You are Invaluable

Once a speaker was addressing a packed audience on the topic of ‘Self-respect and Motivation”. There was pin drop silence as all the participants were engrossed in the interesting anecdotes being given by the speaker. The speaker held out a 100 Rupee note high above his head. “Who would like to have this 100 Rupee note,” he asked, as he waved it over his head. All hands went up in the air.

“Good. I am glad that, all of you are honest enough to say that you need money. But I am now going to do something with this currency. Watch me and raise your hands if you still want it," he said. The speaker then went on to crumple the currency. “How many of you still want it?” he asked. All hands went up in the air. “Suppose I was to make the currency a little dirty, would you still want it?” Without waiting for an answer the speaker dropped the currency onto the floor and crushed it with his shoes. He then picked it up and showed it to the audience. It was all crumpled and dirty. There were loud gasps from the audience. “How many of you would still want it?” the speaker asked. 

Only a few hands went up now. “I am glad that at least a few of you still wanted the 100 Rupee note despite it being dirty and crumpled, while the others were unsure. This is because these few people realize that the 100 Rupee note is still as valuable as it was when it was clean. The external appearance of the currency may have changed but its value 100 is still the same. You have a very valuable lesson to learn from this,” the speaker said.

The audience sat in rapt attention as the speaker continued, “In life we go through many tormenting experiences that leaves us scarred, hurt, demoralized used by others. We lose our self-respect and motivation. In trying times just remember this 100 Rupee note. No matter how you are treated or viewed by others, always remember that you are special and unique in your own way. Do not allow bitter experiences to underestimate your self-worth or capabilities. Believe in yourself and progress is yours forever.” There was thunderous applause all around. 

Moral: You are invaluable. Never loose your self-respect.