Kedar says..

<Walking towards the podium juggling 3 balls>

..Well, this is my 10th project and it is supposed to be inspirational. So I thought maybe I can inspire you with this

Not sure if that’s working though.. anyway, what does one say when one wants to inspire a group of people? You might tell them a story about someone whose life has been an inspiration or find something in your life that is inspirational. I chose the 2nd option since I thought I may not be convincing enough to inspire you with someone else’s story.

So I thought I will dig up my own life and see if there is anything inspirational there.

Some of you might have heard me in my ice-breaker speech – I have led quite an ordinary life so far. I did not have to go through any extraordinary difficulties in life like some of these legends did, but at the same time, like those same people, I did not get any tremendous successes either. No pain, no gain maybe?.

How could I find anything inspirational in my life then – you might ask.. well, I couldn’t.. I am just hoping to inspire a thought in you rather than symbolize myself.

In my ice-breaker speech, I told you how my life has been a string of missed opportunities at being rich and famous! And my evaluator at the time had noted that I didn’t talk about what I am doing about it.. well, I didn’t have enough time for it then. But I do lament those missed opportunities sometimes, I do see that some people are way better off than I am, and some are way worse off too.. I know I can’t be a model for someone, a hero, an inspiration.. ‘coz, I am no film star in looks, nor an Arnold in body, nor an Einstein in brain..

So, here is the thought – not everyone can be extraordinary. I see many people get disturbed and frustrated at not achieving the heights they set out to achieve.. even after they try to be extraordinary. The thing I want to inspire in you is to to be at peace with yourself, because that’s important.. I truly believe that success does not happen to be on the right hand side of a formula. Let me tell you something, stop reading those books – 10 keys to success or 20 steps to that executive chair or 30 mantras to sainthood! Stop it..!!

Every successful person goes out there and tells you a story – about how he became successful. The world starts thinking it’s a formula – which it is not.. All I am saying is, you should not stop trying new things just because you think you may not make it big now..

You go to grocery store, play with your kid, help your wife with the dishwasher and all that.. yeah.. do that.. it is important..  but ask yourselves this – “When is the last time, you did something for the very first time“…?

Deep, eh? But true.. that one is for the keeps. It works wonders…

You know I used to see these kids skating at an ice rink – and I used to think I couldn’t do that now.. The time for that is gone. But well, a year ago, I started learning on my own.. I knew I might fall down and some people may laugh. Who cares.. But I can skate now.. sure, I can’t do all the tricks.

Swimming..? Yes, I learned swimming at this age after I came to the US! (No you are not getting my age!

I know I can’t be an Elvis or a Frank Sinatra now, even if I wanted to.. but I am trying to learn guitar just to fulfill my childhood dream..

I was always a shy person. The fact that I am here giving my 10th speech is a miracle in itself! I never knew how to dance.. yet, I remember last weekend at a party, I danced my guts out.. just to inspire my son to not be a shy idiot like me who missed these fun things in life when he was younger.

You never know what might develop out of the things you try.. back in 2000, I released some software utilities I wrote in my past time through my website for free. Pretty soon, companies were buying those – and pretty soon I had clients such as NASA, US Air Force, Lockheed Martin, Intel, Northrop Grumman and 80 others. Sure, that did not make me a Bill Gates.. but for a moment, it felt like I was walking the same path

or this juggling.. I am learning new juggling tricks every now and then.. even though nobody is waiting to see me doing those on stage anytime soon!

In all this, I am still ordinary, but it is less painful if you have the right attitude..

I say.. go for it!!