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Have you seen 1,000 Perfect Sayings For Every Occasion?

Writing a speech or a presentation, and stuck for words? Never again! Imagine always having the perfect thing to say - the perfect way to provoke thought, to inspire and amaze... This isn't a book of dry, dusty quotes - it's a creative goldmine of tried-and-tested powerful, witty and inspiring sayings and words of wisdom from every walk of life, for every imaginable speech, toast, pitch, presentation or social occasion - so get your copy now from Amazon!

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Fifty Shades Of Grey

A speech by John Zimmer
(https://mannerofspeaking.org)

August 23, 2018

Semifinalist, World Championship of Public Speaking, 2018. If you view a lot of contests, you'll always find some speeches that don't win one of the top three trophies but do win a place in your memory. This is one of them because I both enjoyed it and learned from it. I hope you do, too...

Mr. Contest Chair, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have a confession.
One morning several years ago-
I was looking in the bathroom mirror-
And I realized that somehow-
Impossibly-
There were grey hairs on my head.
As time passed the grey hairs began to multiply-
So in retaliation-
I did something I never thought I would do-
Much less admit-
I got my hair colored.
And if you're thinking-
"Hang on, you don't have enough hair left for that"-
You're not wrong.

I will always remember my first time in the salon-
Sitting in front of another mirror-
Big blob of foam on my head-
Women to either side-
With their hair in pins or curlers or some weird aluminum foil-
Each of them giving me a look that said-
"Welcome to the club . . . next up . . . Botox."

This is the kind of thing that happens when you get older-
Your joints get stiffer-
Your wrinkles get wrinkles-
Your hair goes grey-
Or just . . . goes.
And if you haven't experienced these things yet-
Don't worry-
They're coming.
Because we are all getting older-
But we don't have to grow old.

For many years-
I was old-
In here. [points to head]
Too old to develop new skills-
Too old to take a chance-
Too old to make a change.
Have you ever known some like that?
Have you ever been someone like that?
In my defense-
I'm a lawyer-
We're born old.
We think we know everything-
And everything has to be just so.

After law school-
I joined a big law firm in Toronto-
And my future was set.
Work hard for several years-
Then become partner.
Then work hard for several years-
Then retire.
One Friday afternoon-
After six years of sixty-hour work weeks-
Three partners called me to a board room.
This was it-
Partnership-
The holy grail.
They sat me down and they said,
"You haven't brought in enough new clients-
You're not going to make partner-
You should start looking for a new job."
I was stunned-
And I was scared-
Because I had a family to support-
And I was 36 years . . . old.
Who would want to hire someone that age? [lots of laughter]
I can laugh at it today as well-
But at the time I wasn't laughing.
And that day was followed by a lot of sleepless nights.

Of course I began my job search immediately-
And after several nervous months-
I received an offer-
To review lease agreements for an insurance company.
Nothing glamorous-
But it was a job-
And I was going to take it-
When . . . another offer arrived-
A one-year-contract with the United Nations in Geneva.
I couldn't believe it-
When I was younger--
I dreamed of working for the UN-
And now here it was-
In Switzerland.
Diplomacy-
Mountains-
And chocolate.
But I had a secure offer in Canada-
Could I take that chance?
Wasn't I too old?

I struggled with my decision-
Until one night I looked for inspiration in a book of quotes-
And I read something that author Norman Vincent Peale said,
Live your life and forget your age.
Live your life and forget your age
.
I chose the United Nations.
And that one-year contract-
Turned into 18 wonderful years helping people around the world.

A few years ago I was ready for another change.
My work was still fulfilling-
But after nearly two decades of UN bureaucracy-
I was ready for another change-
And I wasn't 36 anymore-
I was in my 50's-
Still am . . . still am.
But I wasn't old.
I made plans to start my own business-
And submitted my resignation.
My colleagues were amazing-
They said, "We heard you're leaving at your age - are you crazy?"
I wasn't crazy-
I was just younger than I had been in years.
Live your life and forget your age-
That's what I did-
That's what I'm trying to do.

As we get older-
We need to take care of our bodies.
We need to exercise-
Moisturize-
And sometimes tranquilize.
And if you ever want to get your hair colored-
Go ahead-
Why not?
Why settle for 50 shades of grey?-
When you can have 50 shades darker.

But more important than the grey hair on your head-
Is the grey matter inside.
The grey matter-
Matters more.
Make it 50 shades younger.
Samuel Jackson didn't get his big break in film until Pulp Fiction-
He was 45.
Ray Kroc sold paper cups most of his career until he franchised McDonald's-
He was 55.
Grandma Moses, one of America's most beloved and iconic painters,
Didn't start painting until the arthritis in her hands was so bad
She could no longer knit-
She was 75.
Whenever I struggle with being a first-time entrepreneur-
And I do struggle-
It's people like them who inspire me to keep going.

These days when I look in the mirror-
I still see the grey-
But I also think of my favorite lyric from a Bob Dylan song-
I was so much older then; I'm younger than that now. [sings this line]
When you look in the mirror-
Don't just see what's on the outside-
See what's underneath.
Keep growing-
But don't grow old.
Live your life and forget your age-
Forget your age and live your life
.

Copyright © 2021 John Zimmer. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Brian Woolf's Comments: Fifty Shades of Grey has a risque connotation, so a speech with that title and "I have a confession" as opening words, certainly jangled my curiosity bells. I was captured at the proverbial 'hello" and John held me thereafter with his witty word use and his unexpected serious, relevant message-"Live your life and forget your age." It was a message made credible and convincing by his own life journey; the exceptional examples of some late-blooming oldies; and Bob Dylan's reinforcing, repeatable refrain: "Ah, but I was so much older then-I'm younger than that now." The speech was thoughtful, humorous, and left me on a high. Thanks, John.

Copyright © 2018 - 2025 John Zimmer (https://mannerofspeaking.org)

Have you seen 1,000 Perfect Sayings For Every Occasion?

Writing a speech or a presentation, and stuck for words? Never again! Imagine always having the perfect thing to say - the perfect way to provoke thought, to inspire and amaze...

This isn't a book of dry, dusty quotes - it's a creative goldmine of tried-and-tested powerful, witty and inspiring sayings and words of wisdom from every walk of life, for every imaginable speech, toast, pitch, presentation or social occasion - so get your copy now from Amazon!

Impress your listeners and readers with new ideas, insightful business pitches, unforgettable speeches and toasts, and add depth to your writing. From love and laughter to history, humanity and everything in creation, this book covers the whole human experience. You'll always have just the right words, right when you need them.

This is a curated collection of knowledge, humour, inspiration, and heartfelt sentiments, all neatly themed and categorised for easy access. Widen your horizons, deepen your meaning, and become a more engaging, entertaining rising star!

This book is an absolute goldmine for writing speeches and toasts; impressing social and business contacts; widening your personal horizons; mentoring and inspiring teams; being a more thought-provoking speaker; giving business presentations and pitches; and making your social posts, podcasts and vlogs more intriguing. There's a wealth of material for everyone, and for every occasion!

Get it on Amazon (Kindle/Print)
 
Copyright © 2001-2025 Peter J. Clark