Overcoming hopelessness | Nick Vujicic | TEDxNoviSad
Summary
TLDRNick Voyage shares his inspiring life story, born in Australia without limbs in 1982, he moved to California in 2006. Overcoming bullying and suicidal thoughts, he emphasizes the power of choice, hope, and love. Voyage, who integrates his faith, advocates for anti-bullying and the value of life, encouraging everyone to find their purpose and believe in their inherent worth, regardless of physical appearance or societal pressures.
Takeaways
- π Nick Vujicic, born without limbs in Australia in 1982, moved to California in 2006 and has become an inspirational speaker.
- π£οΈ He emphasizes the importance of transforming obstacles into opportunities and has spoken to millions, including at corporate events and schools.
- π‘ Vujicic discusses the universal human quest for hope and how it's not something we are born with but something we must find through life's challenges.
- π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ He shares his personal struggles with bullying and feelings of being a burden, which led him to contemplate suicide at a young age.
- π Nick talks about the power of words and how discouraging comments can have a lasting negative impact on one's self-worth.
- π€ He highlights the significance of love and support from family, especially his parents' affirmation that he was beautiful and special despite his physical limitations.
- π Vujicic was the first special-needs child integrated into the mainstream education system in Australia and was awarded Young Citizen of the Year in 1990.
- π± He encourages people to find their purpose and to believe in their inherent value, regardless of societal standards or physical appearance.
- π« Nick speaks out against bullying and the negative messages that can be internalized, especially by teenagers, promoting self-worth and acceptance.
- π He shares his views on love and relationships, advocating for commitment and the importance of emotional connection over physical attributes.
- π Vujicic has written books, acted in films, and used his life story to inspire others to overcome their own walls and find hope.
Q & A
Who is the speaker in the video script?
-The speaker in the video script is Nick Voyage, a man born without limbs who has become a motivational speaker.
Where was Nick Voyage born and when did he move to California?
-Nick Voyage was born in Australia in 1982, and he moved to California in the year 2006.
What is the main message Nick Voyage is trying to convey in his speeches?
-Nick Voyage's main message is about transforming obstacles into opportunities and finding hope and happiness despite life's challenges.
What is the title of the message that Nick Voyage has been given?
-The title of the message that Nick Voyage has been given is 'Transforming the Walls into Doors'.
How does Nick Voyage define hope?
-Nick Voyage defines hope as something that one cannot have just because they were born with it; it is developed through overcoming difficulties and making choices.
What challenges did Nick Voyage face in his early school years?
-In his early school years, Nick Voyage faced challenges such as bullying and teasing from other kids due to his physical condition.
How did Nick Voyage's parents influence his outlook on life?
-Nick Voyage's parents taught him to make a choice to be thankful for what he does have instead of being angry for what he lacks, which greatly influenced his outlook on life.
What recognition did Nick Voyage receive in 1990?
-In 1990, Nick Voyage was awarded Young Citizen of the Year in Australia.
What is the significance of Nick Voyage's story about meeting a young boy with no arms and no legs?
-The story signifies that even without receiving a miracle for himself, Nick Voyage could be a miracle for someone else by offering hope and inspiration.
What does Nick Voyage believe about the power of words and their impact on a person's life?
-Nick Voyage believes that words are powerful and can either uplift or discourage a person, leaving lasting impacts on their self-perception and outlook on life.
How does Nick Voyage view love and its role in life?
-Nick Voyage views love as a lifelong commitment and something that can heal and complete the soul, emphasizing the importance of love within the context of marriage and family.
What is the main theme of Nick Voyage's book 'Life Without Limits'?
-The main theme of Nick Voyage's book 'Life Without Limits' is overcoming obstacles and living a life without boundaries despite physical or perceived limitations.
Outlines
π Overcoming Adversity Through Hope
Nick Voyage shares his life story, born without limbs in Australia and moving to California in 2006. He discusses the importance of hope and transforming obstacles into opportunities. Despite facing bullying and contemplating suicide, Nick emphasizes the power of choice and gratitude, highlighting his parents' encouragement and his journey to mainstream education, receiving the 'Young Citizen of the Year' award in 1990. He speaks globally on life's value and anti-bullying, conveying that love and hope are essential for strength and survival.
π The Struggle with Self-Worth and the Power of Love
Nick delves into his darkest moments, including his thoughts of suicide at a young age and the realization that giving up would burden his family more. He underscores the significance of parental support and affirmation, as well as the universal search for love and acceptance. Nick challenges the audience to value themselves beyond appearances and social status, advocating for the transformative power of love and the importance of self-worth, especially in the context of teenage struggles.
π From Despair to Inspiration: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Nick reflects on his life's purpose and the importance of understanding one's own value and reason for existence. He discusses the impact of words and attitudes on self-perception and the healing power of love and self-acceptance. Nick shares his experiences with fame, recognition, and the profound realization that his life can serve as a beacon of hope for others, turning his disability into a source of inspiration rather than a barrier.
π¬ The Impact of Words and the Quest for Inner Peace
In this paragraph, Nick highlights the power of words and the potential for self-doubt and discouragement they can instill. He encourages individuals to seek inner peace and a clear understanding of their identity and purpose. Nick also addresses the emptiness of material pursuits and the enduring value of love and hope, using his own experiences and achievements to inspire others to dream big and persevere.
π± Transforming Pain into Purpose: A Message of Resilience
Nick continues to share his message of resilience, focusing on the transformation of personal pain into a purposeful life. He talks about the universal desire for hope and the need for love to fill the void left by material success. Nick's narrative includes his experiences with bullying, the struggle with self-worth, and the pivotal moment of nearly ending his life, only to realize the importance of perseverance and the impact he could have on others.
π Embracing Life's Challenges as Stepping Stones to Greatness
Nick concludes his story by emphasizing the importance of embracing life's challenges and using them as stepping stones to greatness. He discusses his belief in a greater purpose and the potential for individuals to become miracles for others, even when they do not receive the miracles they seek. Nick's narrative is a testament to the power of faith, hope, and love in overcoming adversity and finding fulfillment in life.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Transformation
π‘Obstacles
π‘Hope
π‘Pain
π‘Choice
π‘Bullying
π‘Value
π‘Love
π‘Faith
π‘Suicide
π‘Purpose
Highlights
Nick Vujicic, born without limbs in 1982, shares his life story and message of hope.
Moved from Australia to California in 2006, Vujicic has become a motivational speaker.
His talks focus on transforming obstacles into opportunities and finding hope amidst adversity.
Vujicic emphasizes the importance of choosing gratitude over anger despite life's challenges.
He discusses the prevalence of global issues like hunger, suicide, and slavery to highlight the search for hope.
Nick's early life was marked by bullying, but his parents' encouragement played a crucial role in his resilience.
Being the first special-needs child in mainstream education in Australia, Vujicic was recognized as Young Citizen of the Year in 1990.
Vujicic speaks to large audiences, promoting the value of life and anti-bullying messages globally.
He shares his struggles with suicidal thoughts and the moment of realization that led him to choose life.
Nick's message is about the power of love and hope in overcoming life's difficulties and finding one's purpose.
Vujicic challenges the idea that material wealth can bring happiness, advocating for the healing power of love and self-worth.
He discusses the importance of self-acceptance and not being defined by physical appearance or societal standards.
Nick talks about his experiences with love, marriage, and fatherhood, emphasizing the depth of emotional connection over physical limitations.
Vujicic's perspective on the difference between love as a lifelong commitment versus casual encounters.
He encourages finding one's purpose and the 'why' of life, as stated by William Barclay, for ultimate fulfillment.
Nick shares a story of meeting a child like himself, illustrating the power of being a 'miracle' for others when one doesn't receive a miracle.
Vujicic's achievements, including public speaking, writing books, and acting, demonstrate that dreams are possible regardless of physical limitations.
He concludes with a call to find peace, self-acceptance, and purpose to transform one's life and inspire others.
Transcripts
by the corner by lair for guys my name
is Nick voyage I was born in Australia
in 1982 moved from Australia to
California in the year 2006 and my life
story I'm just thankful that people has
have seen my life on some sort of level
whether it's just YouTube videos or
seeing pictures of a limbless guys smile
you know people always ask me you know
what happened to you and and how did you
overcome what you've been through the
title of the message that I've been
given is transforming the walls into
doors when I speak corporately the line
that I like to use is changing obstacles
into opportunities now I'm very well
aware to to share with you as well I
know that there are a billion people
going hungry today
I know that this year a million people
will commit suicide it's one every 40
seconds I know today they're 120 million
slaves and I've met sex slaves and I've
seen the top of the pyramid as far as
business and met the billionaires
I've met bankers and I've also met
orphans we're all looking for something
we're all looking for hope hope you
can't just have just because you were
born with hope no we're born with pain
we're born and lived through
difficulties and in our life my parents
always taught me that even though we
don't know why I was born this way that
we have a choice I did to be angry for
what we don't have or be thankful for
what we do have the power of that choice
was the first thing that I had to
overcome and decide for myself
especially in the early years of school
a lot of kids would come up to me and
tease me and I have been speaking at
five congresses I've met seven
presidents
all around the world my largest crowd
was 110,000 I have 30,000 invitation
for me to speak so wherever I go I talk
about the value of life I talk about
anti-bullying messages for the school
systems and different nations the
greatest thing is love when we feel like
we don't have enough love and we don't
have enough hope we start losing
strength to live for me in my life as a
child I had a big wall I was surrounded
by four walls and a low ceiling of
opportunity I was set free in so many
different ways and especially surviving
from day to day with my parents who
loved me who encouraged me who told me
that I was beautiful the way that I was
and not to worry about what other people
said about me I was actually the first
special-needs child to be integrated
into the mainstream education system in
Australia and I was awarded young
citizen of the Year in 1990 and the
world is a hurting place and the world
needs hope and the world needs love
without hope we feel like why are we
here
well brokenness here's mine
today I still have no arms or legs but
everything's changed everything for me I
was looking for hope and happiness and I
couldn't see it for many years in fact
if this side of the table represents my
hope truth encourages me to become all
that I can be but then we have lies
every day coming in our mind
people who discourage us you know the
people that you have in your life who no
matter how good of a day you're having
they'll bring you down or and no matter
how bad of a day you're having they'll
bring you even lower you know what I'm
talking about
think of the three biggest discourages
in your life they're not your biggest
discourages you are you are it only
takes three seconds for me to tell you
something discouraging but then you may
never forget my words I've met so many
50-year old women
forty-year-old women who still remember
what their fathers told them that they
wish they never heard words are powerful
when you hear those words and then your
mind starts growing with these lies Nick
you're not good enough Nick just give up
Nick you're never gonna get a job you
won't get married you can't even hold
your wife's hand what kind of a father
are you gonna be if you can't even pick
up your kids when they're crying you're
alone I'm sure your parents hug you but
their hugs can't heal you just give up
just give up
just give up just give up just give up
at age eight I thought that I should
commit suicide why I didn't have hope I
thought I didn't have hope today you can
see that I had hope what's the word
believing in something you do not see
faith words can only do so much
hugs can do much more than words but
when hugs can't do anything that's where
faith kicks in for me words and hugs
were not enough but I had no faith so I
tried to give up at age ten tried to
drown myself in six inches of 15
centimeters of water in my home I told
my dad I just wanted to relax but really
I wanted to end my life I had enough
Dustin me a beer okay
the first two times I rolled over I was
trying to work out how much error
holding my lungs before I let it out the
third time in my mind knowing that I
wanted to get out of here because of the
bullying in my life because I was gonna
be a burden to my parents and had
nothing to look forward to I realized at
that moment that if I actually went
through with committing suicide I would
leave a greater burden for my parents
then they already had there was one
thing less sorry there was one thing
less hopeful or or more burdensome than
having a child without limbs what is it
a child without limbs who gives up so
when I saw in my mind my mom and my dad
and my brother crying at my grave if I
went through with it that one thought
saved me if my parents never told me
that I was beautiful the way that I was
if my parents ever told me that I was
special and then I was loved I wouldn't
be here today so I encourage every
single parent who tries their best to
encourage their teenagers especially in
the West many teenagers put a Do Not
Disturb sign on their door I'm sure you
know the conversations all around the
world between a parent and a teenager
how is school fine why'd you learn
nothing did you do your homework no and
that's the conversation for the day and
when you try tell your children that
they're beautiful
so of course I'm beautiful your son I'm
your daughter
of course you're gonna say that but
they're right every single human being
has value and my value is not determined
on how I look or what job I have or
where I'm from where I was born how much
money all that stuff is nothing so many
teenagers you know tease each other for
how we look and I tell the teenagers do
you think that I'm cool enough to be a
friend they're like yeah of course so
but I have no arms no legs they said
doesn't matter sit really so it doesn't
matter that I have no arms no legs I
said no it doesn't matter I said then
actually if it doesn't matter then why
do we kill each other with our words if
it
actually doesn't matter why do we look
ourselves in the mirror and see ugly
instead of valuable I wanna ask you
today what are you looking for if I gave
you a billion dollars would you be happy
if you gave me a billion dollars I'd be
very happy but then if my mum dies
tonight am I happy no with all the money
in the world I'll never be happy my cos
money is something that cannot heal the
soul so many teenagers are looking for
love which love does heal the soul love
does complete the soul but even sex
before marriage I am I was a virgin
before I got married yeah I've got a
gorgeous wife we're pregnant with our
first son and I don't need hands to hold
her hand I only want to hold her heart
and you know how am I gonna hug my kids
so many kids they come up to me it's
amazing they put their hands behind
their back and hug me with their neck
and I've realized in life even the worst
parts of my life can be turned into good
and even more special so many teenagers
are looking for love so they're going to
go do this and go do that and have sex
before marriage for me sex out of
marriage is like a $5 Gucci watch
sex within marriage and having sex with
someone who loves you who's committed to
you for the rest of your life going to
be the mother or father of your kids
that's what love is you can talk you can
sleep with as many people as you like
but never know for sure do they love me
love is a lifelong commitment you see
there are choices in life and we're
looking I want to ask you what are you
looking for well if I can just get drunk
why not man I'm only live once well if
that's the way you believe great but for
me I'm a greedy man I don't want to live
for 90 years I want to live for billions
of years and I know that every day my
choices will affect this life other
people's life and my eternal life you've
got to come to the truth of knowing who
you are and why you're here William
Barclay he said the greatest two days in
anyone's life the day you were born and
the day you knew why
so ooh you're ugly
no I'm beautiful the way that I am and
if you can't believe that for yourself
so many girls especially stay with the
emotionally abusive boyfriend's because
if I break up with him then who's gonna
want me see we all we all want love
that's why we do what we do sometimes to
get into the crowd I'm gonna swear I'm
gonna be cool that's what this world is
I want to look like her only if I was
taller shorter smarter more popular
whatever you want it's not enough until
you find the truth and wonderfully and
fearfully made there's a greater purpose
for my life I am here for a reason
sure I didn't get a miracle yeah I
believe in a God who can do miracles and
I have a pair of shoes in my closet why
I've seen blind people seeing in deaf
people hearing that's fine if you don't
believe me I got it on camera but I
realized something if God doesn't change
my circumstance he's gonna use my life
to be a miracle for someone else when
you don't get a miracle you can still be
a miracle for someone else
and if closed off with this beautiful
story I was in Southern California I
have two organizations I have a
nonprofit organization and I have a
for-profit I probably spoke between
years 2007 and 2010 one thousand times
600 flights and I've spoken to 4.5
million people face to face in the last
48 hours here in Serbia we've reached 5
million through media so we have the
heart of people to love others we want
people to love each other love yourself
dream big and never give up we're all
looking for hope aren't we
what are you looking for money drugs sex
alcohol pornography fame fortune never
satisfied
it's never enough but I have come to her
peace so check this out when I'm 24
years old five six years ago I was in
California and I never met anybody else
like me when I was 10 years old I wish I
would have met somebody like me never
did didn't get that miracle but at 24 in
California saw a little boy with no arms
and no legs 19 months old just like me I
knew who was gonna be bullied I knew who
was gonna go through depression I knew
he would feel alone I knew that he would
get worried if he's ever gonna have a
girlfriend and so on and so I got the
father to bring him up on stage in front
of 2,000 people and everyone who was
crying and it was a materialization of
when you don't get a miracle you can be
a miracle for someone else I am NOT a
superhero I go through ups and downs so
do you but take one day at a time and if
you haven't found that peace of knowing
who you are and why you're here and
where you're going when you're not here
for me
I want you to know that's how I've
overcome I don't have any walls my book
is called life without limits and what
will be will be I've acted in a short
film 30 Awards I got Best Actor on a
short film I've done my own music video
I've written two books first book 30
languages 800,000 copies I'm 29 and we
know a billion people know who I am not
to bring up my pride on my name on my
status
trust me I'm just like you but I hope
you are inspired to know that if I can
dream big then so can you the honor was
find your piece and you'll make your
walls doors thank you so much
you
you just put a Do Not Disturb sign on
their door I'm sure you know the
conversations all around the world
between a parent and a teenage and how
is school fine why'd you learn nothing
did you do your homework no and that's
the conversation for the day and when
you try tell your children that they're
beautiful so of course I'm beautiful
your son I'm your daughter of course
you're gonna say that but they're right
every single human being has value and
my value is not determined on how I look
or what job I have or where I'm from
where I was born how much money all that
stuff is nothing so many teenagers you
know tease each other for how we look
and I tell the teenagers do you think
that I'm cool enough to be your friend
they're like yeah of course so but I
have no arms no legs they said doesn't
matter
sit really so it doesn't matter that I
have no arms no legs
I said no it doesn't matter I said then
actually if it doesn't matter then why
do we kill each other with our words if
it actually doesn't matter why do we
look ourselves in the mirror and see
ugly instead of valuable I want to ask
you today what are you looking for if I
gave you a billion dollars would you be
happy if you gave me a billion dollars
I'd be very happy but then if my mum
dies tonight am I happy no with all the
money in the world I'll never be happy
why cause money is something that cannot
heal the soul so many teenagers are
looking for love which love does healed
the soul love does complete the soul but
even sex before marriage I am I was a
virgin before I got married yeah I've
got a gorgeous wife we're pregnant with
our first son and I don't need hands to
hold her hand I only want to hold her
heart and you know how am I gonna hug my
kids so many kids they come up to me
it's amazing they put their hands behind
their back and hug me with their neck
and I've realised in life even the worst
parts of my life can be turned into good
and even more special so many teenagers
are looking for love so they're going to
go do this and go do that and have sex
before marriage for me sex out of
marriage is like a $5 Gucci watch sex
within marriage and having sex with
someone who loves you stems and
different nations the greatest thing is
love when we feel like we don't have
enough love and we don't have enough
hope we start losing strength to live
for me in my life as a child I had a big
wall I was surrounded by four walls and
a low ceiling of opportunity I was set
free in so many different ways and
especially surviving from day to day
with my parents who loved me who
encouraged me who told me that I was
beautiful the way that I was and not to
worry about what other people said about
me I was actually the first
special-needs child to be integrated
into the mainstream education system in
Australia and I was awarded young
citizen of the Year in 1990 and the
world is a hurting place and the world
needs hope in the world needs love
without hope we feel like why are we
here well brokenness here's mine
today I still have no arms no legs but
everything's changed everything for me I
was looking for hope and happiness and I
couldn't see it for many years in fact
if this side of the table represents my
hope truth encourages me to become all
that I can be but then we have lies
every day coming in our mind
people who discourage us you know the
people that you have in your life who no
matter how good of a day you're having
they'll bring you down or and no matter
how bad of a day you're having they'll
bring you even lower you know what I'm
talking about
think of the three biggest discourages
in your life
they're not your biggest discourages you
are you are
don't takes three seconds for me to tell
you something discouraging but then you
may never forget my words I've met so
many 50 year-old women and 40 year-old
women who still remember what their
fathers told them that they wish they
never heard words are powerful when you
hear those words and then your mind
starts growing with these lies Nick
you're not good enough Nick just give up
Nick you're never gonna get a job you
won't get mad
by the corner while air poor guys my
name is Nick voyage I was born in
Australia in 1982 moved from Australia
to California in the year 2006 and my
life story I'm just thankful that people
has have seen my life on some sort of
level whether it's just YouTube videos
or seeing pictures of a limbless guys
smile you know people always ask me you
know what happened to you and and how
did you overcome what you've been
through the title of the message that
I've been given is transforming the
walls into doors when I speak
corporately the line that I like to use
is changing obstacles into opportunities
now I'm very well aware to to share with
you as well I know that there are a
billion people going hungry today
I know that this year a million people
will commit suicide it's one every 40
seconds I know today there are 120
million slaves and I've met sex slaves
and I've seen the top of the pyramid as
far as business and met the billionaires
I've met bankers and I've also met
orphans we're all looking for something
we're all looking for hope hope you
can't just have just because you were
born with hope no we're born with pain
we're born and lived through
difficulties and in our life my parents
always taught me that even though we
don't know why I was born this way that
we have a choice I did to be angry for
what we don't have or be thankful for
what we do have the power of that choice
was the first thing that I had to
overcome and decide for myself
especially in the early years of school
a lot of kids would come up to me and
tease me
and I have been speaking at five
congresses I've met seven presidents all
around the world my largest crowd was
110,000 I have 30,000 invitations for me
piquΓ© so wherever I go I talk about the
value of life I talk about anti-bullying
messages for the school sound you can't
even hold your wife's hand what kind of
a father are you gonna be if you can't
even pick up your kids when they're
crying you're alone I'm sure your
parents hug you but their hugs can't
heal you just give up just give up
just give up just give up just give up
at age eight I thought that I should
commit suicide why didn't have hope I
thought I didn't have hope today you can
see that I had hope what's the word
believing in something you do not see
faith words can only do so much hugs can
do much more than words but when hugs
can't do anything that's where faith
kicks in for me words and hugs were not
enough but I had no faith so I tried to
give up at age ten tried to drown myself
in six inches of 15 centimeters of water
in my home I told my dad I just wanted
to relax but really I wanted to end my
life I had enough busting me a beer okay
the first two times I rolled over
I was trying to work out how much error
holding my lungs before I let it out the
third time in my mind knowing that I
wanted to get out of here because of the
bullying in my life because I was gonna
be a burden to my parents and I had
nothing to look forward to I realized at
that moment that if I actually went
through with committing suicide I would
leave a greater burden for my parents
than they already had it still was one
thing less sorry there was one thing
less hopeful or or more burdensome than
having a child without limbs what is it
a child without limbs who gives up
so when I saw in my mind my mom and my
dad and my brother crying at my grave if
I went through with it that one thought
saved me if my parents never told me
that I was beautiful the way that I was
if my parents ever told me that I was
special and then I was loved I wouldn't
be here today so I encourage every
single parent who tries their best to
encourage their teenagers especially in
the West many to who's committed to you
for the rest of your life going to be
the mother or father of your kids that's
what love is
you can talk you can sleep with as many
people as you like but never know for
sure do they love me love is a lifelong
commitment you see there are choices in
life and we're looking I want to ask you
what are you looking for well if I can
just get drunk why not man I'm only live
once well if that's the way you believe
great but for me I'm a greedy man I
don't want to live for 90 years I want
to live for billions of years
and I know that every day my choices
will affect this life other people's
life and my eternal life you've got to
come to the truth of knowing who you are
and why you're here William Barclay he
said the greatest two days in anyone's
life the day you were born and the day
you knew why so ooh you're ugly no I'm
beautiful the way that I am and if you
can't believe that for yourself so many
girls especially stay with the
emotionally abusive boyfriends because
if I break up with him then who's gonna
want me see we all we all want love
that's why we do what we do sometimes to
get into the crown I'm gonna swear I'm
gonna be cool that's what this world is
I want to look like her I want like if I
was taller shorter smarter more popular
whatever you want it's not enough until
you find the truth and wonderfully and
fearfully made there's a greater purpose
for my life I am here for a reason
sure I didn't get a miracle yeah I
believe in a God who can do miracles and
I have a pair of shoes in my closet why
I've seen blind people seeing and deaf
people
that's fine if you don't believe me I
got it on camera but I realized
something if God doesn't change my
circumstance he's gonna use my life to
be miracle for someone else when you
don't get a miracle you can still be a
miracle for someone else
and if closed off with this beautiful
story I was in Southern California I
have two organizations I have a
nonprofit organization and I have a
for-profit I probably spoke between
years 2007 and 2010
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