

Reading Time :

A sense of purpose in your professional and personal life is critical to success. It is useful advice for an impending deadline, an important presentation, or when clients rely on your performance.

Words can revitalize you on both a physical and emotional level. Motivational speeches may help you focus on your objectives and motivate your team. Having the right words to say the right thing at the right moment can transform and challenge your thinking.

You can use these motivational speeches to stay inspired and fulfilled no matter what life throws at you. These speeches will remind you why you do what you do and how much you enjoy doing it.

How Motivational Speeches Move People

People are propelled ahead by motivation. It rouses individuals from their complacency and opens their eyes to the thrilling possibilities . It is where motivational speeches help people to rise beyond the shackles of their ordinary existence.

Although motivation has a profound and even mystical effect on individuals, it is not as elusive as it first seems. The best motivational speeches are those that provoke thinking and meaning.

What Makes The Best Motivational Speeches

Best motivational speeches all have one thing in common: they’re filled with emotion . Emotions influence our decisions, behaviors, and viewpoints in every area of our lives. Motivational speeches are often filled with:

Anecdotes about overcoming adversity
Perseverance
Achieving success

Speakers who use emotive topics and talking points that the audience can connect to are more likely to motivate the audience.

Plus, make them believe that they can overcome whatever obstacles stand in their way. The feeling of hope often sparks inspiration.

Qualities of Good Motivational Speakers

A few of the most effective motivational speakers share the characteristics listed below.

For more knowledge in delivering a motivational speech , here are some tips:

Initiate mobility . Speakers begin with a speech , but concentrating the audience on various elements leads to a specific outcome.
Straight to the point . Speakers convince the audience of their credibility while giving their speeches.
Make it interesting . An effective motivational speaker knows that standing before an audience and blathering is never appreciated.

Practice your speech with Orai. Get feedback on your tone, tempo, confidence , and conciseness .

Motivational Speeches From Universities

Motivational speeches from well-known people are given during graduation each year to encourage students. Here are the best motivational speeches during the commencement exercises of different universities:

1. Denzel Washington – University of Pennsylvania

Denzel Washington’s motivational speech discusses the importance of taking chances in life and how. It is among the finest motivational speeches that are valid for business owners. He stated that when you fail, you should fall forward to his graduation address. Also, he encourages people to embrace failure and grow from it.

2. Steve Jobs – Stanford University

Definitely among the finest motivational speeches ever! His motivational speech discussed life’s setbacks, such as death, and how understanding death may help people make better life decisions. His comments to the graduating class on the value of learning and pursuing goals were the most valuable advice he could give them.

3. Jim Carrey – Maharishi University

At Maharishi University in Iowa, actor and comedian Jim Carrey delivered one of the most original graduation addresses ever. His takeaway from his motivational speech is: Never give up on your goals and never give up on yourself. Indeed, it is one of the best motivational speeches.

4. J.K. Rowling – Harvard University

Several publishers rejected J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series before it was finally accepted, as is well known. However, before she became successful, she was in a desperate position and was about to become bankrupt. In her Harvard address, she stressed the importance of not being afraid of failure and persisting in adversity.

5. Matthew McConaughey – University of Houston

Next on our list is Matthew McConaughey’s motivational speech . His speech has various excellent ideas. But, the one that stood out was when he said we should approach happiness constantly.

Ultimately, he discovered that everything came into place when he approached things step by step. After everything was said and done, Matthew McConaughey gave one of the best motivational speeches in recent years.

6. Michelle Obama – Eastern Kentucky University

Michelle Obama delivered a commencement speech to the Eastern Kentucky University class in 2013. She urged them to keep challenging their assumptions and find a way to make their flaws work for them. Her speech focused on giving the students motivation about life.

When it comes to defining moments in your life, it won’t be when you receive a promotion or have a breakthrough in your career.

7. Peter Dinklage – Bennington College

Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage is well-known for portraying Tyrion Lannister in the show. He delivered the Bennington College graduating speech in 2012. His message to the graduating class focused on perseverance and doing everything it takes to succeed.

8. John Roberts – Cardigan Mountain School

US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts addressed his son’s graduating high school class in 2017. It’s not good luck; he wishes the grads in his address. He expresses his want for kids to experience loneliness, failure, and defeat from time to time.

9. Natalie Portman – Harvard University

Actress Natalie Portman addressed Harvard University’s 2015 graduating class during their graduation ceremony. She uses wide brushstrokes from all periods of her life to build a picture in her compelling speech . Also, she claims to have discovered that taking measured risks may result in life-altering benefits, as she has done it herself.

10. Meryl Streep – Barnard College

Meryl Streep is most recognized as a 16-time nominee and 2-time winner at the Academy Awards. While at Barnard College, she made a memorable graduating address in 2010 that inspired the audience. However, in her address, she emphasized the importance of her relationships with family and friends.

Become an excellent speaker with the perfect Motivational speech .

Download the Orai App to learn more

Motivational Speeches From Ted Talk

Reaffirming your confidence in humanity is one of the most powerful benefits of listening to motivational speeches. Next time you need a little additional energy, have this list handy.

1. Elizabeth Gilbert

Famous author and TED speaker Elizabeth Gilbert spoke about how we all have a “genius” that we may unleash. She is the author of the best-selling book Eat, Pray, Love. Gilbert’s motivational speech emphasized the importance of not being intimidated or scared of success.

2. Tony Robbins

One of the most well-known motivational speakers today is Tony Robbins. This TED lecture, in particular, profoundly affects the listener. It addresses two major issues in its title, “Why We Do What We Do.”

We learn about ourselves and others by asking these kinds of inquiries. What should you remember? You are the only person who can decide whether or not you succeed.

3. Richard St. John

Next on our list of motivational speeches is Richard St. John’s TED Talk from 2005, given by the author, marketer, and analyst. St. John’s address, which was based on his book “8 To Be Great,” gets to the point in a manner that most speeches don’t

The remainder of St. John’s discourse quickly transitions from one intriguing topic to the next without wasting time or words. There are also a few well-placed jokes in there. As a result, even though he covers a lot of subjects, his audience retains what he says.

4. Dan Pink

As a writer, Dan Pink’s reputation is supported by many “legs,” such as his writings and accolades. Also, in the late 1990s, he was the primary speechwriter for former US Vice President Al Gore.

Pink’s TED Talk is a role model for everyone who wants to convert a dull subject into motivating. He started his speech by examining how most economists see performance, stating, “If you want people to perform better, you reward them. Right? That’s how business works.”

5. Mel Robbins

Regarding speakers, Mel Robbins has a solid reputation for taking a direct and honest stance on even the most emotional subjects. Due to this, she’s not scared to speak her mind regarding difficult issues. She only chooses a person from her audience to underscore her speech ’s enormous chances of being born.

6. Simon Sinek

First seen in his 2009 TED Talk “How Great Leaders Inspire Action,” Simon Sinek is a best-selling author. Sinek proves he’s not just switching from one stereotyped issue to another. In addition, he encourages audiences to let go of their preconceived notions about the subject to approach it with a fresh perspective.

7. Tali Sharot

Dr. Tali Sharot is dedicated to helping people realize their personal and professional dreams. She works to increase awareness of the impact of emotions on our decisions and behavior. In this TED talk, she talks about how to motivate yourself to change your behavior.

8. Brene Brown

Brene Brown, a Texan with a penchant for ranting and raving, is an authority on shame and vulnerability. A key focus of Brown’s research is human connection. Over 16 million people have seen her motivational TED presentation in which she offers a profound discovery from her studies. It launched her on a personal mission to understand both herself and humankind.

9. Malcolm Gladwell

It wouldn’t be a list of motivational speeches without Malcolm Gladwell’s inclusion. Gladwell tells the tale of a guy who refused to believe in the existence of a ‘perfect’ spaghetti sauce. It contains important insights for executives who want to create work environments where their employees are pleased.

10. Sam Berns

It is one of the best motivational speeches you’ll ever see. A 17-year-old Sam became a public face for Progeria, a hereditary disorder with the evocative moniker aging sickness. While some claimed Sam would never transcend the constraints others had placed on him, he refused to let his illness define him.

He led the life he wanted, ignoring his disease and the things that set him apart in favor of his goals. It’s a remarkable heirloom left by a unique young man.

Best Motivational Speeches From Movies

While narrative and actors are important in movies, speeches leave an impression on audiences. So, here are the best motivational speeches from movies to help you out:

Given Sunday

To prepare for a rough day, hear this inspiring lecture from a well-known motivational speaker. It focuses on the importance of inches in American Football, even though we prefer to disregard them. He speaks about how his team may gain an inch on their competition by focusing on the little details of winning.

Irrespective of whether or not you saw the film, it provided cinemagoers with one of the most motivational speeches ever. You don’t have to yell or curse a lot. Depending on your personality, it may cause you to enter what we refer to as “the zone.” Speeches in earlier films have included theatrical components; this one does not.

3. Hoosiers

Even though we’re still in college, we’ve already gained enough life experience to realize that working hard doesn’t guarantee a W. Even if we give it our all, dozing off in the library at 3 a.m. on top of our books, that doesn’t guarantee an A. Isn’t it enough if you’re giving it your all?

4. Friday Night Lights

Is it possible for you to speak the truth to your friends while looking them in the eye? That you put out all of your efforts? In this film, Coach Gaines says that if you can accomplish it with love in your heart, you’ve achieved perfection. His message inspires honesty, camaraderie, and love among his team members in this scenario.

5. Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa reminds his kid that life isn’t fair in this scene since he is a father figure in the Rocky franchise. It is like boxing in that how hard you punch back is immaterial. According to him, what matters is how much you can absorb and how quickly you can advance.

6. The Pursuit of Happiness

It’s worth mentioning that the whole picture is moving since it depicts father-son relationships. In this speech , a father instructs his kid never to give up on his dreams, no matter how unlikely they may seem to others. If someone tells you you can’t attain your objectives, don’t believe them.

7. Wolf of Wall Street

The main hero’s speech in Wolf of Wall Street is encouraging because it takes achievement into account. Seeing examples of people who rose from poverty to riches might encourage others to take risks when an opportunity arises. Since his speech , having a decent standard of life has become more important.

8. Braveheart

In this scene, William Wallace gives a speech on the importance of freedom to a human being. For him, independence trumps the monotony of everyday existence. The speech can motivate listeners to take action instead of just producing food.

9. The Shawshank Redemption

Motivational speeches like this one demonstrate confidence in an optimistic future. You can still use it, even if you have to put in a lot of work to get there while another guy gives up. It would help if you always had an optimistic outlook on life’s prospects.

10. Independence Day

In this film, the president discusses the importance of humanism and goodwill among all countries. His message is motivational because he discusses uniting against common adversaries and preserving lives. If you’re considering international relations, this speech is a gold mine.

What event did Greta Thunberg speak at in 2019, and what was the focus of her speech?

In 2019, Greta Thunberg delivered a speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit. The focus of her powerful address was to criticize world leaders for their inadequate actions toward addressing and combating climate change. Thunberg traveled by sailboat to the summit and accused these leaders of failing to take tangible steps to combat the global climate crisis.

Who is Greta Thunberg, and what is she known for?

Greta Thunberg is a prominent figure in the realm of environmental activism, hailing from Sweden. At the tender age of 20, she has gained international recognition for fearlessly challenging global leaders to address the urgent need for measures to counter the impacts of climate change. Thunberg’s passionate advocacy work centers around raising awareness about the climate crisis and urging policymakers to take concrete actions to combat it. Her inspiring efforts have made her synonymous with the fight against climate change on a global scale.

What insights were found through the analysis of Oprah Winfrey’s motivational speech?

Oprah Winfrey delivered a motivational speech without using any filler words, speaking at a conversational pace and maintaining positive body language . Her speech delivery was effective and can be an example for aspiring speakers. Yoodli is a tool that can help individuals improve their speech patterns and English proficiency.

What is the title and significance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech 1963?

Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech , delivered in 1963 at the height of the civil rights movement, remains iconic. Standing at the Lincoln Memorial, he addressed a massive crowd with a message of hope, equality, and justice. The speech ’s enduring power lies in its call to judge individuals by character, not skin color, inspiring generations to dream of a more just future.

Who gave the Nobel Peace Prize Lecture in 2014, and what was the content of the speech?

Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani champion for female education, delivered a powerful Nobel Peace Prize speech in 2014. Despite facing threats and violence, she expressed unwavering commitment to her cause, highlighting education’s role in achieving peace and leaving a lasting impact on the world.

What did Janelle Monáe discuss in her 2018 Trailblazer Award acceptance speech?

Janelle Monáe, a trailblazer, urged pushing boundaries and exploring oneself to create inclusive spaces. She highlighted self-discovery’s challenges and rewards, emphasizing authenticity’s power in empowering others.

Who is Janelle Monáe, and what awards has she received?

Janelle Monáe is a multi-talented pop artist who proudly identifies as queer and Black. Known for her powerful voice and dynamic performances, she has garnered recognition for her artistic contributions across various award ceremonies. Some of the awards and nominations she has received come from distinguished organizations such as BET, Billboard Music, ASCAP, and AICE. These accolades celebrate her exceptional talent and artistic achievements in the music industry.

Parting Words

That concludes our selection of the best motivational speeches to get you through the tough times ahead! Let’s take a look at some of the common themes that appear in all of these talks.

It’s critical that you like your work.
Even if you fail, that’s not the end of the world.
It would be better if you aspired to it.

Now, consider the topics that will motivate your listeners to pay attention to your words. You may also use the Orai App to help you enhance your public speaking skills and capture your audience’s attention. Furthermore, take advantage of the free trial offer and start immediately.

Practice makes a man perfect. Start practicing and become a professional speaker.

How Many Words is a 5-Minute Speech

Good Attention Getters for Speeches with 10+ Examples!

Quick links.

Presentation Topics

Speeches > Jonathan G. Sandberg > Healing = Courage + Action + Grace

Healing = Courage + Action + Grace

Jonathan g. sandberg.

January 21, 2014

I should start by confessing I will likely cry. I am a therapist. I can’t help it; emotion is what I do. But in my defense, I bet no one on this campus looks more like Bronco Mendenhall than I do, and we all know he is very manly. Wait for the hat and the super-serious stare. Do you see what I mean? When we first moved to Utah, two of our children were walking around campus, and they saw Bronco. Our then thirteen-year-old daughter said, “Dad, you do look just like him—minus the muscles.”

Notwithstanding my emotional or physical condition during this talk, please remember as I speak today that it is never about the messenger; it is about the message. I pray I can remember what Martin Luther King Jr. said to himself before his first speech at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church: “Keep Martin Luther King in the background and God in the foreground and everything will be all right. Remember you are a channel of the gospel and not the source.” 1

On that note, I want you to know how much I am humbled by this opportunity. I have tremendous respect for the BYU devotional experience. I have for years read, listened to, and benefited from BYU devotionals. I keep a long list of talks in a file that I give out to clients, family members, friends, and young adults like you. I have seen many times that healing, hope, and peace can come through the word of God, or, as Jacob said, “the pleasing word of God, . . . which healeth the wounded soul” ( Jacob 2:8 ).

For that reason I felt perhaps the most helpful thing I can do is simply provide a list of resources in the endnotes of this talk. I hope these references will help you, your family, your friends, bishops, and therapists as we all try to deal with the adversities of life and find healing. I have organized the references by topic (for example, adversity, depression, anxiety, pornography, and same-gender attraction) and have listed the talks (most often BYU devotionals) that might be helpful to some reader in the future. Throughout this talk I will reference many different authors and highlight additional reading that may be helpful for those who are interested. Please take the time to read through the endnotes. I know that healing can be found as we listen to and read words of wisdom and apply the true principles found therein.

A Formula for Healing

That brings me to today’s topic: healing. We all need healing. For some of us that need is great today. There are likely among us those who are brokenhearted because a relationship has ended badly. Others are in pain because their parents have decided to divorce or a loved one has renounced the Church. Some have learned recently that they have a chronic illness, and others have just relapsed into addictive behavior for what seems like the hundredth time. I would guess that there are some today who have wondered if depression or anxiety will always be a suffocating influence in their lives, while other students are going through a loss that seems both unfair and unrelenting. Others are drowning in loneliness and isolation while still others are constantly placed on the margins, even here at BYU.

Perhaps these folks look or talk or feel different from what may be considered “the norm.” This group is broader than we may think and often includes new converts; those who experience same-gender attraction; those who are fortunate enough to have diversity in their ethnic, racial, or cultural background (please see the topic section “Diversity—Its Value and Worth to BYU and the Church” at the end of the talk); or those who do not like to sing songs about eternal and happy families because that has not been their experience. Even the greatest among us, Jesus Christ, experienced betrayal, mocking, abandonment, loss of loved ones, and physical pain as part of His mortal experience.

My hope today is to encourage you that healing is possible if you apply the principles that lead to healing. I will try to explain clearly—and I ask for your prayers that we can understand one another by the Spirit—three principles that can lead to healing and to knowing that all healing is a gift from Jesus Christ, for, as Isaiah said, “with his stripes we are healed” ( Isaiah 53:5 ).

My talk is entitled “Healing = Courage + Action + Grace.” And in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., who was recently listed in Ted Stewart’s The Mark of a Giant 2 as one of seven people who changed the world, I start with an example from his life that so clearly highlights these principles. Look for courage, action, and grace as I read his words:

Almost immediately after the [bus boycott] started we had begun to receive threatening telephone calls and letters. They increased as time went on. . . .

One night . . . I couldn’t sleep. It seemed that all of my fears had come down on me at once. . . .

. . . I had heard these things before, but for some reason that night it got to me. . . . I went to the kitchen and . . . I sat there and thought about a beautiful little daughter who had just been born. . . . I started thinking about a dedicated and loyal wife, who was over there asleep. And she could be taken from me, or I could be taken from her. And I got to the point that I couldn’t take it any longer. . . . With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud . . . : “Lord, I’m down here trying to do what’s right. I think I’m right. I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But Lord, I must confess that I’m weak now, I’m faltering. I’m losing my courage. Now, I am afraid. . . . I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.”

It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: “Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And lo, I will be with you. Even until the end of the world.”

I tell you . . . I heard the voice of Jesus saying still to fight on. He promised never to leave me alone. At that moment I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never experienced Him before. Almost at once my fears began to go. My uncertainty disappeared. I was ready to face anything. 3

Can you see in this example the pathway to healing? Courage to face a difficult situation and stand for truth, acting in faith by turning to God in prayer, and peace and strength from the Lord through His grace—courage, action, grace.

What then is healing, and why should we seek it? My favorite talk on the subject of healing is a BYU devotional given by Elaine S. Marshall in 2002 entitled “ Learning the Healer’s Art .” I strongly recommend you study it. I assign it in every class I teach, from undergraduate to doctoral level. I suggest you read it more than once. Listen closely to her definition of healing:

On [my] first day as a nurse, I assumed cure, care, and healing to be synonymous. I have learned they are not the same. Healing is not cure. Cure is clean, quick, and done—often under anesthesia. . . . Healing, however, is often a lifelong process of recovery and growth in spite of, maybe because of, enduring physical, emotional, or spiritual assault. It requires time. . . .

. . . It requires all the energy of your entire being. You have to be there, fully awake, aware, and participating when it happens. 4

Healing is much more than “getting better” or “having our problems go away.” Healing is growth, development, and maturation. In a word, healing is change. It takes time and energy and struggle, but healing teaches us. As Marshall said:

Healing can help us to become more sensitive and more awake to life. . . . Healing invites gifts of humility and faith. It opens our hearts to . . . truth, beauty, . . . and grace. 5

But remember, even with all that beauty and growth and grace, healing does hurt.

Some people I have had the privilege of working with over the years have had a hard time reconciling the fact that healing requires suffering and yet is a gift from our Savior. How is it that a loving God would allow us to suffer? I have come to realize that my Savior cares more about my growth than He does about my comfort. One evidence of His love is that He does not spare me from the suffering I need for my development and progression, even when I get mad at Him. As a client once told me, “I used to feel guilty for getting mad at God. Then I realized He can handle it.”

And, unlike other humans, He does not punish me when I am mad or hold a grudge or remind me of it the next time my heart is right and I ask for His help.

I love how Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, described healing:

Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a “healing” . . . lifts our burden. But sometimes we are “healed” by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us. 6

As we consider the key components for healing, let us remember that, in the end, healing is a gift from our Savior that will likely require effort and suffering on our part so that we can grow and develop through our struggles. The gift is often the refinement we experience in the process.

Let me give you one example from one of my heroes. When the relatively young Nelson Mandela first entered prison, he was described by his peers as too “emotional” (meaning he lacked self-control), “passionate” (meaning he had a temper), and “quickly stung” (easily offended), but when he left prison twenty-seven years later, the words he would use to describe himself were “balanced,” “measured,” and “controlled.” 7 As Richard Stengel noted in his excellent book on lessons learned from Mandela, “Nelson Mandela had many teachers in his life, but the greatest of them all was prison.” 8 When he was pestered about how prison had changed him, Mandela simply said, “I came out mature.” 9

Was prison a healing experience for Mandela? It depends on how you describe healing. As described in Elder Oaks’ words, Mandela developed in prison the strength, understanding, and patience necessary to bear the burdens that were placed on him. What were those burdens? In the midst of decades of violent and hate-filled conflict, Mandela left prison to lead two groups into the miraculously peaceful development of a democracy, preventing the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives in a bloody civil war. Is that healing? I would say yes. Mandela’s personal healing fostered nationwide healing. His life is an example of how courage, action, and grace lead to healing.

Let’s shift our focus for a moment to courage. Simply defined, true “courage is not the absence of fear; it is the making of action in spite of fear.” 10 In order for healing to occur, we have to be courageous enough to move forward when we are afraid. I have chosen three examples in which courage is needed for healing to occur.

First, we have to be courageous to face the truth regarding what needs to change in our lives. This type of intense introspection requires tremendous honesty with ourselves. As Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” ( John 8:32 ; see also 2 Nephi 28:28 ), but that is usually only after it hurts us first. Most of what I know about the courage to heal I have learned from clients. I have noticed among those who do find healing a real commitment to learning the truth about themselves, which is never easy.

I once asked a client if he really wanted to change—if he wanted to change badly enough to hear the truth about his role in his marriage. He said yes, so I told him I thought he was a diva who interacted with his wife from a selfish and entitled place. I was impressed with his response to me. After a chuckle he said, “You are probably right, and I do not want to be a diva anymore. I want someone to call me out on my stuff, and I want to change.” He was back the next week ready to work. I appreciated his courage. It takes courage to be honest with ourselves.

Second, it takes tremendous courage to be congruent—to live a life in which our public and private priorities are in sync and in which what we experience on the inside is consistent with what we show on the outside. I like what marriage and family therapist William J. Doherty said about integrity. He stated, “Integrity is harmony between our moral beliefs and our actions.” 11

I learned this lesson the hard way when a colleague at Syracuse University gave me some pointed and painful feedback. After one faculty meeting he said to me, “It must be exhausting being you, living a two-faced life.”

When I asked him what he meant, he explained, “I cannot believe that the guy I see at work, who seems to say anything that will help him fit into the group he is with, is the same guy who attends church on Sunday.”

A little context may help with this story. I was hired at Syracuse as a twenty-eight-year-old recent graduate who was a white male conservative Christian working in a liberal, social activist program.

Unfortunately my colleague was correct. I desperately wanted to fit in and was unsure about what I really thought and felt regarding socially and politically intense topics like same-gender marriage. I was posing and pretending to try to fit in. As James in the New Testament said, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” ( James 1:8 ).

My colleague’s feedback became more personal, for both him and for me, as he went on to say, “Look, as a black man, if the Ku Klux Klan came to town, I know you would hide me in your basement, but as soon as they came to your door, you would turn me over to save yourself.”

In essence, my colleague was saying, “I do not trust you because you do not have the courage to be congruent in all settings.”

It took time to internalize that feedback and realize he was right. I had to figure out what I believed—not what my parents had said was right or the Church or my employer, but what I believed was right. I had to get right between God and me. Then I had to learn to live congruently so that my actions were in harmony with my moral beliefs—which took courage.

But oh, how refreshing it is to live a life of integrity! Healing requires the courage to find out that what we believe is true and live according to that truth. As the therapist Brené Brown has astutely observed:

Trying to co-opt or win over someone . . . is always a mistake, because it means trading in your authenticity for approval. You stop believing in your worthiness and start hustling for it. 12

I have learned over the years that posturing, posing, peacocking, and pretending are exhausting and bring unhappiness. Having the courage to be congruent brings a settled and peaceful feeling. I like what Elijah in the Old Testament said about congruence: “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him” ( 1 Kings 18:21 ).

Third, we have to develop the courage to live counter to the world’s dominant culture. You know what I am talking about—the culture in which money, sex, material possessions, fame, violent behavior, and carnal exploits are the currency for success. We live in a world in which appearance and approval are the keys to social status and power. 13 In order to find healing, we have to develop the courage to say no to this dominant culture. I love what Morrie Schwartz said to Mitch Albom about living counter to the culture in the book Tuesdays with Morrie:

The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. We’re teaching the wrong things. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it. Create your own. 14

A number of wonderful BYU devotionals have described the unhealthy culture of perceived perfectionism and how we have to fight against it. In two devotionals given last year, both Tyler J. Jarvis and Kristin L. Matthews encouraged us to be more accepting of our imperfections and to be more pleased with our best approximations, our bodies, our gifts, and our differences. I encourage you to reread their talks. 15

Listen to what President Thomas S. Monson said about having the courage to live by truth and to avoid the unhealthy dominant culture:

Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. . . . A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. 16

In her delightful way, author and devoted mother and grandmother Marjorie Pay Hinckley described the peace that comes when we refuse to compare and despair, as the dominant culture teaches:

Fifty was my favorite age. It takes about that long to learn to quit competing—to be yourself and settle down to living. It is the age I would like to be through all eternity! 17

In order to find healing, we have to develop the courage to avoid the culture that says there is only one acceptable way (i.e., a specific size, hair color, or ACT score) to be a good person or even a good Christian. There are many, many ways to be a righteous, positive influence in the world. If enough of us say no to the dominant culture, it will lose its power (see Joshua 1:9 ). 18

This brings us to the next part of the equation of courage + action + grace = healing.

Action is essential to healing. To act instead of merely being acted upon was a key issue in the War in Heaven before we came to this earth (see Revelation 12:7–11 ). According to the scriptures, “God gave unto man [and woman] that [they] should act for [themselves]” ( 2 Nephi 2:16 ), but Satan “sought to destroy the agency of man” ( Moses 4:3 ). When pondering these scriptures, I realized that when I choose to be inactive or place myself in a state of being acted upon, I give Satan greater power in my life.

A number of scriptures describe clearly the need to act and not be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26 ; D&C 43:8–9 ), 19 but how is action related to healing? I have come to see that action is the point at which belief turns into faith. When we act in faith, moving ahead on a good path, we open the door to grace. Having the courage to act opens the door to grace, which is the key to healing. Learning to act in faith is one of the great challenges of mortality. 20

What then are the major roadblocks to acting in faith? I would suggest that procrastination and fear are two of Satan’s greatest tools to keep us in the “acted upon” position. If Satan can convince us that our fear is too great to be able to act or that to act is a great idea but we should do it later, he can prevent us from opening the door to grace.

Think about how he does this. Maybe you tell yourself, “I totally plan on getting married. It is a great idea and I am pro-marriage, but I have to do these other things first.”

Or, “My life is in a holding pattern right now. I am not sure where I should go or what I should do until I get married. I am stuck.” 21

Or, “I know this problem I have [insert pornography, 22 eating patterns, or anxiety] needs to be fixed, but I have too much to do right now to put the time and energy into addressing it.”

Or, “I cannot go to my bishop to resolve this sin because I am afraid he will see how far I have fallen and he will not want or will not be able to help me.”

Can you see how effective procrastination and fear are in meeting Satan’s objectives in our lives?

Remember, the longer we remain in an inactive state, the farther we drift from the Lord and His Spirit. As C. S. Lewis astutely described, “The more often [a person] feels without acting, the less he will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel.” 23

How then can we overcome the tendency to procrastinate or shut down in fear? Let me propose that prayer is the simplest form of action. 24 Remember the truth in this hymn: “Prayer will change the night to day. So, when life gets dark and dreary, Don’t forget to pray.” 25

When you pray, you act in faith and open the door to “blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them.” 26

In your prayers, be sure to speak openly, sincerely, and directly to Him who is your loving Father. Sometimes I fear our prayers are too vague and too passive to bring about the spiritual support we need. 27

We need to learn how to offer mighty prayer. For example, you might fervently plead, “Heavenly Father, I am procrastinating again. I am getting stuck in that old pattern. Please help me to break free. Please give me the strength to just get started and then the stamina to stick with the task.”

Or, “Heavenly Father, I am totally shut down in fear. I need to move forward and act, but this prayer is all I can muster up right now. Please help me find the courage to act.”

I promise those prayers will be heard and help will come. We call that help grace.

And remember, you can still act, even if you are afraid or feel like procrastinating. My favorite example of this type of action is Mother Teresa. I love this quote about her from writer Marcus Goodyear:

Mother Teresa doubted. Her spirit wavered. . . . Some days she questioned herself. Some days she questioned God.

And this is the biggest encouragement of all. Even Mother Teresa had doubts. . . . Her doubt gives me hope; not that my own doubt will go away but that feelings of doubt are not as powerful as a faithful decision to act.

I may doubt, but I still pray. I still go to church. I still worship. . . .

Doubt is a feeling, but faith chooses to act no matter our feelings. 28

Another great example of acting in the face of understandable fear is Rosa Parks. 29 Over the last three years I have had the privilege of coteaching a civil rights course and visiting historical sites central to the civil rights movement. One of my favorite sites to visit is the Rosa Parks Museum. Mrs. Parks is known for her courageous stand on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, when she refused to give up her seat. Until visiting her museum and reading more about her life, I did not realize that numerous African Americans had been beaten, arrested, raped, or shot in Montgomery during the decade before her refusal to give up her seat—all for taking a similar stance to Mrs. Parks’ action.

In my study of her, I have learned that Mrs. Parks was courageously acting long before that winter day in 1955. For example, she served as secretary in the local chapter of the NAACP and was a vigorous advocate for justice for black women who had been brutally raped in the South. However, as will be our experience, most of her courageous acts were unknown and unheralded. In the case of the bus boycott, she was in the right place at the right time, willing to do the right thing, which helped bring needed change to our country.

I have since asked myself, “Am I in the right place doing the right thing, willing to act as God prompts so I can do the work He has given me?” Listen to how one biographer described Mrs. Parks’ courage to act: “Parks made an active choice in that instance. . . . In a moment designed to frighten and degrade, she was able to see herself as an agent and claim a space of choice.” 30 I love that phrase “see herself as an agent and claim a space of choice.” When we have the courage to act, we open the door to healing. Mrs. Parks’ courageous act opened the door to the civil rights movement, a movement that brought a large measure of needed healing to this country.

That brings us to the final part of the equation—healing = courage + action + grace. What is grace? I love the definition provided by David A. Bednar in a devotional given while he was president of BYU–Idaho. He quoted the Bible Dictionary, which states that grace can be defined as

divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.

. . . It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals . . . receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power. 31

After reading this definition, President Bednar then added, “Thus the enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity.” 32

The scriptures are full of examples of the grace of Jesus Christ as He ministered to people struggling to do and be good but coming up short. The scriptures teach of Him reaching out to His people at their breaking point and providing strength, patience, joy, comfort, assurances, peace, faith, hope, courage, and determination and even wiping away the tears from their eyes (see Mosiah 24:13–16 ; Alma 31:31–38 , 58:9–12 ; Revelation 21:4 ). The grace of Jesus Christ, His bounteous mercy and love, is available to us if we but have the courage to reach out to Him. 33

Sometimes that grace comes directly through the Holy Ghost, and we can feel His clear and specific love for us. Sometimes that grace comes as Christ touches another person’s heart and prompts her or him to share, bless, and uplift another. In other words, grace is often made manifest through the courage and action of a person who reaches out to serve another. Let me give you an example of the principle of reaching out from the childhood of Thomas S. Monson, the president of the Church:

Again Christmastime had come. We were preparing for the oven a gigantic turkey and anticipating the savory feast that awaited. A neighborhood pal of mine asked a startling question: “What does turkey taste like?”

I responded, “Oh, about like chicken tastes.”

Again a question: “What does chicken taste like?”

It was then that I realized my friend had never eaten chicken or turkey. I asked what his family was going to have for Christmas dinner. There was no prompt response, just a downcast glance and the comment, “I dunno. There’s nothing in the house.”

I pondered a solution. There was none. I had no turkeys, no chickens, no money. Then I remembered I did have two pet rabbits. Immediately I took them to my friend and handed the box to him with the comment, “Here, take these two rabbits. They’re good to eat—just like chicken.”

He took the box, climbed the fence, and headed for home—a Christmas dinner safely assured. Tears came easily to me as I closed the door to the empty rabbit hutch. But I was not sad. A warmth, a feeling of indescribable joy, filled my heart. It was a memorable Christmas. 34

President Monson was a minister of grace (see 1 Peter 4:10 ), and we can be one too.

Grace is the power by which healing occurs. In every aspect of His mortal and postmortal ministry, Christ went about healing all manner of afflictions (see Matthew 9:18–25 ; 3 Nephi 17:9 ). His part is to be our atoning Savior, and our part is to be courageous enough to act. He then provides the grace and healing. However, sometimes we may not appreciate the manifestations of His grace because healing blessings do not always come in the form we ask. Sometimes His grace is made manifest by letting us sit and struggle with an issue. Again, our Heavenly Father and Savior are more interested in our growth and progression than in our comfort and convenience. 35 Moments of struggle often bring the greatest growth. 36

Permit me to illustrate this point with an example from the life of my sweetheart and best friend, Sharon. In April 2002, Sharon’s fifty-six-year-old father, Mike, suffered a major heart attack one day at work. As a result of a lack of oxygen to the brain, he was in a coma for a week. Many friends and family members prayed and fasted, he received multiple blessings, and his name was placed on the prayer roll at multiple temples, but, regardless of these efforts, it was his time to die (see D&C 42:43–48 ). As the months passed, we came to some measure of peace regarding his early and unexpected death.

At the time, Sharon was working with the young children at church as the Primary president. It was her turn to teach the children, and the topic was “God Hears and Answers My Prayers.” We talked a lot about that lesson and the dilemma it presented for her, and Doctrine and Covenants 18:18 and 88:64 were particularly helpful at the time.

My wife said, “I know God hears and answers our prayers, but if in the end He is going to do what is His will, why should I pray for what I want and need? My dad died anyway because it was God’s will. My prayers have not been the same since he died.”

If you have not yet experienced that kind of despair in your prayers, you likely will. 37 For some of you that moment is now.

So what did Sharon teach the children? Up until the night before she was not sure what to say. When the day came, she simply taught, through her tears, “I know that God hears and answers every prayer. He does not always give us the answer we want, and that really hurts. But I believe you will do better in your life by praying than by not praying. That is why I pray every day.”

Acting on true principles, even when your heart says otherwise, takes true courage. And as a result, Sharon received a measure of healing that day through the grace of Jesus Christ. One of my favorite parts about being married to Sharon—and there are many—is to listen to her pray in faith for our children, extended family, and others in need. She knows how to talk to Heavenly Father.

As my friend Ty Mansfield has described in one of the stories profiled on the Church’s website mormonsandgays.org, if we can just stay with God, trust Him, and keep doing the things that bring the Spirit into our lives, then light and healing can enter, even though at the moment things look dark and gloomy. 38 Whether the struggle is same-gender attraction, a crisis of faith, an addiction, or a deep sense of loneliness, just stay with God. Trust Him. There is light and love ahead (see D&C 50:23–25 ). 39 Again, if we can muster up the courage and take action, Christ provides the grace: courage + action + grace = healing.

By way of conclusion and testimony, I know that Jesus Christ is the great Healer. Over many years, in numerous settings, I have seen wounds of horrific abuse, long-standing addiction, loss that has shattered the soul, and heartache beyond description be addressed, overcome, and resolved through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know He is a real, living, loving God. I love and honor Him. I know His grace is sufficient—meaning big or powerful enough—to help us with all our problems. I know His promises to us are real and true. He can and will cleanse and heal us as He has said (see Ezekiel 36:25–28 ). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

1. Martin Luther King Jr., The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., ed. Clayborne Carson (New York: Intellectual Properties Management in association with Warner Books, 2001), 42–43. This book was compiled thirty years after Martin Luther King Jr.’s death and is a beautiful representation of his words and thoughts.

2. See Ted Stewart, The Mark of a Giant: Seven People Who Changed the World (Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2013). I very much enjoyed this book, and I strongly recommend it to those who like biographies.

3. King, Autobiography, 76–78.

4. Elaine S. Marshall, “ Learning the Healer’s Art ,” BYU devotional address, 8 October 2002; emphasis added.

5. Marshall, “Learning the Healer’s Art.”

6. Dallin H. Oaks, “ He Heals the Heavy Laden ,” Ensign, November 2006, 7–8.

7. Richard Stengel, Mandela’s Way: Fifteen Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage (New York: Crown Publishers, 2009), 15.

8. Stengel, Mandela’s Way, 14.

9. Stengel, Mandela’s Way, 17. For other great references on the inspiring yet imperfect life of Nelson Mandela and the healing = courage + action + grace transfiguration of South Africa, I recommend John Carlin, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation (New York: Penguin Press, 2008), as well as Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela (Boston: Little, Brown, 1994), which is quite lengthy but excellent. Sports enthusiasts will love ESPN’s 30 for 30 episode from 2010 called “The 16th Man,” a tremendous documentary on Mandela’s role in the 1995 Rugby World Cup and its positive influence on South Africa.

10. M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values, and Spiritual Growth (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978), 131; see also Rollo May, The Courage to Create (New York: Norton, 1975), 12.

11. William J. Doherty, Soul Searching: Why Psychotherapy Must Promote Moral Responsibility (New York: Basic Books, 1995), 71.

12. C. Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are (Center City, Minnesota: Hazelden, 2010), 9.

13. For an excellent description of these self‑defeating beliefs and how they bring misery, see page 106 of David D. Burns, When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life (New York: Broadway Books, 2006):

1. Performance Perfectionism. I must never fail or make a mistake.

2. Perceived Perfectionism. People won’t love or accept me if I’m flawed or vulnerable.

3. Achievement Addiction. My worth as a human being depends on my achievements, intelligence, talent, status, income, or looks.

This citation is listed in the reference list under depression and anxiety. We seem to specialize in these three self-defeating beliefs here at BYU, but all of us can change the way we see things to a healthier and more compassionate perspective.

14. Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson (New York: Doubleday, 1997), 35–36. This beautiful little book is a must-read that I have assigned in many classes. I would also recommend the movie by the same title, starring Jack Lemmon and Hank Azaria and produced by Oprah Winfrey. It is wonderful. A quote from page 43 is also instructive:

So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.

15. See Tyler J. Jarvis, “ That’s How the Light Gets In ,” BYU devotional address, 9 July 2013, and also Kristin L. Matthews, “ The Worth of Souls Is Great ,” BYU devotional address, 6 August 2013; see also Jeffry H. Larson, “ What Do You Expect?: A Key to Personal Happiness ,” BYU devotional address, 14 July 2009.

16. Thomas S. Monson, “ The Call for Courage, ” Ensign, May 2004, 55–56.

17. Marjorie Pay Hinckley, Small and Simple Things (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003), 50.

18. For a delightful children’s book on overcoming the dominant culture’s view and on learning to trust how the Lord sees us, read Max Lucado, You Are Special (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1997).

19. See David A. Bednar, “ Watching with All Perseverance ,” Ensign, May 2010, 40–43. Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught on page 42 this principle (the importance of acting) repeatedly and with power:

In the grand division of all of God’s creations, there are “things to act and things to be acted upon” ( 2 Nephi 2:14 ). As children of our Heavenly Father, we have been blessed with the gift of moral agency, the capacity and power of independent action. Endowed with agency, we are agents, and we primarily are to act and not merely be acted upon.

20. See Boyd K. Packer, “The Edge of the Light,” BYU Today, March 1991, 22–24, 38–43; see also Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980), 184.

In his great BYU fireside address “The Edge of the Light,” given on March 4, 1990, President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described a moment (on pages 22–23) in which he learned the importance of acting in faith:

Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Elder Harold B. Lee for counsel. He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do.

I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, “The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.” I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: “You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.”

That, in essence, is the definition of acting in faith.

21. For an excellent book on the need to keep living and acting, the need to develop a wonderful life while living a single life, read Kristen McMain Oaks, A Single Voice: The Unexpected Life Is No Less a Life (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2008). This book has been very helpful for a number of young single adult sisters.

22. Over many years clients have told me again and again that the most helpful talk they have seen about pornography is James M. Harper, “Secret Shame: Isolation from Self,” a talk given at a BYU Cyber Secrets conference, Cyber Secrets: The Problem of Pornography, 18 February 2003, youtube.com/watch?v=kzNKTOPVKZM. This talk helps us understand that pornography is used as an escape from difficult or unpleasant emotional experiences. Most often pornography use is not an issue of hypersexuality, per se, but an issue of ineffective coping strategies for the difficulties of life. Most men I have worked with who look at pornography do it to cope because they do not have other healthy coping skills. Unfortunately, the use turns into a cycle of shame and acting out, as described by Dr. Harper. Please listen to the talk if you want to understand more and begin to heal. Also, there are a number of very helpful Book of Mormon scriptures that describe the process of deliverance in which the Lord delivers His people from bondage. Pay close attention to your part in the process of deliverance (see Mosiah 7:33 ; Mosiah 29:19–20 ; 3 Nephi 4:30–33 ). You may wish to also look up all the scriptures in the Topical Guide under “deliver, deliverance.”

23. C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (New York: Macmillan, 1977), 61 (end of chapter 13).

24. For a wonderful BYU devotional address on prayer, see Bruce D. Porter, “ Did You Think to Pray ?” 4 December 2012.

25. “ Did You Think to Pray? Hymns, 2002, no. 140.

26. Bible Dictionary, s.v. “ prayer, ” 753.

27. I have found Mary Jane Woodger’s article on mighty prayer to be very helpful in teaching me how to pray with more sincerity, directness, and power. It is entitled “ What I Have Learned About Mighty Prayer ,” Ensign, December 2006, 54–57. See also Richard G. Scott, “ Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer ,” Ensign, May 2007, 8–11.

28. Marcus Goodyear, “Mother Teresa, CEO: Doubt Is Not Despair If You Act,” 8 July 2011, retrieved from patheos.com/blogs/takeandread/2011/07/mother-teresa-ceo-doubt-is-not-despair-if-you-act; emphasis in original.

For another excellent work on the inspiring life of Mother Teresa in her own words, see Mother Teresa, A Simple Path, comp. Lucinda Vardey (New York: Ballantine Books, 1995). You might also like Leo Maasburg, Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait, trans. Michael J. Miller (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2011). Mother Teresa was also listed as one of seven giants in chapter 7 of Ted Stewart, The Mark of a Giant. Stewart’s chapter on Mother Teresa (pages 206–39) is an excellent description of her life.

29. When I was a sophomore at BYU in the early 1990s, Mrs. Rosa Parks visited campus to give a talk. I can tell you this: even as a young man with no real understanding of her place in history, I was overpowered by her presence and the greatness of her character. There was something electric in the air when she spoke. She was a small woman, advanced in age at the time, but she was powerful. It was a wonderful moment to be in her presence and to know that BYU had brought her to campus to share a message. I had no idea at that time how she would come to influence my life.

30. Jeanne Theoharis, The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks (Boston: Beacon Press, 2013), 68.

31. Bible Dictionary, s.v. “ grace ,” 697; emphasis added.

32. David A. Bednar, “In the Strength of the Lord,” BYU–Idaho devotional address, 8 January 2002.

33. I love this quote by Martin Luther King Jr. about the closeness we can feel to the Lord in the midst of struggles:

In recent months I have also become more and more convinced of the reality of a personal God. . . . Perhaps the suffering, frustration and agonizing moments which I have had to undergo occasionally as a result of my involvement in a difficult struggle have drawn me closer to God. Whatever the cause, God has been profoundly real to me in recent months. In the midst of outer dangers I have felt an inner calm and known resources of strength that only God could give. In many instances I have felt the power of God transforming the fatigue of despair into the buoyancy of hope. [“Pilgrimage to Nonviolence” (1960), in I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World, ed. James Melvin Washington (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1992), 61; see also chapter 6 on Martin Luther King Jr. in Stewart, Mark of a Giant, 157–205]

34. Thomas S. Monson, “ First Presidency Message: Christmas Gifts, Christmas Blessings, ” Ensign, December 1995, 4.

35. This principle was beautifully illustrated in C. Shane Reese, “ On the Measurements We Make in Life ,” BYU devotional address, 12 November 2013. In his talk Shane Reese described a difficult decision that weighed on the Reese family. Should he continue to teach at BYU or take his dream job as a statistician for an NFL football team? After much pondering, discussion, and prayer, Brother and Sister Reese decided to flip a coin. After the flip, the coin came to rest against a wall, directly on its side! He went on to describe:

We laughed (and cried) together [and realized] we had work left to do, and the Lord was not going to allow us to miss out on a growth opportunity. We . . . had one of the most powerful weeks of our married lives together as a trip to the temple and additional fervent prayer and fasting helped us. . . . We had a sweet and precious learning experience that the Lord had in store for us—on His timescale.

Can you see the Lord’s grace made manifest in allowing the Reese family to struggle a bit longer with a key decision? They found courage to act in faith, even amidst uncertainty, and the Lord’s grace was made manifest.

I have also found S. Michael Wilcox’s little book When Your Prayers Seem Unanswered (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006) to be very helpful in explaining why the Lord sometimes waits until “the fourth watch” ( Matthew 14:25 ) to come to us.

36. For a beautiful and touching example of faith, perseverance, and love during hard times, please take the time to read Dallan R. Moody, “ What Happens When Life Gets One Degree Colder ?” BYU devotional address, 6 March 2012.

In a similar way, sometimes Christ’s grace is made manifest through trimming. I have long been inspired, and troubled, by this verse in the New Testament: “Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” ( John 15:2 ). Even if we are growing and doing well, the Lord will trim and prune us so we can bear even more fruit. Like it or not, this is a manifestation of His grace and love. We worship a God who is involved in the details of our lives. My favorite story regarding the importance of God trimming and pruning in our lives comes from President Hugh B. Brown’s currant bush story in “God Is the Gardener,” BYU commencement address, 31 May 1968, 6–7, and in Hugh B. Brown, “The Currant Bush,” New Era, January 1973, 14–15. In the midst of tremendous confusion, disappointment, and sadness, Hugh B. Brown turned toward God rather than away. This is a story in which there is clear evidence of the Savior’s grace. The courage to act—in a way that moves us toward God and not away from Him—is a sure way to open the door to grace and subsequent healing.

37. A few thoughts on feeling abandoned: On the list of questions I have for the Lord, if and when I make it to heaven, is why experiencing a sense of abandonment is so important to our spiritual growth. Our Savior (see Matthew 27:46 ; D&C 133:50 ), Joseph Smith (see D&C 121 and 122 ), Mother Teresa (see Marcus Goodyear quote), and other good souls have described times in their lives when they felt abandoned by Heavenly Father. At least in Joseph Smith’s case, he was pretty angry about it (see D&C 121:1–3 ). I am not sure what the answer will be, but I do know this: if the Savior and other great and honorable people have gone through it, I can expect to as well.

As I have wrestled in and through my own moments of feeling forsaken, I have learned that my desire to live by true principles must be stronger than my particular emotional or spiritual state of the moment. As a client once told me in describing her childhood trauma of physical and sexual abuse, “I used to see myself as a victim, but I didn’t like that. I then saw myself as a survivor, but survivors have only made it through. I wanted more than that. I now see myself as a veteran, and I would like a monument placed in my honor.” Somewhere on the road from victim (things happen to us outside of our control and against our will) to victor (we honorably struggled through a trial to emerge as better people) lies the thorny road of forsakenness.

I really like the insight provided by Elder David A. Bednar in “A Reservoir of Living Water,” CES fireside address, 4 February 2007, 5–6. This talk can bring understanding and peace in those moments when we feel abandoned. And the Richard G. Scott talk “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer” also speaks powerfully to this point.

38. The divine communication from the Lord saying “Stay with me” is described beautifully in “A Personal Experience: Ty’s Story” at mormonsandgays.org. I recommend this story because it powerfully describes a path of courage, action, and healing. I thank Ty for his ongoing strength and courage.

39. For an excellent talk on the love and grace of God in our lives, see Terence M. Vinson, “ Drawing Closer to God ,” Ensign, November 2013, 104–6.

Additional References By Topic

Adversity—How to Grow from It

Carlfred Broderick, The Uses of Adversity (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2008); also included as chapter 12 in Broderick, My Parents Married on a Dare: And Other Favorite Essays on Life (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1996), 121–43.

Gene R. Cook, “The Love of God: Suffering Tribulation in the Redeemer’s Name,” BYU devotional address, 1 February 2005.

Jeffrey R. and Patricia T. Holland, “However Long and Hard the Road,” BYU devotional address, 18 January 1983.

Dallin H. Oaks, “Adversity,” BYU devotional address, 17 January 1995.

Dennis E. Simmons, “ But If Not . . . ,” Ensign, May 2004, 73–75.

Lance B. Wickman, “ But If Not ,” Ensign, November 2002, 30–32.

Depression and Anxiety

Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson (New York: Doubleday, 1997).

C. Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are (Center City, Minnesota: Hazelden, 2010).

David D. Burns, When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life (New York: Broadway Books, 2006). (For anxiety.)

David D. Burns, The Feeling Good Handbook: Using the New Mood Therapy in Everyday Life (New York: William Morrow, 1989). (For depression.)

Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning (Boston: Beacon Press, 2006).

Jeffrey R. Holland, “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence,” BYU devotional address, 2 March 1999.

Jeffrey R. Holland, “ Like a Broken Vessel ,” Ensign, November 2013, 40–42.

Jeffry H. Larson, “What Do You Expect?: A Key to Personal Happiness,” BYU devotional address, 14 July 2009.

Diversity—Its Value and Worth to BYU and the Church

Brigham Young University, “Enriched Environment,” multicultural.byu.edu/content/enriched-environment.

Larry EchoHawk, “An Unexpected Gift,” BYU devotional address, 7 August 2007.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Race and the Priesthood,” lds.org/topics/race-and-the-priesthood.

Gérald Caussé, “ Ye Are No More Strangers ,” Ensign, November 2013, 49–51.

Doubts—How to Successfully Deal with Them

Bruce C. Hafen, “Love Is Not Blind: Some Thoughts for College Students on Faith and Ambiguity,” BYU devotional address, 9 January 1979.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Reflection in the Water,” CES devotional address, 1 November 2009.

Faith in Jesus Christ—Trusting Him and His Plan for Us

Dallan R. Moody, “What Happens When Life Gets One Degree Colder?” BYU devotional address, 6 March 2012.

Dallin H. Oaks, “Timing,” BYU devotional address, 29 January 2002.

Boyd K. Packer, “The Edge of the Light,” BYU Today, March 1991, 22–24, 38–43.

Virginia H. Pearce, “ Faith Is the Answer ,” Ensign, May 1994, 92–94.

Forgiveness

James E. Faust, “ The Healing Power of Forgiveness ,” Ensign, May 2007, 67–69.

Jeffrey R. Holland, “Remember Lot’s Wife,” BYU devotional address, 13 January 2009.

David E. Sorensen, “ Forgiveness Will Change Bitterness to Love ,” Ensign, May 2003, 10–12.

Grace—Enabling and Strengthening Power from Jesus Christ

David A. Bednar, “In the Strength of the Lord,” BYU–Idaho devotional address, 8 January 2002.

D. Todd Christofferson, “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread,” CES devotional address, 9 January 2011.

Henry B. Eyring, “Come unto Christ,” BYU fireside address, 29 October 1989.

Gordon B. Lindsay, “And Always Remember Him,” BYU devotional address, 26 July 2005.

Truman G. Madsen, “The Savior, the Sacrament, and Self-Worth,” BYU Women’s Conference address, 1999.

Boyd K. Packer, “ The Balm of Gilead ,” Ensign, November 1977, 59–61.

Elaine S. Marshall, “Learning the Healer’s Art,” BYU devotional address, 8 October 2002.

Dale E. Miller, “ Bringing Peace and Healing to Your Soul ,” Ensign, November 2004, 12–14.

Dallin H. Oaks, “ He Heals the Heavy Laden ,” Ensign, November 2006, 6–9.

Marriage and Family—The Importance of and How To

Julie B. Beck, “Teaching the Doctrine of the Family,” broadcast address to seminary and institute of religion teachers, 4 August 2009; published in Our Homes, Our Families section, Ensign, March 2011, 12–17.

David A. Bednar, “Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: Supporting the Family, 11 February 2006; published in Ensign, June 2006, 82–87.

F. Burton Howard, “ Eternal Marriage ,” Ensign, May 2003, 92–94.

Susan M. Johnson, Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love (New York: Little, Brown, 2008).

Richard B. Miller, “Repentance and Forgiveness in Marriage,” BYU devotional address, 19 January 2010.

Russell M. Nelson, “ Nurturing Marriage ,” Ensign, May 2006, 36–38.

Pornography

James M. Harper, “Secret Shame: Isolation from Self,” a talk given at the 2003 BYU Cyber Secrets conference, Cyber Secrets: The Problem of Pornography, 18 February 2003, youtube.com/watch?v=kzNKTOPVKZM.

Dallin H. Oaks, “ Pornography ,” Ensign, May 2005, 87–90.

Boyd K. Packer, an address given at the priesthood session of general conference, 2 October 1976, and published in a pamphlet, To Young Men Only (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1976).

Richard G. Scott, “ To Be Free of Heavy Burdens, ” Ensign, November 2002, 86–88.

The Church of Jesus Christ, Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts, pamphlet (2006), lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/content/english/family/family-well-being/combatting-pornography/pdf/LetVirtueGarnishThyThoughts.pdf.

The Church of Jesus Christ Family Services Addiction Recovery Program, addictionrecovery.lds.org/?lang=eng.

Same-Gender Attraction

The Church of Jesus Christ Statements on Same‑Sex Attraction

The Church of Jesus Christ, God Loveth His Children, pamphlet (2007), lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/04824_eng.pdf.

The Church of Jesus Christ, Gospel Topics page, lds.org/topics/same-gender-attraction?lang=eng.

The Church of Jesus Christ, interview with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Lance B. Wickman, “Same-Gender Attraction,” (2006), mormonnewsroom.org/article/interview-oaks-wickman-same-gender-attraction.

The Church of Jesus Christ, “Love One Another: A Discussion on Same-Sex Attraction,” mormonsandgays.org.

The Church of Jesus Christ, “Policies on Moral Issues,” Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 21.4.5, 21.4.6, 21.4.10 (pp. 195–96), lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/08702_eng.pdf?lang=eng.

The Church of Jesus Christ, news release, “Church Responds to HRC Petition: Statement on Same-Sex Attraction” (12 October 2010), mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-mormon-responds-to-human-rights-campaign-petition-same-sex-attraction.

Jeffrey R. Holland, “Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction,” Ensign, October 2007, 42–45.

Dallin H. Oaks, “Same-Gender Attraction,” Ensign, October 1995, 6–14.

Dallin H. Oaks, “He Heals the Heavy Laden,” Ensign, November 2006, 6–9.

Voice(s) of Hope, ldsvoicesofhope.org/index.php?si=yes, for inspiring first-person accounts of hope.

Trauma, Loss, and Abuse—How to Recover and Find Hope

Rachel Naomi Remen, “Lot’s Wife,” in My Grandfather’s Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging (New York: Riverhead Books, 2000), 36–38.

Susan M. Johnson, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Trauma Survivors: Strengthening Attachment Bonds (New York: Guilford Press, 2002).

Richard G. Scott, “Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse,” Ensign, May 1992, 31–33.

Richard G. Scott, “The Sanctity of Womanhood,” Ensign, May 2000, 36–38.

Richard G. Scott, “To Heal the Shattering Consequences of Abuse,” Ensign, May 2008, 40–43.

Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Sunday Will Come,” Ensign, November 2006, 28–30.

Word of God—Power to Heal and Comfort

Neil L. Andersen, “Hold Fast to the Words of the Prophets,” CES devotional address, 4 March 2007.

David A. Bednar, “A Reservoir of Living Water,” CES devotional address, 4 February 2007.

Howard W. Hunter, “Reading the Scriptures,” Ensign, November 1979, 64–65.

Jonathan G. Sandberg was a professor in the BYU School of Family Life when this devotional address was given on 21 January 2014.

Collection: Overcoming Adversity

Podcast: Overcoming Adversity

Inspiring Short: The Courageous Faith of Martin Luther King Jr.

Related Speeches

Spiritual Leprosy

Building a Beloved Community

Build Strong Mindset

12 Best Motivational Speeches that will change your life in 2023

Motivational speeches always work like a game changer in a lot of people’s life. Most people when feeling stuck and depressed in life always prefer to lesson to a speech that can help them feel good and confident about themselves.

I know that motivation is a short time and it will not help you achieve your goal but when you feel down in your life, you need some powerful words that can reenergize you and push you towards your goal. That is where motivational speeches help you bounce back from the down phase in your life.

In this article, I am going to share the list of the top 12 best motivational speeches given by great personalities in the world. These speeches motivated so many people to take action toward their goals and I am also one of them. Let’s see the list of speeches one by one –

Table of Contents

Top 12 Best Motivational Speeches

Motivation is very important for every individual on this planet whether you are in sports, politics, an actor, a businessman, doing a job, a student, etc. Whatever might be your field there is a time when you feel demotivated and stuck because you can’t get the expected results.

Everyone on this planet goes through such down phases in life where they feel completely lost and demotivated. How do most people come out of such phases? either they talk with their family members/friends or listen to motivational speeches on the internet.

We love motivational speeches because the story in the speech resonates with our own struggles in life. The speaker talks about their life experiences and how they overcome different challenges in their life to achieve their goal.

Their life experiences resonate with us which gives us clarity in our life. Ultimately these speeches give us the motivation to perform better in our professional and personal life. It gives us the energy to bounce back from failure and down phases in life.

So, It doesn’t matter in which field you are working being motivated is super important to give your best performance at work and to face difficult challenges in life.

Now let me share the list of the best 12 motivational speeches given by extraordinary people from different fields that will change your life forever.

1. Steve Jobs

This is one of the most loved motivational speeches of all time. In his 2005 commencement speech at Standford university, Steve Jobs shared three inspiring stories from his life that made him successful in life.

The first story was about connecting the dots where he talks about after dropping out of college how he took a calligraphy class which later influenced the design of the macintosh computer (1st popular product from apple).

The second story was about failure. How he was fired from his own company and how he felt like a failure. The lesson he learned from this is failure is never the end of life. It is the chance to learn something new, build something new and lead to new opportunities in life.

In the third story, he was talking about his battle with cancer and how that made him appreciate the time he had left. He motivated the graduates that don’t waste their time by doing things they don’t like to do. Find your passion and follow it because life is too short.

Watch this speech here – Steve Jobs (2005 Standford Commencement)

2. J.K Rowling

J.k. Rowlings world’s first millionaire author of harry potter books. In her 2008 commencement speech at Harvard, she discusses the importance of failure and the power of imagination for success.

She shares her personal failure experience in life when she got rejected multiple times from different publication houses for her harry potter series and after so many rejections and struggles later she became a millionaire author.

Rowling encouraged the entire audience that embraces failure, face it and not let it define them. In her speech, she also emphasized the importance of imagination and the power it has to change the world.

Throughout the speech, she encouraged the audience to never give up on their dreams and to believe that they can achieve anything in life with determination and resilience.

Watch this speech here – J.K. Rowling (2008 Harvard Commencement speech)

3. Sandip Maheshwari

Sandip Maheshwari is India’s one of most popular motivational speakers and holds a Guinness book of world record for the highest watched motivational speech on youtube. He delivered one of the best transformative and motivational speeches of all time in 2013.

Through his captivating storytelling, he delved into the depths of the human mind and revealed the secrets to unlocking our full potential. He emphasized the importance of taking control of our thoughts and emotions and how doing that can lead to a life of fulfillment and success.

Sandip urged the audience to let go of limiting beliefs, pursue their passions, as well as never give up on themselves and embrace a mindset of unlimited possibilities. With his dynamic and passionate delivery, Sandip inspired the audience to take action and make positive changes in their lives.

He reminded everyone that true freedom and happiness can only be found within ourselves. His words were a powerful reminder to break free from our fears and limitations and to live life to the fullest.

Watch this speech here – Sandip Maheshwari (Last life-changing seminar)

4. Denzel Washington

In his speech at the University of Pennsylvania, Denzel Washington spoke about the importance of education and hard work in achieving long-term success in life. Denzel emphasized the importance of setting goals, making a plan to achieve them, and not giving up when faced with obstacles.

He also spoke about the importance of having a strong work ethic, being dedicated to one’s craft, and staying true to oneself. Denzel also shared the personal experiences and life lessons he has learned throughout his career.

He encouraged the entire audience to always focus on learning and to never stop pursuing their dreams, as success is not guaranteed and must be earned through hard work, determination and perseverance.

Watch this speech here – Denzel Washington (University of Pennsylvania speech)

5. Will Smith

This speech is actually a scene from the movie ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ starring Hollywood star Will smith. In this movie, Will smith’s character Chris Gardner delivers a powerful message to his son about the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.

He speaks about his struggle as a single father trying to make ends meet and how he never gave up hope despite the many challenges he faced. Will Smith encourages his son to never give up on dreams and to always strive for happiness, no matter how difficult the Journey is.

He concludes the conversation with his son by saying “Don’t ever let somebody tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me All right? you got a dream, you gotta protect it. When people can’t do something themselves, they are going to tell you that you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.”

Watch this powerful message here – Will Smith (Pursuit of Happiness)

6. Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey one of the most loved comedians/actors around the world gave a super inspiring commencement speech at Maharishi University of Management in 2014.

He urged graduates to embrace their fears and pursue their passions, telling them “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

Jim shared his own life journey of following his dreams, and how he faced rejection and failure before achieving success. He also talked about the importance of living in the present moment and the power of positive thinking in life.

Jim encouraged the audience to not let fear and uncertainty hold them back and to trust in their own abilities to achieve their goals. He ended one of the best motivational speeches with the powerful message “You can not be really alive until you are living on the edge.”

Watch this speech here – Jim Carrey ( Maharishi University of Management )

7. Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek is a New York Times best-selling author and Leadership coach, he always talks about Leadership in business. He gave one of the best motivational speeches on leadership and that speech is available on his youtube channel.

In his speech, he emphasizes the importance of understanding the game you are playing as a leader. He argues that too many leaders are operating without a clear understanding of their role and the rules of the leadership game they are playing.

Simon Sinek highlights the point that in order to be an effective leader, you must understand the game you are in and be able to communicate that to your team. He also highlights the importance of having a clear vision and purpose for your team, which will help your team understand their roles.

Sinek concludes the speech by urging leaders to take the time to understand the game they are in and to be clear and consistent in communicating that understanding to their team.

Watch this speech here – Simon Sinek ( Leadership speech )

8. Les Brown

Les Brown is considered one of the greatest motivational speakers of all time. His motivational speech on Goalcast’s youtube channel is so inspiring, in which Les brown encourages listeners to push through difficult times in life and never give up on their dreams.

He reminds all the listeners that hard times are a natural part of life and everyone goes through them at some point of time in their life. However, it’s important to remember that these challenges are opportunities for growth and development.

He emphasizes that the key to getting through hard times is to have a positive attitude, be resilient, and stay focused on your goals. Les Brown also highlights the importance of a support system in life like friends, family, and mentor to help you through the tough times.

He concludes his powerful speech by reminding everyone that we all are capable of overcoming any obstacle in life and achieving our dreams with a strong belief and with never give up attitude.

Watch this speech here – Les Brown ( Motivational speech )

9. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. He shared his amazing journey on the motivation hub youtube channel where he encourages the viewers to never give up on their dreams and to always strive for success.

He stresses the importance of setting goals, working hard, and believing in oneself. He also shares his personal journey in which how he overcomes all the obstacles and setbacks in life to become a successful bodybuilder and actor.

Arnold encourages the viewers to be persistent and to never, let anyone tell them they can’t achieve their goals. He reminds them that they have the power to create their own destiny and to never give up on their dreams.

Overall this is one of the best motivational speeches that tell you why you should never give up on your dreams and you should always strive for success.

Watch this speech here – Arnold’s speech on Motivationhub

10. Admiral McRaven

Admiral McRaven is a retired Navy seal who gave an amazing speech 4 years back and that speech is available on Goalcast’s youtube channel. This speech is a complete experience of Admiral McRaven learning as a Navy Seal.

It is the most powerful and motivational speech that encourages individuals to start their day with a small task like making their bed in the morning because such small tasks set the tone for a productive and successful day.

He explains how completing small tasks can lead to a sense of accomplishment and how that sense of accomplishment can build momentum and lead to bigger and more meaningful achievements.

Admiral uses his own experiences from basic training in the Navy seal to illustrate how small actions can lead to greater success, and how developing discipline and a strong work ethic can help one overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

This is one of the most practical motivational speeches I have ever seen that gives you a powerful reminder of focusing on taking small steps toward your goal creates a big positive impact on your life in the long term.

Watch this speech here – Admiral McRaven (Make Your Bed)

11. Jay Shetty

Jay Shetty is one of the most popular self-help authors and motivational speakers. 2 years back he gave a thought-provoking speech in which he encourages the audience to find their purpose in life and to pursue it with passion and determination.

He reminds the audience that life is not just about going through the motions, but about making a real impact and leaving a lasting legacy. Jay explains that purpose is not something that is given to us, it is something that we have to discover for ourselves.

It is our own responsibility to look inside to explore passion and interest and be open to new life experiences. He also emphasizes the importance of taking action toward our purpose and not just dreaming about it.

Jay encourages the audience to set goals, work hard and be persistent in the face of challenges and obstacles. He also encourages everyone to be of service to others and use their purpose to make a positive impact on the world. Because by living a purposeful life, we can find true happiness in life.

Watch this speech here – J ay Shetty (Find your purpose)

12. Muniba Mazari

Muniba Mazari is a social activist and motivational speaker who delivered a powerful speech on the topic of ‘perfectly imperfect’. She spoke about society puts pressure on individuals to be perfect in every aspect of life and how this pressure can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem .

Muniba shared her own personal story of overcoming this fad of being perfect. She spoke about her car accident incident that left her paralyzed and how that experience taught her the true beauty and strengths that come from embracing her own imperfections and using them to become the best version of herself.

Through her powerful words, Muniba reminded the audience that it’s okay to be imperfect and it’s through our imperfection that we can find true meaning and purpose in life. She urged everyone to embrace their own unique journey no matter what challenges they may face.

Watch this speech here – Muniba Mazari (You are all perfectly imperfect)

Conclusion

Whether you are looking to overcome fear and self-doubt , achieve your goals, or find your purpose, these top 12 motivational speeches will inspire you to take action and make positive changes in your life.

Each of these speakers shared a unique perspective with the common belief that ‘you have the power to shape your own destiny’. So take time to listen to these motivational speeches and let them be your sources of motivation for you as you work toward your goals.

If you found this article useful then please share it in your network and subscribe to get more such articles every week.

Time management technique: 10 ways to manage your time

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.

16 Most Life-Changing Motivational Speeches and What You’ll Gain From Them

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.

“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.”

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.

“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.

“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’”

“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.

Subscribe to Our Blog

Stay up to date with the latest marketing, sales, and service tips.

16 Inspirational Speeches for Career and Life Lessons (+ Speaker Traits)

Erika Giles | July 9, 2020 | Inspiration | 11 min read

The Most Inspirational Speeches of All Time

1. J.K. Rowling – Harvard University
2. Jim Carrey – Maharishi University
3. Steve Jobs – Stanford University
4. Al Pacino – Any Given Sunday
5. Tony Robbins – TED Talk
6. Will Smith – The Pursuit of Happiness
7. Matthew McConaughey – University of Houston
8. Sylvester Stallone – Rocky Balboa
9. Denzel Washington – University of Pennsylvania
10. Yoda – The Empire Strikes Back
11. Elizabeth Gilbert – TED Talk, 2009
12. Michelle Obama – Eastern Kentucky University
13. David Goggins – Driven
14. Peter Dinklage – Bennington College
15. John Roberts – Cardigan Mountain School
16. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - LA Lakers

Being motivated at work and in life is crucial for your performance. This is true when you have an approaching deadline, an important meeting, or customers depending on you.

The power of words can physically and emotionally rejuvenate you. Inspirational speeches can guide you to keep performing at your best and drive your team to achieve their goals . The right words at the right time can change you and challenge you.

No matter what is thrown at you in life, you can use these speeches to stay motivated.

How Inspiration Impacts People

Inspiration helps propel people forward. It pushes apathy away and awakens people to new and exciting possibilities. They're able to transcend their limitations and mundane lives.

It can help all people to become more creative and help them to progress toward their goals if they are open to it.

Although inspiration impacts people in several meaningful and often magical ways, it is not something as elusive as it seems. Inspiration is everywhere, and it can be captured, activated, and manipulated.

Most often, inspiration is found in others who say something or do something thought provoking and meaningful.

What Makes a Speech Inspirational?

Great inspirational speeches all include one key thing – emotions . Emotions motivate actions and beliefs in any given aspect of life. Inspirational speeches are often loaded with tales of struggle, resilience, trials, endurance, and breakthroughs. All things that most people can relate to.

The philosopher, Aristotle, once said that people tend to believe in people who can be perceived as trustworthy or in those who have proper values and morals. This means that speakers who understand the concerns their audience has and empathizes with them are more likely to connect with their audience and gain their trust.

Speakers who select emotional themes and talking points that people can relate to are more likely to inspire those in the audience with their stories.

The key to this is making others feel as though they aren’t alone, and that they too can overcome the roadblocks in their way because someone else has. Hope is one of the most powerful emotions that sparks inspiration.

Next, comes an excellent oral delivery. Facial expressions, tone of voice, and appropriate pausing all help to make a speech that much more effective and inspirational.

7 Qualities of the Best Motivational Speakers

Here are seven traits, qualities, and characteristics that some of the best motivational speakers have.

1. They Tell Great Stories.

The ability to tell a great story is one of the core qualities that a motivational speaker needs to help add value to the lives of listeners. Motivational speakers tell original stories to provide the audience with fresh and relevant information.

More importantly, the best motivational speakers paint a picture that lets the audience put themselves into the story so they can feel the emotions to understand the lesson better.

2. They Are Passionate About What They Do.

Great speakers are often passionate about wanting to change others for the better, and the amount of passion a speaker has translates into their presentation. The audience can tell when a speaker is passionate about their subject matter because it will reflect in the speaker’s enthusiasm and excitement when they perform.

Passion is infectious, and when a great speaker is passionate, it inspires the audience to cultivate passion as well.

3. They Are Confident.

It is essential that motivational speakers have confidence in themselves and in their message.

Audience members can tell when speakers are nervous or unsure about what they are doing or saying. This automatically causes the audience to doubt the speaker, and it may invalidate the message.

Great speakers have confidence that reflects in their speech and gestures while they are on stage, which in turn inspires confidence in the audience. It helps to engage them and makes them believe in what the speaker is saying.

4. They Are Self-Aware.

A great motivational speaker understands who they are and knows exactly what they stand for. They are also aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

They use their strengths to make a speech more effective, and they work on improving their weaknesses.

5. They Show Empathy.

A defining mark of a great motivational speaker is their ability to put themselves in the shoes of those in their audience. They do their best to understand their audience’s motivation, fears, hopes, challenges, and worries.

This helps them tailor their speech to appeal to and inspire their audience. Empathetic speakers are also individuals who have gone through what they talk about.

They have been where the audience is, and they understand what that is like, which helps make a pure connection with them.

6. They Possess Knowledge.

Any motivational speaker must remain up to date and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. Motivational speakers aren’t born; they are made.

This means that they must grow and learn to become an expert with great knowledge and insight to share with others.

7. They Have a Sense of Humor.

Motivational speeches tend to discuss serious topics, and great speakers know how to add fun anecdotes or jokes when it is appropriate to do so.

Humor often makes a speech more memorable. Plus, it enthralls listeners, and everyone likes someone with a good sense of humor.

16 of the Best Inspirational Speeches of All Time

We all need some inspiration from time to time. If you are in need of inspiration, look no further than these 16 best inspirational speeches of all time.

1. J.K. Rowling – Harvard University

It's well known that J.K. Rowling's famous Harry Potter series was turned down by several publishers before it was finally accepted. But before her success, she was in a dire situation and was on the brink of bankruptcy.

Despite constant rejection, she kept trying and finally her efforts paid off. Her Harvard speech delivered some valuable life lessons about not fearing failure and persevering no matter how bad things get.

2. Jim Carrey – Maharishi University

Actor/comedian Jim Carrey gave one of the most unique and emotional commencement speeches ever at Maharishi University in Iowa.

In his speech , he offered the students powerful and inspiring words about life, the future, and urged them never to settle for anything less than what they want. His message: Never give up and follow your dreams!

3. Steve Jobs – Stanford University

This is one of the greatest inspirational speeches! In his commencement speech , Jobs discussed how he dropped out of college after six months, then took another 18 months to figure out what his life's work would be.

He quit college because his parents were struggling financially, and he couldn't see the value in an education that was draining his parents life savings.

His speech talked of the setbacks in life, including death, and how being aware of death can help you make better choices in life. At the time, Jobs was dying of pancreatic cancer, and his inspirational words on the importance of acquiring knowledge and following your dreams was the best life lesson he could bestow upon the graduates.

4. Al Pacino – Any Given Sunday

This movie features an inspirational speech about how even the simplest things can inch you closer to your dream.

Pacino's speech motivated the players on his football team to do whatever it takes to win. The takeaway? The little things you do every day will lead you to success.

5. Tony Robbins – TED Talk

Tony Robbins is one of the most famous motivational speakers around. This TED talk is particularly inspirational. It's topic, “Why We Do What We Do,” asks two key questions: What drives you? What motivates you to do your daily tasks?

By asking these questions, we're able to explore ourselves and appreciate others. The takeaway? We are our own path to success!

6. Will Smith – The Pursuit of Happiness

Considered one of the best motivational speeches in film, this scene starts with Smith and his son playing basketball. When his son shouts “I'm going pro,” Smith decides to try and temper his son's expectations, telling him he never excelled at basketball, so he shouldn't expect to.

His son is visibly disappointed, and Smith launches into his speech proclaiming, “Don't ever let somebody tell you that you can't do something, not even me.” He tells his son, “You got a dream, you gotta protect it. You want something, go get it. Period.”

The takeaway? Only you can decide to chase a dream. No one can stop you besides yourself.

7. Matthew McConaughey – University of Houston

McConaughey delivered some pertinent points in his speech to the graduating class, but the one that really stuck out was "joy being a constant approach." He said, ”Joy is always in process; it's always under construction."

He spoke of how he takes everything one step at a time when he's making a film, and how when he truly enjoys his craft, things just fall into place. The takeaway? “Define success for yourself.” Figure out what you want to achieve and enjoy the entire journey.

8. Sylvester Stallone – Rocky Balboa

In the sixth film in the Rocky franchise, Stallone gives one of the most inspirational speeches of all time. He starts with, “The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows,” and goes on to talk about the value of hard work and commitment.

“It ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” The takeaway? Even when your back is up against the wall, winners never give up!

9. Denzel Washington – University of Pennsylvania

In this commencement speech, Denzel Washington speaks about how nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks, adding that when you fall in life, fall forward . He speaks of embracing failure and using it as a chance to learn.

This is especially true when it comes to being an entrepreneur. The most important thing isn't winning or losing, it's getting out there and giving it everything you've got!

10. Yoda – The Empire Strikes Back

Ok, you can't have a list of inspirational speeches without at least one offering from Yoda!

In this speech from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back , Yoda is teaching Luke about the ways of the force. The key teaching? Whether or not something can or can't be done is all in your head and your heart. If you believe in yourself, anything is possible!

The takeaway? In the words of Yoda, “Do or do not. There is no try.”

11. Elizabeth Gilbert – Ted Talk

Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of the bestselling book Eat, Pray, Love , gave an inspiring Ted Talk about the "genius" in all of us.

In her speech, she mentions that everyone can be a creative genius in their work and that the best years of our work and creativity are never behind us if we think of creative genius as something we borrow.

The key takeaways from Gilbert's speech are to not be daunted or afraid of success. Just keep showing up and doing the work that you love without the anguish of what it will turn into.

12. Michelle Obama – Eastern Kentucky University

In 2013, Michelle Obama addressed the graduating class of Eastern Kentucky University. She encouraged them to continue learning to challenge their perspectives, and she told them to find a way to turn their weaknesses into strengths.

The key takeaway from her speech is that the defining moments in your life will not be the moment you get the promotion or breakthrough to a classroom. They will be the days that you have to claw through to keep going.

As long as you keep working and pick yourself up when you fall down, then you will develop skills to apply to anything you do in life. And your resilience can be used in service to others.

13. David Goggins – Driven

David Goggins is a former Navy Seal and Army Ranger who participates in ultra-marathons. In his talk, he discusses suffering and how you can turn hurt into strength. He talks about how you can still be successful and happy without guidance if you just stay true to who you are because you define greatness.

The takeaway from Goggins' talk is that we all have greatness no matter what. You just have to find the courage through hard work and discipline.

14. Peter Dinklage – Bennington College

Peter Dinklage is an actor who is known for his role as Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones . He gave the 2012 commencement address at Bennington College.

In his address to the graduates, he discusses persistence and doing whatever it takes to get to where you want to be. He also mentions that you shouldn't wait until you are ready to do what you love.

The key lesson from his speech was to give yourself permission to fail early instead of waiting for permission. Show the world you're ready by doing it.

15. John Roberts – Cardigan Mountain School

John Roberts, Chief Justice of the United States, gave the commencement address at his son's high school in 2017. In his speech, he wishes the graduates bad luck instead of good luck.

He tells them that he hopes they will be lonely, fail, and lose from time to time. He says all of this to say that these things are the greatest teachers of compassion, true friendship, and sportsmanship.

The key takeaway from Roberts' speech is that there is always a message in your misfortunes, and you should not be afraid to fail. If you fail, you should get up and try again.

16. Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson - LA Lakers

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, tenured WWE superstar & mega Hollywood performer, gave an incredible speech to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019.

He speaks from the heart, about remembering where you came from, and letting that fuel the hard work you will put in to become successful.

Per usual, pure gold from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

These 16 inspirational speeches touch on three main themes. It's important to love what you're doing. Failure is only bad if you don't learn and continue to move forward. And finally, you need to want it!

Life is hard. If you want something bad enough, whether it's a job, a relationship, or a successful business, you need to prove it!

General FAQ

An inspirational speech will create a positive emotional experience for the audience that will resonate with them. Similarly, a motivational speech can inspire an audience by motivating them to take action on something.

What Are the Qualities of an Inspirational Speaker?

To be a great inspirational speaker, you should have:

A strong speaking voice
A good story to tell

How Do You Write an Inspirational Speech?

It's important to know who your audience is and what your message is going to be when writing an inspirational speech. Use should also employ storytelling techniques to evoke emotion into your speech.

Who Is the Most Motivational Speaker in the World?

It is often said that Tony Robbins is the most motivational speaker. Tony Robbins is known best for his TED talks and self-help books.

Erika Giles

Erika is a Marketing Copywriter at Bluleadz. She is a huge fan of houseplants and podcasts about conspiracy theories. She spends most of her free time reading, writing, and enjoying the outdoors.

More Leadership Insights

Can't find what you're looking for try using a keyword..

How to Cope with Traumatic Events

Coping with grief and loss.

Stress Management: How to Reduce and Relieve Stress

Stress Relief Guide

Social support for stress relief, 12 ways to reduce stress with music, coping with financial stress, benefits of mindfulness.

Online Therapy: Is it Right for You?
Mental Health
Health & Wellness
Children & Family
Relationships

Are you or someone you know in crisis?

Bipolar Disorder
Eating Disorders
Grief & Loss
Personality Disorders
PTSD & Trauma
Schizophrenia
Therapy & Medication
Exercise & Fitness
Healthy Eating
Well-being & Happiness
Weight Loss
Work & Career
Illness & Disability
Heart Health
Childhood Issues
Learning Disabilities
Family Caregiving
Teen Issues
Communication
Emotional Intelligence
Love & Friendship
Domestic Abuse
Healthy Aging
Aging Issues
Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia
Senior Housing
End of Life
Meet Our Team

Experiencing hardship and adversity

The role of resilience in times of crisis, building resilience tip 1: practice acceptance, tip 2: reach out to others, tip 3: invest in self-care, tip 4: look for meaning and purpose, tip 5: stay motivated, surviving tough times by building resilience.

Whether you’re facing a global or personal crisis—or a mix of both—building resilience can help you cope with stress, overcome adversity, and enjoy the better days to come.

Lately, the world seems to be lurching from one crisis to another. We’ve experienced a global pandemic, dramatic changes to how we conduct our daily lives, economic uncertainty, and political and social turmoil, as well as an array of natural disasters. Then there are personal traumas that people are also dealing with, such as the loss of a loved one, declining health, unemployment, divorce, violent crime, or tragic accidents. For many us, this is a time of unprecedented struggle and upheaval.

Whether the source of disruption in your life is a global emergency or a personal tragedy—or both—living through difficult times can take a heavy toll on your mood, health, and outlook. It can leave you feeling helpless and overwhelmed by stress and anxiety. You may be painfully grieving all that you’ve lost, flooded by a slew of difficult, conflicting emotions, or uncertain about how to move on with your life. You may even feel that your life is totally out of control and you’re powerless to affect whatever may happen next.

While there’s no way to avoid sorrow, adversity, or distress in life, there are ways to help smooth the rough waters and regain a sense of control. Resilience is the ability to cope with the loss, change, and trauma that have been inevitable parts of life even before these extraordinary times. Building resilience can help you better adapt to life-changing events, cope with turbulent times, and bounce back from hardship and tragedy.

Why do some people seem to be better able to cope in these troubling times than others? While everyone’s situation is different, it is true that people with resilience tend to have a higher tolerance for the emotional distress generated by hard times. The more resilient you are, the better you’re able to tolerate the feelings of stress, anxiety, and sadness that accompany trauma and adversity—and find a way to rebound from setbacks.

[Read: How to Cope with Traumatic Events]

We all go through bad times, we all experience disappointment, loss, and change, and we all feel sad, anxious, and stressed at various times in our lives. But building resilience can help you to maintain a positive outlook, face an uncertain future with less fear, and get through even the darkest days.

Speak to a Licensed Therapist

BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.

Building resilience

If you’re more sensitive to emotional distress and are finding it difficult to cope with hardship or adversity, it’s important not to think of it as some kind of character flaw. Resilience isn’t a macho quality and it isn’t fixed; it’s an ongoing process that requires effort to build and maintain over time.

Unless you’ve faced adversity in your life before, it’s unlikely you’ve had the need or opportunity to develop resilience. Drawing on past experiences can help you cope with the challenges you’re facing today. Even if you’ve struggled to cope with adversity in the past, you may at least be able to recognize some of the ways of coping that DON’T help, such as trying to numb your feelings with drugs or alcohol .

While it’s often difficult to imagine anything good coming out of traumatic experiences, building resilience can help you find any positives in the difficulties you’ve faced. Surviving hardships can teach you important things about yourself and the world around you, strengthen your resolve, deepen your empathy, and in time enable you to evolve and grow as a human being.

Building resilience can also help you to:

Stay focused, flexible, and productive, in both good and bad times.
Feel less afraid of new experiences or an uncertain future.
Manage and tolerate strong emotions outside your comfort zone, even those you’d rather avoid like anger or despair.
Strengthen your relationships and improve your communication skills, especially under pressure.
Bolster your self-esteem.
Be confident you’ll eventually find a solution to a problem, even when one isn’t immediately apparent.

You can develop and improve these qualities of resilience at any time, regardless of your age, background, or circumstances. The following tips can help you face hardships with more confidence, better cope with these tumultuous times, and make it through to the brighter, more hopeful days ahead.

While we all react to stressful events in different ways, many of us try to protect ourselves by refusing to accept the truth of what’s happening. After all, by denying that you’re even experiencing a crisis, you can kid yourself that you still have some sense of control over what are usually uncontrollable events.

While denial can have some positive functions—it can give you an opportunity to come to terms with the shock of a traumatic event, for example—over time, it will just prolong your pain. Staying in denial will prevent you from adapting to your new circumstances, stop you from seeking solutions or taking action, and stifle the healing process.

Accept the situation

Change is an inevitable part of life and many aspects of the changing world are outside your individual control. You can’t control the spread of a virus, for example, the pace of social change, or how the economy behaves. While it can be tough to acknowledge, railing against events or circumstances outside your control will only drain you of energy and leave you feeling anxious and hopeless. Accepting your situation, on the other hand, can free you up to devote your energy to the things that you do have control over.

Focus on things within your control. Make a list of all the things you can’t control and give yourself permission to stop worrying about them . Instead, focus on the action that you can take. If you’re unemployed, you can’t control whether the ideal job appears in the wants ads or whether an employer will grant you an interview. But you can control how much time and effort you put into searching for work or brushing up on your skills. Similarly, if a loved one is facing a life-threatening illness, you may have to relinquish control to the medical experts, but you can still focus on providing your loved one with as much emotional support as possible.

Accept change by looking to your past. Looking back at examples where you’ve coped with uncertainty and change before can help you accept your current situation. Perhaps you suffered a painful breakup in the past and were eventually able to move on with your life, or you lost a job and ended up finding a better one? Examining your past successes can also help you see past the current crisis and derive some confidence that you’ll be able to pull through again.

Accept your feelings

It’s tempting to believe that the best way to get through hard times is by ignoring painful emotions and “putting on a brave face”. But unpleasant emotions exist whether you choose to acknowledge them or not. Trying to prevent your emotions from surfacing will only fuel your stress, delay acceptance of your new situation, and prevent you from moving on.

By allowing yourself to feel your emotions, you’ll find that even the most intense, upsetting feelings will pass, the trauma of these tough times will start to fade, and you’ll be able to find a path forward. Talk to someone you trust about what you’re experiencing or use HelpGuide’s Emotional Intelligence Toolkit to reconnect with your emotions.

Grieve your losses

Undergoing tough times usually involves some kind of loss. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the loss of your old life, it’s important you allow yourself the opportunity to grieve. Only by facing your grief —acknowledging and mourning your losses—will you be able to heal and eventually move on with your life.

Connecting with friends and family when you’re going through tough times can help ease stress, boost your mood, and make sense of all the change and disruption . Instead of feeling like you’re facing your problems alone, you can draw strength and build resilience from having others to lean on.

The people you reach out to don’t need to have answers to the problems you’re facing; they just need to be willing to listen to you without judging. In fact, what you talk about or the words used are often unimportant. It’s the human connection—eye contact, a smile, or a hug—that can make all the difference to how you’re feeling.

Prioritize relationships . Nothing carries the same health benefits as connecting face-to-face with someone who is caring and empathetic. These days, however, it’s not always possible to see friends and loved ones in person. If you’re kept apart by geography, lockdown, or travel restrictions, for example, reach out to others via phone, video chat, or social media.

Don’t withdraw in tough times. You may be inclined to retreat into your shell when you’re facing challenges in your life. You may fear being a burden to friends and loved ones or feel too exhausted to reach out. But try to keep up with social activities even when you don’t feel like it. Good friends won’t consider you a burden—they’re more likely to feel flattered that you trust them enough to confide in them.

Try to avoid negative people. Some friends are good listeners, kind and empathetic. Others seem to only fuel negative emotions, leaving you feeling even more stressed, anxious, or panicky. Try to avoid anyone who magnifies your problems, criticizes, or makes you feel judged.

Expand your social network. Even though relationships are vital for good mental health , building resilience, and getting through tough times, many of us feel that we don’t have anyone to turn to in times of need. But there are plenty of ways to build new friendships and improve your support network. If you know others who are lonely or isolated, be the one to take the initiative and reach out.

Living through tough times can be both mentally and physically draining. Constantly being in a heightened state of stress can lead to serious health problems, impact your immune and digestive systems, increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, and lead to burnout , a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion.

Since the body and mind are so closely linked, investing in self-care is an important part of building resilience and getting through times of great stress. When your body feels strong and healthy so, too, will your mind.

Get enough exercise. When you’re dealing with chronic stress, you likely carry it somewhere in your body. Maybe your muscles are tense, you have back or neck pain, frequent headaches, insomnia, heartburn, or an upset stomach? Getting regular exercise not only releases powerful endorphins in the brain to improve your mood, but it can also help to ease tension in the body and counteract the physical symptoms of stress.

Practice a “mind and body” relaxation technique. Practices such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation blend deep breathing and body awareness to help you relieve stress and bring your nervous system back into balance. Try one of HelpGuide’s audio meditations to boost your physical and emotional well-being.

[Listen: Inner Strength Meditation]

Improve your sleep. When you’re facing adversity, nothing wears down your resilience like missing out on a good night’s sleep. Often, improving your daytime habits and taking the time to relax and unwind before bed can help you sleep better at night .

Eat well. There are no specific foods that can help build resilience and weather tough times. Rather, it’s your overall dietary pattern that’s important. Eating lots of processed and takeout food can take a toll on your brain and mood, sapping your energy, and weakening your immune system. A healthy diet , on the other hand—one that’s low in sugar and rich in healthy fats—can give you the energy and focus to tackle the challenges you’re facing.

Manage your overall stress levels . Taking steps to manage your overall stress can break the hold it has over your life, improve your mood, and help you build the resilience you need to hold up under pressure at this time.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by frightening headlines or consumed by the crisis you’re facing. But whatever your circumstances, it doesn’t have to define you as a person. You are not your crisis. By pursuing activities that bring purpose and meaning to your life, you can keep your problems in perspective, prevent them from overwhelming you, and maintain your identity.

Everyone is different so we all have different ways of experiencing purpose and meaning. Don’t limit yourself by others’ expectations; pursue activities that are important to you and add satisfaction to your life.

Give help to others. When you’re in the midst of a crisis, it’s common to feel powerless and helpless. By proactively helping others, you can regain a sense of control as well as find purpose in your life. In fact, giving support can be just as beneficial as receiving support. Try volunteering , helping others in your neighborhood, giving blood, donating to a charity, or marching for a cause that’s important to you.

Pursue your hobbies and interests. In turbulent times, it’s important not to cast aside interests that nourish your spirit. For many of us, it’s these things that define us as individuals and bring meaning to our lives. Whether it’s playing a sport, caring for a pet , an artistic or musical endeavor, home improvement projects, or spending time in nature, continuing to draw pleasure from your pastimes adds to your ability to cope with the stress of difficult times.

An important part of coping with adversity and making it through tough times is to foster qualities of persistence and endurance. Tough times don’t last forever, but by their very nature they’re rarely over quickly. As you plot a road through the darkness, you need to find ways to stay motivated and persevere.

Deal with your problems one step at a time. If a problem is too big to deal with all at once, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. If your problem seems to have no possible solution, you can still take action by drawing up a list, researching more about the subject, or seeking the advice of a trusted friend or loved one.

Celebrate small wins. To stay motivated and positive as you navigate stormy seas in life, take a moment to savor your small successes. If you’re looking for work, for example, getting an interview isn’t as meaningful as landing a job, but it’s a sign of progress, a step in the right direction. Noting these small wins can give you a welcome break from all the stress and negativity you’re facing and encourage you to keep going.

[Read: Finding Joy During Difficult Times]

Try to maintain a hopeful outlook. While it’s difficult to stay positive and hopeful in the midst of a crisis, many of us tend to blow our problems out of proportion and make them seem even more negative than they really are. Try taking a step back and examining your situation as an outsider. Are their rays of hope that you can focus on? Instead of worrying about what you fear may happen, try visualizing what you’d like to happen instead.

Express gratitude. It may sound trite, but even when you’re experience terrible times, it’s usually possible to find one thing you can be grateful about—the love of a pet, for example, a beautiful sunset, or a caring friend. Taking a moment to acknowledge your gratitude for such small things can provide respite from the stress and really boost your mood.

Be kind to yourself. Everyone adjusts to change and upheaval differently. Don’t criticize your coping skills or beat yourself up for every mistake you make. Self-compassion is an important part of building resilience, so go easy on yourself.

More Information

Building your resilience - A roadmap for adapting to life-changing situations. (American Psychological Association)
Tolerating Distress - Tools to help you face your feelings during difficult times. (Centre for Clinical Interventions)
Five Science-Backed Strategies to Build Resilience - Ways to build resilience and confront emotional pain. (Greater Good Magazine, UC Berkeley)
Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. (2013). In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . American Psychiatric Association. Link
Norris, F. H. “Epidemiology of Trauma: Frequency and Impact of Different Potentially Traumatic Events on Different Demographic Groups.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 60, no. 3 (June 1992): 409–18. Link
Macedo, Tania, Livia Wilheim, Raquel Gonçalves, Evandro Silva Freire Coutinho, Liliane Vilete, Ivan Figueira, and Paula Ventura. “Building Resilience for Future Adversity: A Systematic Review of Interventions in Non-Clinical Samples of Adults.” BMC Psychiatry 14, no. 1 (August 14, 2014): 227. Link
Joyce, Sadhbh, Fiona Shand, Joseph Tighe, Steven J Laurent, Richard A Bryant, and Samuel B Harvey. “Road to Resilience: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Resilience Training Programmes and Interventions.” BMJ Open 8, no. 6 (June 14, 2018): e017858. Link
Lee, Tak Yan, Chau Kiu Cheung, and Wai Man Kwong. “Resilience as a Positive Youth Development Construct: A Conceptual Review.” The Scientific World Journal 2012 (May 2, 2012): 390450. Link
Forbes, Sarah, and Deniz Fikretoglu. “Building Resilience: The Conceptual Basis and Research Evidence for Resilience Training Programs.” Review of General Psychology 22, no. 4 (December 1, 2018): 452–68. Link
Shatté, Andrew, Adam Perlman, Brad Smith, and Wendy D. Lynch. “The Positive Effect of Resilience on Stress and Business Outcomes in Difficult Work Environments.” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 59, no. 2 (February 2017): 135–40. Link
Hoegl, Martin, and Silja Hartmann. “Bouncing Back, If Not beyond: Challenges for Research on Resilience.” Asian Business & Management 20, no. 4 (September 1, 2021): 456–64. Link
Silver, Kristin E., Meera Kumari, Danette Conklin, and Gunnur Karakurt. “Trauma and Health Symptoms in a Community Sample: Examining the Influences of Gender and Daily Stress.” The American Journal of Family Therapy 46, no. 2 (2018): 153–67. Link
Sansbury, Brittany S, Kelly Graves, and Wendy Scott. “Managing Traumatic Stress Responses among Clinicians: Individual and Organizational Tools for Self-Care.” Trauma 17, no. 2 (April 1, 2015): 114–22. Link
Bower, Gordon H., and Heidi Sivers. “Cognitive Impact of Traumatic Events.” Development and Psychopathology 10, no. 4 (December 1998): 625–53. Link
Ley, Clemens, María Rato Barrio, and Andreas Koch. “‘In the Sport I Am Here’: Therapeutic Processes and Health Effects of Sport and Exercise on PTSD.” Qualitative Health Research 28, no. 3 (February 1, 2018): 491–507. Link
Hegberg, Nicole J., Jasmeet P. Hayes, and Scott M. Hayes. “Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation.” Frontiers in Psychiatry 10 (2019): 133. Link

More in Stress

Recovering after a crisis, natural disaster, or disturbing event

Understanding the grieving process and learning to heal

Stress Management

How to reduce, prevent, and relieve stress

Quick tips for when you’re short on time

Using close relationships to manage stress and improve well-being

Fill your life with music that reduces daily stress

Tips on dealing with money worries

Practices for improving emotional and physical well-being

Professional therapy, done online

BetterHelp makes starting therapy easy. Take the assessment and get matched with a professional, licensed therapist.

Help us help others

Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide.org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges. Please donate today to help us save, support, and change lives.

Loving. Healing. Touching.

FFP Poetry Forums

Forgot Your Password
Login with Google
Login with Facebook

Poems about Life Struggles

Poetry About Overcoming Life's Challenges

Life is full of challenges. Economic difficulties, serious illnesses, family problems, and political unrest plague people on a daily basis. How a person faces each challenge that comes their way however, says much about their character, who they are on the inside. Some people draw strength and inspiration from the experiences of others. Many famous poets from both the past and present have helped and inspired people to face and overcome life's many challenges through the words of their poems. Such poems help people to see they are not alone in their struggles and that it is possible to overcome their problems.

53 Inspirational Poems About Living Life to the Fullest

1 - 20 of 53

Recommended
Highest Rated
Most Shared
Most Stories

1. How Did You Die?

Famous Poem

By Edmund Vance Cooke

Did you tackle that trouble that came your way With a resolute heart and cheerful? Or hide your face from the light of day With a craven soul and fearful?

Read Complete Poem

Fav orited 3
Rating 4.83

2. Still Here

By Langston Hughes

I been scarred and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me,

Shares 2155
Fav orited 25
Rating 4.32

This poem was in a textbook of mine from the sixth grade. As a child, it resonated with me. It inspired me to write poetry. As a child, educated by white folk, I had no idea who Langston...

Read complete story

I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen

Fav orited 7
Rating 4.24

4. The Laughing Heart

By Charles Bukowski

Your life is your life Don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission. Be on the watch. There are ways out.

Fav orited 1
Rating 4.20

5. Loss And Gain

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

When I compare What I have lost with what I have gained, What I have missed with what attained, Little room do I find for pride.

Rating 4.14

6. Undergrowth

By Douglas Malloch

It ain't the trees that block the trail, It ain't the ash or pine; For, if you fall or if you fail, It was some pesky vine

Fav orited 0
By Joe Massocco
Published by Family Friend Poems February 2015 with permission of the Author.

Tick tock...tick tock... Life is counting down on your internal clock. Memories that feel as if they occurred yesterday

Shares 27856
Fav orited 212
Rating 4.47

It’s not that we forget to live. We always have this thought in our mind, but the sad reality is that even after knowing how precious our time is and realizing our limited time on earth, all...

By Sagar Yadav
Published by Family Friend Poems December 2007 with permission of the Author.

I will rise After every fall. I will rise And stand tall.

Shares 14435
Fav orited 89
Rating 4.36

I'm from a country which is famous for its literature. And it's Iran. So we, Iranians, know what a good poem is. I really like your poem. It teaches us never give up. It teaches us if birds...

9. Sometimes

By Lucy Petersen
Published by Family Friend Poems September 2020 with permission of the Author.

Sometimes I can't find the words That fill my messy head. Can't find the effort to smile Or get out of my silly old bed.

Shares 7893
Fav orited 106
Rating 4.59

Few words to explain me. Thanks, dear. You are not alone.

By Judy Einhorn
Published by Family Friend Poems July 2017 with permission of the Author.

I'm tired of listening to the sound of my tears, Tired of constantly battling my fears, Tired of struggling with challenges that continuously reappear.

Shares 6407
Fav orited 141
Rating 4.44

There’s so much I have built up inside, so much I need to share. I was robbed of everything, and can’t put my thoughts on paper. The man who physically and mentally abused me should be doing...

11. Camouflaged

By Kim McCrea
Published by Family Friend Poems February 2016 with permission of the Author.

In all chaotic beauty lies a wounded work of art. Beautiful but torn, wreaking havoc on my heart. Camouflaged by insecurities, blinded by it all. I love the way you sit there and barely notice me at all.

Shares 3753
Fav orited 79
Rating 4.39

With death being the only certainty of life, life is just a bit too short for regrets. Let's live while we're alive. Let's love while we're alive. Let's live and not just survive.

12. Inner Peace

By Joshua Fraser
Published by Family Friend Poems August 2018 with permission of the Author.

The wind whistles past my ears. Closing my eyes, I lose all my fears. The waves crash into the rocks. Out here there is no time on my clock.

Shares 8101
Fav orited 62

Life is full of loud shouts of distractions and contradictions while the sound of focus is but a whisper. Nature, fortunately sings this silent tune of focus to ears that would seek her. The...

13. Fractured

By Jodi M. Kucera
Published by Family Friend Poems August 12, 2022 with permission of the Author.

You look at me and only see the cracks, Fractured, like a piece of glass. Some are shallow and straight,

Fav orited 24
Rating 4.54

14. My Life Has Been A Tightrope

By Patricia A Fleming
Published by Family Friend Poems April 14, 2022 with permission of the Author.

I feel as if I'm teetering High above a dark, black hole, And it's taking everything I have Not to lose control.

Fav orited 10
Rating 4.52

15. Find Your Drive

By Emma J. Swain
Published by Family Friend Poems December 2017 with permission of the Author.

Sometimes you just have to push yourself just to get out of bed. You stay up 'til 2am just wishing you were dead. You ask yourself, "Why can't it be someone else instead?" You get tired of all the thoughts in your head.

Shares 6102
Fav orited 70
Rating 4.49

16. Mirror, Mirror

By Ellie B. Ross
Published by Family Friend Poems January 2018 with permission of the Author.

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, Why aren't I thin, pretty, or tall? Why don't you show the perfect me? The one that everyone pretends to be.

Shares 1302
Fav orited 68
Rating 4.48

17. It's Hard

Published by Family Friend Poems July 2014 with permission of the Author.

It's hard to trust someone who always lied. It's hard to love someone who made you cry. It's hard to care when you want to die. It's hard to believe when you have no pride.

Shares 1291
Fav orited 30
Rating 4.38

This is LITERALLY the story of my life. Well put!!

18. Who Am I?

By Natasha L. Bishop
Published by Family Friend Poems December 2016 with permission of the Author.

Who am I, you ask? I am a lion who comes off as a lamb. I am an ocean with waves big enough to drown. I am a roller coaster of emotions.

Shares 4918

My face is the place I hide my pain. My face is a place Where raindrops fall hiding the tears that have been there for so many years. My face is the place that hides my pain. My face...

19. Carefree

By Nordica D Lindgren
Published by Family Friend Poems October 2009 with permission of the Author.

Young, carefree, innocent, You sing, laugh and dance, Taking in all Gods' glory At every single chance.

Shares 3381
Rating 4.34

20. Choices

By Desiree Kimbrue
Published by Family Friend Poems June 2008 with permission of the Author.

I see people laughing and joking all around, but on my face there is no smile; instead there is a frown. I never laugh anymore; instead I cry,

Shares 3325
Fav orited 57
Rating 4.33

I can't bring you back, I wish I could. The moment you took your last breath I went with you. I look in the mirror, I no longer recognize who I see. I am not longer me without you. My son,...

Speech about Life for Students and Children

Speech about Life

Good morning one and all present here. I am standing before you all to share my thoughts through my speech about life. Life is a continuous ongoing process that has to end someday. Life is all about adoring yourself, creating yourself. A quote for you that life can be only understood backward but it must be lived forwards. Life itself is a golden opportunity to live a meaningful life and support others to do so. It doesn’t matter how many years you live. But it matters how well you live a quality life.

Source: pixabay.com

The fear of death always threatens our lives. Every person has to face death sooner or later, but that doesn’t mean that it should discourage us from living life to the fullest or achieving our goals. A person is wise only when he/she is ready to meet destiny when it comes, but until that time enjoys every bit of it. It is a sense of readiness. It is a journey in everyone’s life wherein we have to cross the bridge of death to be able to wake up to a life eternal.

Get the Huge list of 100+ Speech Topics here

Human life – A very Precious Gift

Human life is truly a very precious gift. Each moment of human life carries us an opportunity, to act to develop and express our virtues. Every moment unlocks the path to us to receive blessings. This is the truth that life gives us both positive and negative situations. What is really important is how we react.

Life is the gift of God in the form of trust that we will make it meaningful in whatever we can. We are all unique individuals. No one is born like you and no one will ever be, so cherish your individuality. Many times, I come across people accusing God of things that they don’t have. They always cursing their lives. But, do they realize that this life itself is precious? If we make it worth living and work hard towards positivity.

Life is a Journey, not a Destination

Life is nothing but a journey with lessons, hardships, heartache and special moments. It will ultimately lead us to our destination, our purpose in life. The road will not always be a plane; in fact, throughout our travels, we will face many challenges.

These challenges will always test our courage, strengths, weaknesses, and faith. Along our way, we may encounter obstacles that will come between the paths and we are destined to take.

In order to be on the right path, we must overcome these obstacles. Sometimes these obstacles are really blessings in disguise, only we don’t understand that at the time. The secret of life is best known to those who are not attached to anything deeply so much.

Therefore, they remain out of touch with worries and shifting fortunes of their lives. They are the people who do not measure their lives in terms of materialistic possessions, but by measuring their lives in terms of people they cannot live without.

Lastly, I will conclude that we should make life worthwhile. It should be with the love of our family and friends that life can be made beautiful. Life can be more beautiful and purposeful by discharging our duties in our family, at work, society and the world at large.

Read Essays for Students and Children here !

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

Speech for Students

Speech on India for Students and Children
Speech on Mother for Students and Children
Speech on Air Pollution for Students and Children
Speech on Disaster Management for Students and Children
Speech on Internet for Students and Children
Speech on Generation Gap for Students and Children
Speech on Indian Culture for Students and Children
Speech on Sports for Students and Children
Speech on Water for Students and Children

16 responses to “Speech on Water for Students and Children”

this was very helpful it saved my life i got this at the correct time very nice and helpful

This Helped Me With My Speech!!!

I can give it 100 stars for the speech it is amazing i love it.

Its amazing!!

Great !!!! It is an advanced definition and detail about Pollution. The word limit is also sufficient. It helped me a lot.

This is very good

Very helpful in my speech

Oh my god, this saved my life. You can just copy and paste it and change a few words. I would give this 4 out of 5 stars, because I had to research a few words. But my teacher didn’t know about this website, so amazing.

Tomorrow is my exam . This is Very helpfull

It’s really very helpful

yah it’s is very cool and helpful for me… a lot of 👍👍👍

Very much helpful and its well crafted and expressed. Thumb’s up!!!

wow so amazing it helped me that one of environment infact i was given a certificate

check it out travel and tourism voucher

thank you very much

Download the App

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

Speech on Life

Speech on Life for Students in English

Life is a precious gift. It is the sum of one's work, journey, dreams, joys, sorrows, successes, and battles for change. Life is more of a journey than a destination. It must be lived peacefully and happily. Seeking the meaning and purpose of life is the biggest search in the life of a man, and the questions about the meaning of human life are age-old. Life, however, still has some attractive elements, offering one a ray of hope and positivity, each passing day.

We have individuals, families, relatives, and friends who make our lives unique, worth living, and make us feel that our lives are special. Our lives are challenging, but those challenges are what make it worth living.

Short One Minute Speech On Life Is A Gift

God has given us the most precious gift; it is life. It is up to us how to use it. It depends on us, or it depends on our behavior. Therefore, this is a very relevant topic to be discussed in schools, universities, workplaces or public places. We are of course worried that our young people are now wasting their lives and time-consuming reckless behavior. Every day, we should thank God for giving us this life and another day to achieve our goals. No one is like you and will never be there, so cherish your uniqueness.

What surprises me is that I often hear people blaming God for what they don’t have and cursing their liveliness, but they do not know that their lives are valuable if they work hard to make it worthwhile. The value of life comes from such thinking. Only through the love of family and friends can life become better. We also make our lives more beautiful and fulfilling by completing our responsibilities in our family, work, community and the whole world.

Long and Short English Speech About Life for Students and Children

Long speech on life in english for students.

Good morning to all of you present here. Today, I am here to share my views on Life. Life is a continuous phase that will have to stop someday. It is all about building yourself and encouraging yourself. It is only possible to grasp life backward, so it must be lived forward. Life itself is a golden chance to inspire others while you live and also get inspired by others too. It is not the number of years you live but how well you live that matters. Our lives are still threatened by the fear of death. Sooner or later, every person has to face death, but that doesn't mean it should stop us from living life to the fullest or achieving our goals. An individual is only wise when he/she is ready to meet destiny when it comes, but he/she enjoys every little bit before that moment. Human life is an incredibly precious gift.

Every snapshot of human life provides us with an opportunity to act to build and connect. Every second opens the way for us to receive presents. The truth is that life presents us with both positive and negative situations. What is extremely important is the way we respond to it. No one, like you, is born into the universe, and no one will ever be, so honor your freedom. With lessons, struggles, heartache, and special moments, life is nothing but a journey. In the end, it will get us to our destination, our meaning in life. The road isn't always going to be a plane; in fact, we're going to face many challenges along our journeys.

Our bravery, talents, vulnerabilities, and confidence will always be checked by these challenges. We may meet obstacles along our way that will come between the paths, and we are doomed to take them. We must overcome these barriers to be on the right path. Perhaps these barriers are simply gifts in disguise, but at the moment we don't understand that. The secret of life is better understood by those who are not so intensely attached to something. The best way to cherish life is with our family and friends. Our family was the first set of people who were present since the beginning of our journey and nourished us.

Our friends are the people who chose us, out of several others, to care for and enjoy moments with. It is ultimately the affection we give and the affection we receive from our loved ones that makes life beautiful and joyous. I'll say, eventually, that we can make life worthwhile. That life can be made beautiful with the help of our family and friends. By discharging our duties in our families, at work, community and the world at large, life can be more beautiful and purposeful.

Short Speech About Life for Children

Good morning to all of you present here. Today I am here to deliver a Speech on Life. Life is valuable. It is a gift to you from God. It's so special that there's no one else like you on Earth. Existence, again, is a chance. It is a chance for good to be achieved. Therefore, it does not matter how long you live; how well you live is all that counts. And how many lives you, with love and encouragement, will affect.

Another idea is that death still shadows life. Everybody has to face it. He or she is a wise man or woman who, when it comes, is prepared to meet death. The secret of life is, surprisingly, best revealed to those who are not bound by their possessions. They are unaffected by worry and life's changing fortunes. They are individuals who do not live by adding things to life, but by weighing their lives by things they can do without.

Life is stewardship above all. It is a belief that is entrusted to you. Such an understanding of life makes you keenly aware that for all the time, talent, treasure, and opportunity you are blessed with. It is this hope which makes living life worth it. And it's family and friendships nurtured in loving relationships that make life beautiful. By understanding one's role in one's family, or one's place of work, or society at large; and playing that role well, life is also made purposeful.

Life is a journey, not a destination

Life is not a destination, but it is a journey that involves lessons, hardships, and some special moments. It will take us to our final destination, our life's purpose. The road will not always be a plane; we will face numerous challenges throughout our journey.

These difficulties will always put our bravery, strengths, flaws, and faith to the test. Along the way, we may come across obstacles that stand in the way of the path we are meant to follow.

We must overcome these challenges to stay on the right path. Sometimes these roadblocks are blessings in disguise, but we do not realize it at the time. The secret of life is best understood by people who are not extremely connected to anything.

As a result, people are clueless about their worries and changing fortunes in life. They are those who do not measure their lives in terms of materialistic stuff, but rather in terms of the people they cannot live without.

10 Lines for English Speech About Life

Life is a very precious gift granted to us by God, and we must be grateful to him for giving us such a precious gift.

Challenges are part of life, and our lives will become dull and uneasy without them.

God has given us plenty of positive things in our lives, including the beauty of nature.

We are granted positivity and satisfaction in life by trees, animals, plants, sunshine, etc.

Nature tells us that, against all the odds, we can be happy and hopeful.

We need to set certain targets and try hard and faithfully to accomplish them to make our lives valuable.

To earn blessings and good wishes from our elders and mates, we must do something good very often.

Family is an integral part of our lives, and we need to take care of them and always respect them.

Secondly, our friends are an important part of our lives, apart from family, as they support us without any conditions.

We must always acknowledge the positive things in our lives that are happening.

FAQs on Speech on Life

1. How to feel satisfied with your Life?

When one knows the meaning of life, that is, that life is not about winning or losing, but rather about living one's life to the fullest, one can be satisfied.

2. What do you mean by a decent life?

A decent life is when you see life as a gift rather than a burden, and you have more good days than bad days.

3. Why is meaningful life important?

A meaningful life ties people to a greater sense of purpose and value, allowing them to contribute positively not only to their own personal and spiritual development but also to society and human civilization as a whole. As a result, a meaningful life inspires wise choices and provides a sense of purpose.

Speech on My Life

Life is a journey full of surprises, isn’t it? You’ve had your share of laughter, tears, triumphs, and setbacks. In the following lines, you’ll find a glimpse into my life, with all its twists and turns. Let’s embark on this voyage together, shall we?

1-minute Speech on My Life

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am here today to share a story, a story about my life. Imagine a book, where each chapter is a different phase of my life. Let’s turn the pages together.

The first chapter is about childhood. It was a time of joy, laughter, and learning. I was like a little bird, trying to spread my wings, eager to fly high. My parents were my shelter, protecting me from the storms and guiding me towards the sun.

The second chapter is about my school days. I was a small boat sailing in the vast ocean of knowledge. I made friends, some of them became my guiding stars, helping me navigate through the rough waves. Teachers were like lighthouses, guiding me towards the right path.

The third chapter is about my dreams. As a young adult, I dreamed of making a difference, of leaving my footprints in the sands of time. I wanted to be a writer, to weave stories that could touch hearts. I wanted to be a voice, a voice that could inspire and motivate.

The fourth chapter is about my struggles. Life is not always a bed of roses. There were thorns, there were storms. There were times when I fell, when I felt lost. But every time, I picked myself up, dusted off the dirt, and continued my journey.

The final chapter is about my achievements. I am standing here today, not because I am extraordinary, but because I dared to dream, I dared to fight, I dared to rise.

In conclusion, my life is a book, filled with chapters of joy and sorrow, dreams and struggles, failures and achievements. It’s a story of resilience, a story of hope, a story of never giving up. Thank you.

Also check:

Essay on My Life

2-minute Speech on My Life

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, good day to you all. Today, I am going to talk about a topic that is very close to my heart – ‘My Life’. I promise to keep it simple, engaging, and relatable.

Let’s start from the very beginning. I was born in a small town filled with warm-hearted people. It was a place where everyone knew everyone, and there was a strong sense of community. Growing up, I learned the value of togetherness, of sharing, and of caring for each other. These lessons have shaped my life and made me the person I am today.

School was a magical place for me. It was there that I discovered my love for learning. I was like a sponge, soaking up everything I could. I learned about the world, about people, and about life. I also learned about the power of dreams. I dreamed of becoming a scientist, a writer, a footballer, and so many other things. It taught me that it’s okay to dream, to aspire, and to strive for more.

Then came the phase of my life where I had to step out of my comfort zone. I moved to the city for my college education. It was a big, bustling place, full of strangers. It was intimidating at first, but it also taught me a lot. I learned to be independent, to take care of myself, and to adapt to new situations. It was a challenging phase, but it also brought out the best in me.

Work life was another chapter. It was a world of responsibilities, deadlines, and pressures. It was tough, but it was also rewarding. I learned to work in a team, to handle stress, and to balance my personal and professional life. I learned the importance of hard work and dedication. It was a period of growth and development.

Now, as I stand before you, I realize that life is a journey. It’s a journey filled with ups and downs, joys and sorrows, victories and defeats. But every step, every moment, every experience has taught me something valuable. It has shaped me, molded me, and made me who I am.

In conclusion, ‘My Life’ is not just about me. It’s about the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been, the experiences I’ve had. It’s about the lessons I’ve learned, the challenges I’ve faced, the dreams I’ve chased. It’s a story of growth, of learning, of becoming. And I am grateful for every bit of it.

Thank you for listening to my story. I hope it inspires you to embrace your own journey, to learn from your experiences, to chase your dreams, and to become the best version of yourself. Because at the end of the day, that’s what life is all about. Thank you.

Speech on My Inspiration
Speech on My India My Pride
Speech on My Hometown

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

Russia-Ukraine war latest: Victorious Putin warns voter 'crimes' will be punished - as he is branded 'tyrant'

Vladimir Putin has won Russia's presidential election in a landslide victory, in which he reportedly gained 88% of the vote. He was sure to win after nobody who posed a serious threat was left in the running.

Monday 18 March 2024 12:28, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Vladimir Putin claims Russia election victory as he warns protesters 'crimes' will be punished
Diana Magnay: Putin's win was inevitable - but what comes next?
Shapps brands Putin a 'tyrant' and 'modern-day Stalin'
Kim Jong Un congratulates Putin
Putin names fiercest political foe for first time in years
How a KGB agent from Leningrad rose to the top of the Kremlin
Watch: Exactly how popular is Putin in Russia?
Live reporting by Katie Williams

By Diana Magnay , international correspondent

Now that that three-day electoral spectacle is done - a shiny semblance of democracy, unfree, unfair and underpinned by soviet-style repressions - what is next for Vladimir Putin and for the country he leads?

Expect the state to clamp down still further on what remains of Russia's enfeebled civil society. Putin's authoritarian course was set way ahead of his invasion of Ukraine but over the last two years there has been a galloping momentum to the erosion of civil liberties and to the numbers jailed for minor infractions suddenly deemed subversive. This is a long way from the kinds of repressions Stalin inflicted on his countrymen where millions were sent to the gulags, but the trajectory is bad.

"All these people surrounding Putin are participating in a race of repression initiatives," says Andrei Kolesnikov of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre. "To be loyal is to invent new repressions, new amendments to the laws on foreign agents, on the media, on the criminal code."

The elites are nothing if not consistent on that front, their consolidation around Vladimir Putin and their performative loyalty one of the consistent features of the past two, uncertain years.

The Communist party, for example, supposedly the biggest threat on the ballot to Vladimir Putin in the polls, has this Monday declared electronic voting unsafe. Not, mind you, because of the ease with which election officials might manipulate the outcome but because of potential "interference from the outside". There it is - the role of the Kremlin-approved "opposition", to back up Putin's narrative, whatever that might be. That is why they are welcomed in the parliament and on the ballot and are happy to take away a meagre 4% of the vote. Welcome to Russia's token "opposition"; remember that the actual opposition are either in prison, in exile or dead.

Putin will continue to tell his people more of the same about their place in history and the necessity of his war in Ukraine. Russian nuclear weapons are big and terrifying, Russian society is one big happy family, the wartime economy is doing well, the multipolar future is here to stay - just keep the faith in this eternal war with the West.

Many, perhaps most Russians will absorb that messaging because it is compellingly told and pervasive, but there is also a sense of unease vis-a-vis the war, an uncertainty and an unwillingness to look far ahead or plan for the future.

"We have very high inflation, salaries have not increased, we've become poorer, there is less choice in terms of consumer goods and household items in general because companies have left so we just engage in piracy now. It has become almost impossible to visit certain countries and families and friends. We have really rolled back and become less civilised," one voter in Moscow told our team on Sunday, a succinct precis of the sanctions impact felt at least in the big cities.

Now that Putin has overcome this election "hurdle" there will be no literal barrier beyond a hit to his approval ratings should he call for a further mobilisation. That possibility remains in the back of people's minds but Russia's fortunes in Ukraine would have to worsen considerably if Putin were to take that step and he'll likely desist if he can.

Until Ukraine can get the weaponry and ammunition it needs to fight back more effectively, Putin will remain buoyed by the kind of confidence we've seen in recent weeks.

"If a year ago Putin focused on protecting 'our land' and resorted to defensive, even sacrificial rhetoric, now he sounds victorious speaking not on behalf of a geopolitical victim but on behalf of a 'colossal, all-conquering force'," writes Tatyana Stanovaya of R. Politik on Telegram.

"This is explained by the growing faith of the Russian leadership in Russia's military advantage in the war with Ukraine, and a sense of the weakness and disunity of the West."

Much will depend on events outside of Russia this year: arms to Ukraine, the future incumbent in the White House and the cohesion, or lack of it, of the West. Those are, one must hope, outside of Putin's control even if the West must shore up its democracies to make sure that that is indeed the case. What is certain is that Vladimir Putin has relentless staying power, a conclusion as clear before this "election" as it is now.

Pictures have emerged from the Russian border region of Belgorod showing the aftermath of recent attacks there.

Russian authorities have reported a series of drone and shell attacks which they say have been carried out by Ukrainian forces, while anti-Putin militias also claimed last week to have raided Belgorod in cross-border incursions.

Earlier, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed two people including a 17-year-old boy were killed and four wounded in a shelling of the region (see 10.32 post).

North Korea has shipped roughly 7,000 containers full of munitions and other military equipment to Russia since last year, South Korea has claimed.

Defence minister Shin Won-sik made the comment during a news conference, just hours after the South Korean military said North Korea had fired short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters.

The US and South Korea have previously accused North Korea of sending shells and other military aid to Russia during the war - claims that both Russia and Pyongyang have denied.

Mr Shin said North Korea initially relied on ships but has increased use of its railways for cross-border arms supplies. Pyongyang has likely received over 9,000 containers of aid in return for military support, he added.

Figures showing majority support for Vladimir Putin are an "utter fabrication" and show votes have been manipulated during the election, a Western expert has said.

Callum Fraser, Russian and Eurasian security fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said the vote abroad in comparison to the domestic vote "demonstrates the scale of vote manipulation that has taken place in Russia".

He said exit polls for voters outside of Russia showed election challenger Vladislav Davankov had secured the majority vote, with ballot spoiling often taking precedence over votes for Mr Putin.

"The expected results showing 89% support for Putin and 80% turnout are an utter fabrication. Some sources suggest Putin secured around 55% of the domestic vote," he said.

Mr Fraser also said the introduction of e-voting for this year's election is "likely one of the biggest sources of election fraud".

The electronic systems means there is no way to verify ballots, while raw data from the results is unavailable. The firm linked to the system also has "close connections" to the Russian state, he said.

"Evidence of suspicious e-voting activity was already seen on Friday, with some far-eastern regions such as Kamchatka reaching 80% turnout by the end of the first day," said Mr Fraser.

People in occupied parts of Ukraine were forced to vote "quite literally at gunpoint", showing the election involved overt as well as more subtle forms of manipulation, he noted.

Some showed their resistance to the elections through attempts to spoil ballots and attack polling stations, while there was "significant turnout" for the Noon Against Putin protest.

But an "imbalance" in demonstrations between domestic and expat Russians highlights concern that the Kremlin is "successfully coercing Russians to submit to Putin's authority" and has also driven much of its liberal opposition out of Russia, said Mr Fraser.

Lord Cameron has added his voice to the list of international figures condemning the result of the Russian election.

In a statement, the UK foreign secretary said the elections "starkly underline the depth of repression under President Putin’s regime".

"Putin removes his political opponents, controls the media, and then crowns himself the winner. This is not democracy," he said.

There have been "widespread reports of electoral violations", Lord Cameron said, with any potential opponent who expressed anti-war views "swiftly disqualified".

"With only three Kremlin-approved challengers, the outcome of this election was never in any doubt," he said. Lord Cameron also called the holding of elections on occupied Ukrainian territory an "abhorrent violation" of the UN charter and Ukrainian sovereignty.

His German counterpart Annalena Baerbock has also criticised the event as "an election without choice".

Two people have been killed and four wounded in a Ukrainian attack on a Russian border region, according to a local official.

Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the village of Nikolskoye was attacked with shells earlier today.

Two men, one aged 17 years old, died as a result of a "direct hit" on a residential building, he said in a post to Telegram.

Sky News has not verified the claim.

The Kremlin says Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia and others outside Russia who are opposed to Vladimir Putin have "lost touch with their homeland".

Speaking after Mr Putin was officially declared victorious, the Kremlin also branded as "absurd" the West's description of the election as illegal, saying it would not listen to such opinions.

The results show the Russian people are united in their support for the president, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"This is the most eloquent confirmation of the level of support from the population of the country for its president, and its consolidation around him," he told reporters.

Yulia Navalnaya was among thousands who took part in the Noon Against Putin protest on the last day of the election yesterday.

The wife of murdered ex-FSB agent Alexander Litvinenko says international protests against Vladimir Putin on the last day of the Russian election were "beautiful".

Thousands of people arrived at polling stations in Russia and in capitals worldwide at midday yesterday to take part in a peaceful protest against his re-election.

Marina Litvinenko told Sky News that while the "Noon Against Putin" action may not having been "damaging" for the president, it "was very special to see people inside and outside of Russia doing something and believe... they are against Putin".

"This protest is beautiful and we all here in the West can see people against Putin. But it doesn't change Putin's regime," she said.

Asked what citizens inside Russia say about Mr Putin's leadership, Ms Litvinenko said people are "scared to say anything".

"People look like hostages and it's like a Stockholm syndrome. They are just trying to live their life," she added.

She said those who attended the anti-Putin protests showed they were "not frightened" despite the threat of punishment.

The EU's top diplomat has said Russian elections held in occupied Ukrainian territories violated Ukrainian sovereignty.

Speaking before chairing a meeting of EU foreign ministers today, Josep Borrell said the elections were not free or fair and were "based on repression and intimidation".

He said all 27 members would issue a statement later today.

In a statement released this morning, the EU condemned the "illegal" elections held in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, which "represent yet another manifest violation by Russia of international law".

The bloc "will never" recognise the results of voting in these areas, the statement said.

Russia's presidential election took place "in a highly restricted environment" that was "exacerbated" by the war in Ukraine, the EU said.

We're getting more international reaction this morning to the news that Vladimir Putin has extended his near-25 year rule in Russia.

France 's foreign ministry said the election was not free or democratic and took place in the context of repression in a civil society.

In a statement, it hailed the courage of "the many Russian citizens who peacefully protested against this attack on their fundamental political rights".

Lithuania's foreign minister had a similar reaction, saying Mr Putin's victory lacked legitimacy as it occurred in an "atmosphere of non-freedom".

Chinese President Xi Jinping, meanwhile, joined Kim Jong Un in congratulating the Russian president on another six-year term.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

IMAGES

55 Inspirational Quotes About Life And Struggles
99 Quotes about Life and Struggle You Should Learn
😊 Speech on struggle is the key to success. Sample speech on the
70 Inspirational Quotes About Life Struggles and the Challenges We Face
Struggle Makes You Stronger (Motivational Speech)
26+ Quotes About Life Struggles

VIDEO

life changing speech
Talking about life
Student life struggle 😞😞🥺Upsc motivation 📚✍️#studentlife #shorts #motivation #upsclife #struggle
Power of Words : Motivation quotes : motivational
Motivational Video Forever 🔥| Cristiano Ronaldo By Motivational Ashok #motivation #gym #nevergiveup
Amazing life speech odia

COMMENTS

Struggle Makes You Stronger (Motivational Speech)
22. Struggles, challenges and hard times offer you much more value than any other time in your life. You can not grow without struggle. You can not get STRONGER without resistance. Think about a time in your life that may have been hard, but forced you to become better. Get grateful for the struggles and WORK on yourself to ensure your future ...
Speech on Life Is Struggle
1-minute Speech on Life Is Struggle. Ladies and gentlemen, let's talk about life. Life is like a journey on a rough road, full of ups and downs. It is not always easy, it's full of challenges. Just like climbing a mountain, you can't reach the top without effort. This is the first lesson of life - struggle. Think of a little bird.
4 Powerful Speeches About Life Challenges
1. 'The Best Gift I Ever Received' Stacey Kramer. The power of perspective. A very quick, yet powerful speech from Stacey Kramer on how to take the good from a very scary situation. Stacey Kramer: The best gift I ever survived. Watch on. 2. "A broken body isn't a broken person" Janine Shepherd.
9 Motivational Speeches About Life & Success
2. J.K. Rowling Speech: 'The Fringe Benefits of Failure'. The benefits of failure is a great speech to listen to when you're needing more motivation towards a great big goal. Rowling's humble beginnings, near poverty and struggle to realize her dream is a motivational story and in this speech she speaks of the importance of fear and the ...
Speech on Life Challenges
2-minute Speech on Life Challenges. Ladies and gentlemen, today, we will talk about something that everyone can relate to, something that touches all of us - life challenges. Life is like a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, and bumps and smooth paths. Life challenges are the bumps we meet along the way.
16 Speeches About Life To Inspire You Today (2024)
10. Life Happens. Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, and the unexpected often greets us at every corner. People yearn for predictability and control, seeking stability in an ever-changing world. However, it is crucial to recognize that life's beauty lies in its unpredictability.
The 10 Best Motivational Speeches To Keep You Going In Tough Times
Navy Seal Admiral William H. McRaven Motivational Speech. 5. Muhammad Ali Motivational Speech. 6. Denzel Washington Motivational Speech. 7. Arnold Schwarzenegger Motivational Speech. 8. Dream Motivational Speech.
27 Inspirational Speeches To Empower A Successful Life
22. Winston Churchill's "We Shall Fight On the Beaches". The great PM of England gave this speech during WW2 and is one of the greatest and best inspirational speeches in history. Funny and Interesting - At one time Mr Churchill was in parliament speaking and his words were mumbled and incoherent.
30 Motivational Speeches To Get You Moving Forward Now
Show that your struggles shaped you now. Happiness: It focuses on the positive outlook of your mental and spiritual state. Youth: ... His motivational speech discussed life's setbacks, such as death, and how understanding death may help people make better life decisions. His comments to the graduating class on the value of learning and ...
Healing = Courage + Action + Grace
Healing is much more than "getting better" or "having our problems go away." Healing is growth, development, and maturation. In a word, healing is change. It takes time and energy and struggle, but healing teaches us. As Marshall said: Healing can help us to become more sensitive and more awake to life. . . .
12 Best Motivational Speeches that will change your life in 2023
Watch this speech here - Admiral McRaven (Make Your Bed) 11. Jay Shetty. Jay Shetty is one of the most popular self-help authors and motivational speakers. 2 years back he gave a thought-provoking speech in which he encourages the audience to find their purpose in life and to pursue it with passion and determination.
16 Most Life-Changing Motivational Speeches & What You'll Gain from
9. Navy Seal William McRaven: If You Want To Change The World, Make Your Bed! "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.".
16 Inspirational Speeches for Career and Life Lessons ...
Inspirational speeches are often loaded with tales of struggle, resilience, trials, endurance, and breakthroughs. All things that most people can relate to. ... His speech talked of the setbacks in life, including death, and how being aware of death can help you make better choices in life. At the time, Jobs was dying of pancreatic cancer, and ...
This Is For All Of You Struggling In Life (Motivational Speech)
This is for all of those struggling in life. "Those Who Struggle The Most Reap The Greatest Rewards."-----...
Surviving Tough Times by Building Resilience
For many us, this is a time of unprecedented struggle and upheaval. Whether the source of disruption in your life is a global emergency or a personal tragedy—or both—living through difficult times can take a heavy toll on your mood, health, and outlook. It can leave you feeling helpless and overwhelmed by stress and anxiety.
2 Minute Motivational Speech About Life Challenges
Dear friends, Life is a journey full of ups and downs, and challenges are an inevitable part of this journey. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged when we encounter obstacles, but it's important to remember that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. Life challenges come in many forms, such as personal struggles, health...
Poems about Life Struggles
5. Undergrowth. Famous Poem. By Douglas Malloch. It ain't the trees that block the trail, It ain't the ash or pine; For, if you fall or if you fail, It was some pesky vine. Read Complete Poem.
Speech about Life for Students and Children
I am standing before you all to share my thoughts through my speech about life. Life is a continuous ongoing process that has to end someday. Life is all about adoring yourself, creating yourself. A quote for you that life can be only understood backward but it must be lived forwards. Life itself is a golden opportunity to live a meaningful ...
10 Things to Remember When You're Struggling in Life
5. Struggle helps you become stronger. When struggling in life, you always have a choice. You can either dwell on it and let it get the best of you, or you can use it as a stepping stone to becoming stronger. It might be painful, but it's also teaching you a lot about courage and strength. 6.
Speech on Life of a Student
1-minute Speech on Life of a Student. Good day to one and all present here. I consider it a great privilege to deliver a speech on the topic 'Life of a Student'. ... Challenges come in the form of academic pressures, the struggle in balancing social and personal life, managing time effectively, and making critical decisions about career ...
STRUGGLE makes you STRONGER
Struggles, challenges and hard times offer you much more value than any other time in your life. You can not grow without struggle. You can not get STRONGER ...
Speech on Life for Students in English
Speech on Life for Students in English. Life is a precious gift. It is the sum of one's work, journey, dreams, joys, sorrows, successes, and battles for change. Life is more of a journey than a destination. It must be lived peacefully and happily. Seeking the meaning and purpose of life is the biggest search in the life of a man, and the ...
Speech on My Life
In conclusion, my life is a book, filled with chapters of joy and sorrow, dreams and struggles, failures and achievements. It's a story of resilience, a story of hope, a story of never giving up. Thank you. Also check: Essay on My Life; 2-minute Speech on My Life. Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, good day to you all.
Russia-Ukraine war latest: Putin warns voter 'crimes' will be punished
Vladimir Putin has won Russia's presidential election in a landslide victory, in which he reportedly gained 88% of the vote. He was sure to win after nobody who posed a serious threat was left in ...
Biden Focused on Defending Democracy, the Economy and the Border
The speech was a high-stakes appearance for Mr. Biden, who is trailing behind Mr. Trump by five percentage points, according to a recent New York Times/Siena College poll.