Appreciate every second of your life

Hi, my name is Damla and I’d like to welcome everyone to my speech which I’m gonna call: appreciate every second of your life – and start right NOW.

Few months ago I was sitting at my mentor’s house and we were talking about  everything under the sun. He asked me: „Damla, how is it possible that you enjoy every single thing in life – no matter how small it is?“ He was talking about my childish joy when I saw soap-bubbles. He mentioned my sparkling eyes when I listened to good music. He admired the way I sucked in the chilled air of the waves at the Bosphorus. He adored the way I described the taste of dark chocolate melting in my mouth. For him, I was a connoisseur. For me, this was how life was meant to be.

I remember that two years ago I was part of the Spanish drama group of our university. We’d rehearsed a play for about a year. I’d invested many hours, weeks, months and efforts in this performance. Finally the dream was gonna come true: the premiere was in sight. But less than 24 hours before, I had to be urgently hospitalized because of my appendix. Unexpectedly, I had to undergo surgery, had lots of pain and some scars. The performance… – remained a dream. Of course it was nothing serious, but this experience has reminded me of the finiteness of life. Within seconds our life can change. And it’s neither a matter of age, nor a matter of lifestyle. Our life dangles on a string. We don’t know how long we’ll be able to enjoy its ups and downs.

I believe that experiences like this have made me the person I am now. I don’t take it for granted… – that I can walk. I don’t take it for granted… – that I can see. I don’t take it for granted… – that I can smell. I don’t take it for granted… – that I can hear. I don’t take it for granted… – that I can speak. I don’t take it for granted… – that I can feel.

I deeply appreciate every second of my life.

I am asking you to appreciate every second of your life as well. Be thankful for all the things you have. Don’t procrastinate. When there are unspoken words… – speak them out loud. When there are things undone… do them – now. Seize the day. „Tomorrow“ can be too late. Live life to its fullest and be aware of the beauty around you. There is a proverb that says: „Health is the crown on the well person’s head that only the ill person can see.“ Tomorrow can be too late. We live in here and now. Start appreciating every second of your life right now.

Thank you.

© Damla Hekimoglu