Appreciating the Little Things

Speaker Tania Luna tells her inspiring personal story in this appreciation speech. It’s easy for one to forget how lucky they are when they've grown up in a financially secure environment. Growing up homeless, Luna learned to appreciate all of the small pleasures she received.

Luna talks about coming to America and staying in a homeless shelter with her family. However, she didn’t know it was a homeless shelter, she thought it was a hotel. Compared to the living conditions she had been exposed to while living in Chernobyl, she felt lucky to be there. She talks about how finding a penny on the ground made her feel rich. Luna reveals that her husband grew up homeless as well, but had a small collection of toys and comics that kept him happily occupied no matter how hungry he got or how bleak his situation was.

Growing up with almost nothing has a way of making one appreciate what they have. Luna stresses the importance of finding value in one’s surroundings or possessions, even if they don’t have a lot.