Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It ’ s a great honor to stand here and share with you my experience about change. Have you ever had an experience that has impacted you so deeply that it changed the person you are? Before my mother passed away, I thought I had all the time in the world. But when she wasn ’ t there anymore, this thing changed the person I am. “ I don ’ t know where I ’ m sleeping tonight. I don ’ t know what I ’ m going to eat. I don ’ t have many things. But I do have two hands and two feet, a brain in my head and air in my lungs. What else do I really need? ” I said to myself. What else do you need to begin a day and lead a life that you do really need to lead? You know in your heart what it is, and what else needs to be changed when you step towards that. I wanted to go to school, so I knocked at every door at every school that could possibly interview me. I had been told “ no ” so many times, but I learned a valuable lesson at that time: As long as you keep knocking, somebody will eventually say “ yes ” . Have you ever asked yourself a question when you met difficulties in life —— “ What if ... ? ” What if I tried that much harder? What if I pushed one more time? What if I committed to going to school, and got the best grades? Could I change my life? I became so excited about that question. I woke up every single day on the street and used all the energy in my body to get things done, because the vision I had for myself was a bigger life that I ’ d like to step into. That became my commitment, instead of my excuse. That pushed me to overcome all the difficulties in the way. Today I stand here to tell you that even a homeless person can do something that totally changes her life. So now, if you also want to make a change, connect a vision for yourself, ask yourself “ what if ” , identify what ’ s in the way, and realize life doesn ’ t wait for anyone. Your life is not later, but right now. Thank you! ( )1. The author ’ s mother ’ s death changed the person she is. ( )2. The author is an unhealthy person. ( )3. The author was refused by all the schools. ( )4. The author gives three steps of making a change. ( )5. The author appeals to her audience by using accounts of personal experiences.