Trần Ngọc Bảo Khánh Speech 1 : Speech of Introduction

LQD – 12AV2 October 1, 2023

DON’T FEED THE MONSTER: VIEWING MISTAKES THROUGH A NEW LENS

Now, it's interesting to note that most of you couldn't recall any embarrassing
moments from others. And what does that say? It means that you didn't care or give
much thought to other people's embarrassing moments. And you know what? It also
means that the people around you probably don't give a second thought to your own
embarrassing moments either.

Remember when you received a low score on a test and the teacher called you out
in front of the class? It felt like the world was crashing down, and you couldn't stop
overthinking and feeling embarrassed. You might have even started hating yourself for
it. But here's the truth: no one would really care. It's all temporary.

Think about the mistakes and failures you've had in the past. Initially, they were sad
and disappointing, but now they're just memories. So why do we continue to torment
ourselves, crying and overthinking about everyone's judgment? The reality is that
nobody truly cares. It will all fade away as mere fragments of the past.

Ladies and gentlemen, I must confess that I have a deep-rooted aversion to the
number four. Allow me to share with you the story of my journey and the significance it
holds. Throughout my childhood, a particular incident has remained etched in my
memory. It all began when I took my first steps into secondary school, brimming with
excitement and high expectations for a smooth and successful future. Little did I know
that my very first 15-minute test would shatter those expectations. I received a dismal
score of 4 out of 10. The shock I experienced at that moment was unparalleled. You
see, during my time in elementary school, it was customary for us to achieve near-
perfect scores of 10s and 9s on almost every test and exam. So, a score of 4 seemed
beyond belief, a stark contrast to what I had grown accustomed to. That incident
trapped me in a cage of negativity, consuming me from the inside out. I found myself
crying myself to sleep and tormented by endless questions. The memory of that
moment haunted me, replaying in my mind repeatedly.

Overcoming that tragedy proved to be a formidable and arduous endeavor.

However, as time passed, I slowly but surely moved on. Fast forward to my time in the
9th grade, a pivotal period in a student's life as we face the intense and demanding
high school entrance exams, a high-stakes examination that determines one’s
academic future. I aspired to study at Le Quy Don High School as an English major,
but there was a significant obstacle in my path—I struggled with advanced English.
While I excelled in basic English, the advanced level posed a different challenge
altogether. Prior to the high school entrance exam, we had to undergo a mock test,
and it was during this mock advanced English test that I once again received a score
of 4 out of 10.
To make matters worse, my English teacher at the time looked down on me, and said,
"You can't even handle basic English tests, so why are you trying for the advanced
level? Why are you so desperate to get into Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted?"
But do you know why I kept trying? Because she looked down on me, and I looked
down on her in return. I refused to let her negative comments define me or deter me
from pursuing my dreams. I remained focused on my potential, fully aware of what I
was capable of, and I refused to let anyone's words discourage me.
 At that time, I was a rebellious kid, always breaking the rules and doing only what I
liked. Many teachers in my school didn't like me and doubted my potential when they
learned I had applied for this school! Now, here's the exciting part. When I took the
actual entrance exam for Le Quy Don High School, I scored an impressive 8.3 out of
10 and ranked among the top 3 out of over 300 students vying for a spot in the
English major classes. So here's a question for you: If I had listened to those
comments and given up on studying advanced English, would I be standing here
speaking to you today?

4, It was the first number to make me despise myself to the very core and make me
wish that I could vanish into thin air. But at the same time, this very number, the
wicked four, transformed me into the confident being you’re seeing today. Yes, I
despise it, yet I am forever grateful, for it has forever changed my life.

I can stand here with confidence because I've come to the realization that even if I
experience the most embarrassing moments or deliver the worst speech among my
classmates, with the passage of time, no one will care. You are the only one who
struggles and torments yourself with nonexistent fears.

But this story is not just about me. It is a reminder to each one of you that we all face
moments of embarrassment and self-doubt. We all stumble and fall. However, it is our
response to these moments that defines us. We have the power to choose whether
we allow them to hold us back or propel us forward.

Every mistake you make now, every time you find yourself crying over something,
your future self is probably laughing at you. It's time to break free from that self-
imposed cage of negativity.

So, my friends, as you embark on your own journeys, remember the power that lies
within you. Let go of self-doubt and believe in your abilities. And always remember
that the number four, or any other symbol of your past struggles, does not define you.
It is merely a stepping stone on the path to your greatness and the opinions and
judgments of others hold little weight in the grand scheme of things.

Thank you for your attention, and let's approach life's embarrassing moments with a
light heart and a resilient spirit.