PE 3/31 salman Khan Speech – Part 5

And this isn't just a commencement speaker trying to make you feel good or take weight off your shoulders. This is another member of your species who knows how badly the world needs you.

* take weight off one’s shoulders: to ease one’s mental or physical burden

ex> Knowing we were close to the top took weight off my shoulders.

ex> Let’s take weight off Mom’s shoulders and help her with her work.

Note> You can “put weight on one’s shoulders” to mean the opposite of this expression.

Who knows that MIT graduates, like a tall person who learns to slouch to not stand out, sometimes undersell who they are, even to themselves. I am, in fact, putting weight on your shoulders because I know how scarce and important a resource you are.

* slouch: to move, sit or stand in a relaxed, bent-over position

ex> A huge bag of flour lay slouched in the corner of the kitchen.

* stand out: to be conspicuous

ex> Eric stood out in the class because he was tall and always wore the same green sweater.

So with all that said, let me leave you with a thought experiment I use to help keep my priorities in check.

* keep something in check: to prevent something from exceeding limits

ex> A police car parked alongside the road can keep speeding motorists in check.

You begin to ponder your life. The career successes, how you've been able to provide for your family. You’ll think of all the great moments with your family and friends. But then you start to think about all of the things you wished you had done just a little differently, your regrets.

* provide for one’s family: to contribute a livelihood to be shared amongst family members

= bring home the bacon for your family; take care of your family; make ends meet for your family

ex> I used to lose a lot of sleep worrying about how to provide for my family.

ex> Today, both women and men provide for their families in a variety of ways.