My Favorite TED Talks That Influenced My Life
A TED talk is a recorded public-speaking presentation that was originally given at the main TED (technology, entertainment, and design) annual event or one of its many satellite events around the world. TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. It is an amazing resource for anyone looking to further their knowledge and self-education. When I need some inspiration, I usually watch a TED Talk. It has inspiring and moving words and gives me a renewed sense of purpose. If you’re in the same boat and want some motivation to move forward; say no more!
My Favorite TED Talks That Influenced My Life
The beauty of being a misfit
Lidia Yuknavitch, an American writer and teacher, shared her message about the beauty of being a misfit. She defined a “misfit” as a person who sort of missed fitting in or “a person who fits in badly”. She loves the way the word “misfit” tells multiple stories with only one simple definition.
Yuknavitch called herself a misfit because of what she went through. She shared her story about how she came from an abusive household, had two failed marriages, and failed college twice. She even went through rehab, two years in jail, and her daughter died. Therefore, she “missed fitting into every category out there.”
The most inspiring part of this talk for me is the reminder that even in the moment of our failure, we are beautiful. We can be standing dead center in the middle of your failure and still, we are beautiful. Our story deserves to be heard, because we are phenomenal misfits, as she put it. We can reinvent ourselves endlessly. And that’s our beauty.
Embracing otherness, embracing myself
Actor Thandie Newton’s TED Talk on ‘Embracing Otherness, embracing myself. She told the story of finding her “otherness” and how she lost herself many times — first, as a child growing up in two distinct cultures, and then as an actor playing with many different selves.
Her TED Talk is enlightening, and it has given me food for thought about certain questions I’ve had in my own life. Her words ring true; we must celebrate our existence and wonder at what lies next.
One of Newton’s main points is that society as a whole need to learn to value and embrace the difference of others. To do this, we need to discover who we truly are and how we are interconnected with all other forms of life
Why having fun is the secret to a healthier life
Science journalist, Catherine Price shared a talk about “Why having fun is the secret to a healthier life”. She proposed a new definition of fun, what she calls “true fun” and its connection to our everyday life.
What I love about this talk is how she redefined the word “FUN”. That in reality, fun is not just lighthearted pleasure. It’s not just for kids, and it is not frivolous. Instead, fun is the secret to feeling alive. Fun makes us healthier and unites us.
We live in a polarized world, and as we all know, there are a lot of very serious problems. But while we’re having a good time with others, we forget about differences like political affiliation, nationality, or religion. As fellow human beings, we can relate to them.
Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model.
Model Cameron Russell spoke on the TED stage and discussed the idea that “looks aren’t everything.” In her speech, she used her own story to emphasize that looks are not everything. She made some valid arguments that even though appearances and body image are important considerations in the modeling industry, it does not stop there.
And despite difficulties and uncertainty, people should be at ease with themselves and embrace their unique identities.
What I appreciate most about this talk is how Russell emphasizes how unfair it is when people are assessed only based on their race or looks. It’s easy to overlook the fact that it causes daily insecurities that hamper development. No matter how someone looks on the outside, they should be treated equally.
My story is painted on my body.
Winnie Harlow (or Chantelle Brown-Young), a model and activist, emphasized during her talk that she sees beauty in all things. She spoke briefly about how her experience with vitiligo encouraged her to reject societal standards of beauty and instead create her own. Despite everything that had happened to her, she cast off the baggage of the past, formed her own opinion, and shaped her present.
True to what Harlow said, there is no need to conform to anyone’s preconceived notions about how we should all think and act. Just be yourself. Rather than asking someone or a magazine, we should learn to define beauty for ourselves. Acknowledge it on a deep level and shape your idea of beauty accordingly.
These are merely a few of my favorite ted talks that have helped me rethink my life’s purpose. Talks that influenced my path in the direction I wanted. As its name suggests, TED TALK features talks on a wide variety of interesting topics. Humanity, oneself, society, the individual, and other such topics are discussed. I hope you learn something from this article and TED Talk. If you want to read more of the author’s work, click here.
