I think it is important to begin with a statement in your speech that grabs the attention of the audience. I try to make my opening line 15 words or less.
Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.
A teardrop on earth summons the King of heaven.
Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.
Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.