How I Learned To Be Myself

Motivational Speech
Introduction:
“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not?” --- Andre’ Gide, Autumn Leaves
• Thesis Statement:
This quote is important to me because it inspires me to be who I am and not what everyone else thinks I should be.

• Authority (Story):
I have always felt inferior to other people because they told me I was. They told me I was weird and that I would never amount to anything. I believed them. I thought that I could never do anything as good as anyone else. So I tried to act like other people in hopes that they would like me. That worked for a short time but I was miserable. I hated trying to be the way everybody else wanted me to be. Even though I knew I would be rejected by my peers I decided to just be myself whether other people liked it or not. I am as happy as it is possible to be.
• Summary:
I believe that you will have a much happier, fuller life if you make the choice to just be yourself despite how other people will react to you. It is hard at times but it pays off in the end.
• Important Answer:
I chose this quote to talk to you about today because I believe that everyone should be themselves. I really admire people like Tyler B., Kari Gamble, Stacia Shinn, and (surprisingly) Zach Smith because they are unafraid to say and do what they want to.

Body:
• Transition:
“I’m not going to apologize for being me. You should apologize for trying to get me to be anything other than that.” ---- Anonymous
• Main Points:
• If people try to get you to apologize for being you tell them they should be who they are and you will be who you are. Stay who you are. Don’t let anyone change you. Life is too short to be someone else. Live the way you want to live. Be who you want to be.
• Conclusion:
“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not?” --- Andre’ Gide, Autumn