Hi, The following is my contest speech. The title is “What Do You Want?”

Hope that you will like it!  : )

Yetti
Immediate Past Club President
Kowloon-Singapore Toastmasters Club

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KSTMC International Speech Contest 2009
Title: What Do You Want?
By: Yetti Chiu

One Day a young business man by the name of Money went out for fishing. He met a fisherman called Simple. He realized that the fisherman was very good at fishing.

Money called out to him, “Hey, you are an expert in fishing. In just one hour and you have caught so many fishes. Why don’t you teach other people how to fish and you can earn more money? I can help you to market your business. I am a business man.”

The fisherman smiled, “Thank you…but why do I need more money?”

Money replied, “Why? With more money, you can open a fish farm. Then you can make even more money. And then you can afford to retire and enjoy your life!”

The fisherman smiled again, “I like a simple life. Everyday I fish for only 2 hours. That’s enough for my living! Then I can do what I want to do. I like to relax under a tree, watch the sunset, and spend time with my family. Why do I need to earn lots of money and enjoy my life after I retire? I am already enjoying life now!”

Contest Chair, Honorable Judges, Ladies and gentlemen.

What are you looking for in life?

Whether you like it or not, we live in a materialistic world. We are judged by how much money we have or how successful we are in our career. A rich man is regarded as a successful person. A man with outstanding achievements in his career will be admired by other people.

Is that what life is all about?

Have you heard of Jennie Chua? She was the former General Manager of the Raffles Hotel. She’s very successful in her career. She devoted herself to her job. But in an interview, Jennie Chua seemed to express some regret. She said “If I could do it all over again, I’d like to be a housewife. I got divorced when I was young. Given the chance, I think I’d like to have spent more time with my children, although they seemed to turn out pretty well. But do I remember distinctly when they took their first steps? No.”

Ladies and gentlemen.

If you ask me to choose between family and career, I’d definitely go for family.

You might know I was an accountant. But now I prefer to stay home as CFO and maid to my man. Why? Because I want to spend more time with my husband, I don’t want to work daily from 9am to 8pm. Everyday I can cook healthy dinner for my man. Even though it may not taste good, it’s good for his health. Don’t you think good health is more important than having more money?

Let me tell you another story

My uncle lived in Hong Kong. He was quite poor when he was young. He worked very hard and started his own business. Because of his hard work, he made some money. He used the money to buy property. The value of property sky-rocketed in the 80’s. He became a rich man.

However, he did not live any better! Even though he was rich, he hardly spent any money on himself or his family. They still ate leftovers and wore old clothing. The ten of them lived in one small apartment.

Finally, he passed away in early 1995 because of a cancer. He was rich, but I don’t think that he was happy! He never enjoyed the fruits of his labour. WORSE!!! After his death, his children started to fight over the inheritance! The money tore the whole family apart.

Why would you work so hard if you cannot enjoy all that you have earned?

Why did my uncle save all his money when he could not bring a penny with him when he died!

I wonder if he could rest peacefully if he knew of his children fighting over his money.

So do you know why you are trying to make more money?

Why are you chasing for a promotion or trying to be recognized?

Are these the things you want out of your life?

What do you want?

What do you really want?

What do you really want deep down in your heart?

Think about it!

Success should not be restricted to certain aspects only, such as your career or financial status. A rich man might not be happy as he may not have peace of mind or good health, just like my uncle. A man with a successful career might not be happy as he or she may not have good loving relationships, just like Jennie Chua.

To be happy we need to maintain a “Balanced Life” rather than focusing on a few aspects only.

If you only focus on your job or making more money, you might neglect your family, your health and your own personal fulfillment. Then when you are sick or out of a job, you may not have your family to take care of you (because your spouse might already have divorced you)! You will have no self-worth as you have nothing else besides your job!

My friends and fellow Toastmasters, Life is uncertain! We should live life to its fullest!

Tonight, when you go home, try to find a quiet place and close your eyes.

Listen to the voice of your inner soul…

What do you really care about in life?

What do you really want?

Contest Chair.