Be Like Tanjiro

_{The following speech was my speech from the 2025-09-25 Toastmasters Online Competition.}

Hello Everyone,
“Helping Others Often Ends up Helping Yourself ” Man, this quote really got me thinking. Because, quite frankly, growing up, I learned that I need to take care of myself first.
“Helping Others Often Ends up Helping Yourself.” This quote is from Tanjiro, who suggests putting other people first: So maybe I got it all wrong?

My name is Patrick, and today I want you to meet Tanjiro, a remarkable boy with relentless optimism and inspiring kindness.

Just to give you an example, just one example, which is enough to demonstrate his kindness: for days, Tanjiro had been walking through endless rice fields in Japan when he finally met another boy. The boy was hungry. So Tanjiro gives away his lunch, a delicious onigiri. The only food he has. He hands this rice ball to the hungry boy. A boy he doesn't really know. And who, frankly, just harassed a woman in front of him. Tanjiro was exhausted and hungry as well. But instead of dividing his food, he gave the stranger his entire lunch. Would you have done the same? You can probably guess what happened next. The stranger offered Tanjiro half of the rice ball! Essentially, Tanjiro was offered half of his own lunch. But still, Tanjiro’s face lit up with happiness and gratitude. 

Why? Because he genuinely did not expect anything in return. This is a perfect example of his empathy and kindness towards others. He provides for the people around him without expecting anything in return. And still, or maybe for that reason, this boy becomes his best friend and ends up saving his life.

You must probably be thinking, Oh, it is easy to be kind when you live a good life. But I struggle! But guess what? Tanjiro struggles, too. He struggles a lot. He is the eldest son. His father passed when he was young. His family is poor, and he shares a single room with his mother, his two sisters, and his two brothers. Then, one day, while he was out, trying to make a little money, his family was brutally murdered.  His sister, the only survivor, gets sick, and he tries everything that he can to protect and save her life.

His life is not easy. He is far from being happy. He is dealing with feelings of revenge and constantly worries about his sister. But even then, despite all of this, he manages to be cheerful and kind.

So, how can we be like Tanjiro? How can we radiate warmth and kindness despite struggling with our own lives? What can we, what can you learn from Tanjiro? I believe it is comprised of three things: empathy, optimism, and trust.

1. First, empathy: Tanjiro understands that everyone struggles with something. Life is hard for everyone, and this shared pain makes him compassionate. So, understand that everyone struggles in life. You are not alone.
2. Second, optimism: His optimism is grounded in resilience and hope. He accepts the circumstances and still chooses to move forward, even if it’s in small steps and even if it is hard.
3. Lastly, trust: He believes in others. Realize that good intentions and a little smile go a long way. So if you do good and treat others well, they will often be there to help you.

Of course, his story is purely fictional. But it still holds meaning. Despite everything that happened to him, he is like a walking bag of happiness and good intentions. How can we get there? We must build on empathy, optimism, and trust. That sounds like something people would put up on their walls, right?

It sounds so easy. However, we are all so busy with our own lives that we tend to forget those fundamental traits. Traits that make us human. So, please, be like Tanjiro. Try to be kind, even if it's as simple as offering a smile and a genuine 'thank you.' It might make someone’s day.
And, remember: “Helping Others Often Ends up Helping Yourself”

Thank you.