What do you think of my motivational speech?
We have to write a motivational speech based on the book Peeling the Onion, by Wendy Or. In role as the protagonist (Anna Duncan) we have to talk about reslilence and relate it to our personal experience. Tell me what you think 
Speech
Are you resilient in the face of adversity? If your ambitions and aspirations were shattered in a split second, would you remain broken and allow your identity to be scattered by the blows? Or would you pick up the pieces and move on with your life?
My name is Anna Duncan. Five years ago, I was seventeen, and had just entered my senior year of high school. I had a strong passion and talent for karate, and my relationship with a teammate, Hayden, was just beginning to blossom beyond friendship. I was blessed with two wonderful best friends, Jenny and Caroline. Life was sweet and carefree.
Then destiny hit me in the form of an out-of-control motor vehicle.
While unconscious, I lost control over my body as it attempted to drag me through Death’s door. The fact that I am alive today is in itself a miracle. I would like to say that, after cheating death, I bounced back into life with all the exuberance of an over-stretched rubber band. However, the heartbreak was far from over- the pain of a broken neck, shattered thumb, sprained ankle, and fractured toe lingered for many months.
As a result of my extensive injuries, I was permanently barred from karate. This outright prohibition, issued with infuriating nonchalance, tore apart what was left of me that wasn’t already broken. By day, I maintained the optimistic façade that masked my agony. But sunset triggered the crumbling of pretenses. My silent tears were requiem for freedom lost. I cried an anguished river and floundered in my sorrow. What faith I did have in the existence of a deity dissipated completely as my prayers remained unanswered- or so I thought.
The placement of the word “gain” inside bargaining is purely coincidental. Bargaining with God gives plenty to lose and profits you nothing. Don’t even try to give him deadlines- His plans for you gradually unfold during the course of a lifetime. A journey with him far surpasses anything the destination could possibly offer, for every detour is pregnant with new discovery, and His reassuring guidance is omnipresent.
The Anna Duncan that entered the car on the 20th of January, 2005, was strong, healthy and confident. Bed was strictly for nighttimes, and pain was a non-obscene four-letter word. She was blissfully naïve and oblivious to adversity.
However, that Anna was far to busy to experience the simple pleasure of sprawling out on the back lawn and watching the stars. That Anna would never have met Luke, the man to whom I am currently engaged. That Anna would never visualize herself as a future tertiary qualified author.
The secret to my success lies in a very special piece of jewellery. You see, around my neck I wear a small, golden key. It was a gift from Luke on the eve of my high school graduation, as I stood at the intersection of failure and success. He told me that university meant a new beginning, and was opportune for me to close the door of my painful past behind me and unlock the path to a bright future. Since then, I’ve realized that channel vision-never looking back- is what orients our path to convalescence.
However, even when we have steered our focus in the right direction, there are still plausible distractions. We must absolve ourselves of bitter malice that may be obstructing recovery. Reconciling with Trevor Jones, the driver of the car that crashed into ours, lifted a huge burden off my shoulders I didn’t even realize I was carrying. With my newfound weightlessness, progress was quicker and easier than ever before. Soon I was able to look at the accident from a new perspective and apprehend that sometimes, adversity is God’s blessing with ugly giftwrap.
Petra Salvaje once said, “Sometimes, to be a winner, you have to be willing to bear the scars from the fight”. Over the past five years, I’ve been to hell and, with God’s help, I’ve clawed my way back. The scars from that battle, etched indelibly into my skin, attest my victory more than any medal ever could.
Its a year eight assignment and can anyone tell me if they’ve actually read the book? and btw constructive criticism welcome and appreciated!
