LIVE LIFE BEFORE YOU LEAVE LIFE

OPENING
Imagine a person lying on his death bed counting his last left few moments, introspecting his life. Asking himself, did I do justice to my life? My dreams? Did I fulfill my desires? Did I do what I really wanted to do? The feeling of emptiness sank his heart, hollowness surrounded his soul, helplessly crying and praying GOD for some more life. GOD appeared & replied Son, I have already given you your whole life, now your time is over. The person kept crying and pleading GOD again and again but in vain and departs. [do Christian ritual of cross sign] As per the famous book Top five regrets of the dying authored by Bronnie Ware, the patients suffering from terminal illness were questioned about any regrets they have or anything that they would have done differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Top regret was I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me

BODY
Fellow Toastmasters and Dear Guests, I welcome you to discover your true purpose in life. Let me ask you a simple question? If you have all the money and all the time in the world, would you still do what you are currently doing? If the answer is yes, congratulations, you are on the right path. However if the answer is no, then its time for introspection & action. As per the data published in UK leading newspaper, The Guardian, an astonishing 80 per cent of us end up in the wrong job. Around the age of 33, it really hits us, the feeling that we have already achieved most of what we wanted in our career. Now we feel depressed at the prospect of doing the same job for another 30 years, sounds like you? Then changing career could be the best decision you can ever make. For most people, a major career change is a very positive experience and nearly always a success story. Let me simplify by narrating two very powerful, inspiring and unique stories. First story is about a person who changed his profession very late in his life and yet became very very successful. He was born in Mumbai around 55 years back. He is a graduate of Mithibai College in Mumbai. After his studies, he joined the Taj Mahal hotel and worked there as a waiter and room service staff. Thereafter, he joined his mother to run their ancestral bakery shop. He also worked as a professional photographer. But for this person, acting was his real passion. So he trained himself under an acting coach while supporting his family business. When he was around 40, he started his real career acting by joining theatre and moved into bollywood when he was around 50. He gave memorable performances in almost all movies he worked. Who can forget the characters like Dr Asthana from Munna Bhai MBBS or Viru Sahastrabudhhe Virus from 3

Idiots? By now, you certainly know which celebrity I am talking about. He is none other
than Mr. Boman Irani. Second story is about a person who is a live example of their true callings in life.

She wanted to walk, she wanted to run, she wanted to fly, she wanted to fall but she never wanted to stop, she wanted to just keep flowing. After specialization in chemistry standing at the threshold of her career, still confused whether she is doing justice to her life. She started working in a lab with chemicals & drugs. But her inner voice never let her sleep, it screamed, go & do something that you will be very proud of. Soon she realized that she was never meant to work with chemicals. She left her job and was unemployed for a year. But that was the year of self-discovery & self-realization for her. She started teaching languages to the students in Vatsalya foundation, personality development to the engineering & management students that gave her recognition and respect. Soon she discovered that she really likes helping, educating people to grow & to reach their true potential. Thats why her current profession involves employee development that gives her satisfaction at the end of the day. She is extremely happy, motivated & her dream is to speak at TED conference. Today she is working with Crown worldwide group, Hong Kong based MNC. She is our own past area governor TM Arefa. Once we start doing what we are sent here to do, we align our goals with the universal plans and the whole universe upholds and supports us. Success finds us. Of course, during transition, you might struggle, you might face issues, you might earn less but if money was the only criteria then why we have happy beggars and sad millionaires? I agree money is needed; indeed it makes our journey more enjoyable. But please remember, we can never have security by money alone. People having crores of rupees in their bank account but still they feel insecure. In fact your skills and will are your real assets that can really make things happen. You can start your dream profession as the part time job with your existing job and gradually shift and make it a full time job like what Mr. Boman Irani did. Also you can guide the children. Tell them not to focus only on marks but ask them to find their passion like Sachin Tendulkar, who followed his passion from childhood, turned it into his profession and made millions smile. Dr. Deepak Chopra, renowned new age guru, author and alternative medicine practitioner based in US. When his children were of age 4, he again and again, told them there is a reason why you are here and you have to find out what that reason is. He encouraged them to start meditation at that early age. He told them I dont want you to worry about making a living I dont want you to focus on getting good grades in school or going to best colleges. Instead taught them to ask yourself how can I serve humanity and what are my unique talents? Because we all have a unique talent that no one else has and we have a special way of expressing that talent, no one has. Of course their children ended up going to the best schools and colleges. Now they are making a lot of money because their focus is what they are here to give.

CONCLUSION
Mark Twain, great American author and humorist, has rightly quoted the two most important days in your life are, the day you are born and the day you find out why . Friends, have you ever wondered & asked yourself, Who am I? and Why am I here on this earth? If not then go home, sit silently for a moment and ask yourself. The answer will come instantly or in few days. Hurry up because if you lose your health, then it is will be too late. We came crying into this world and people were laughing, real heroes leave this world laughing and people cry. People should say There was a man like this instead of saying was there a man like this? Take your passion and make it happen. Great scientist Einstein has aptly said Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.