My introductory speech at Toast Master

Count your days by Smile not by tears

Count your days by Joys not by sorrows

Count your days by growing friendship

This was the autograph given by my very close friend during my college years. Why I remembered that now?

Thank You   Chair, welcome Fellow Toastmasters and honored Guests. I present to you my topic for today “Count Your Days “   I will be sharing with you my experience as new immigrant to Canada and also to take this opportunity to introducing myself to fellow toast masters.

Before boarding the flight to Toronto on April 5, 2013 I posted on face book “My journey from Good to Great. I had a successful   career in India. I reached to the Position of Director from Program Officer of an International non-profit organization in less than 5 years and was director for 6 years. I got an opportunity to visit couple of Countries as part of my job and also for presenting papers in International conferences.

I was doing well socially, physically and financially till Mid 2010, and due to my busy schedule I did not notice about that, I was compromising on my health and the day came when I realized its time to stop and rest and review what I am really looking for.  As per my friend’s advice above in the autograph I started giving time and meaning to each year, so Year 2010 became the Year of Mission. Mission 2010.

I applied for Canada Immigration under the professional category and received the Permanent Residency in 4 month’s time that’s pretty early than normal so I thought I am very much required by the country and was excited. My son was then in 7^th Grade and he too was also very much excited except my wife.  So Year 2011 become the Hope 2011. Many of my close friends were not happy with my decision and they gave me word of caution but I  already was at the tip of the happiness and I thought they  envy me

Year 2012 I titled it Dream 2012, our journey begun, as per plan we decided that we all travel to Canada my wife and son settle there and I provide them support from India for first six month and Join them in Sept 2012 again once my wife gets suitable employment. My wife being Registered Nurse with Bachelor In nursing, Hospital Management and 15 + years of experience we thought she will get the employment in no time. But the reality was different. She put all her efforts to get the first employment and as the days passed she got frustrated with the reality that its not easy to get employment.  Meanwhile my Educational Qualification got Canadian Equivalency and I also got License as Social Worker. I was also approved for my Human Resource career without any additional courses. Wasn’t it exciting news?  So I got excited that I will do well in this country and I boarded the flight with a slogan from Good To great!

I arrived, I saw and I conquered??? That’s was my dream in the flight.  My journey stated with lots of Employment counselors around with a slogan that this is not your country, this is not easy, you are not Canadian, you don’t have Canadian experience, forget your past, forget your name and change your name as per Canadian style. Someone said make it sunny or shiny so that people will accept you. Hard skills are of no use you need soft skills??????? And the fist thing came in my mind is this country accommodative?

I slogged, I cried, I got frustrated and I got angry but then I said to myself I can, so Year 2013 became I CAN  and I met many people around who were with similar experiences and then decided this is my lone fight and I should take it sportingly. I joined many forums, Network group, attended many workshops and bridging program and finally I was offered a part-time assignment for peanuts $400 per month but I said lets start with that and the year 2014 turned to be Great 2014. The Part time assignment turned  to  be my first full time job in Canada since July 2014.

I just remembered the quote” life that you are living now, is also a dream of millions. So always be satisfied with your life”.