I thought it was time to switch things up in this corner of the internet. There is so much travel talk in this space, you might think that was the only thing going one in my life. Don't get me wrong, I love to travel and I love chatting about it. However, there are other things I enjoy and will like to share. I think this new series "Top 10" might be just where I share all those non-travel things I enjoy. Kicking the series off with Ted Talks.
I love a good Ted Talk and I have listened to a lot in my day. There are a select few I keep going back to. Some made me cry; others made me laugh and most left me wanting to get up and do. They are funny, thought-provoking; a good kick in the rare to motivate you to go, to do, to give. If you are into Ted Talks, I will love to read in the comments section your favorite Ted Talks. If you are not into Ted Talks, hopefully, these are a great introduction.
Monica Lewinsky's - The Price of Shame. "Public shaming as blood sport has to stop." This talk address the online culture of humiliation and how it has become a norm we need to push against. Every time I scroll through the comments section of a social media post I am reminded of this talk and wish I could personally recommend it to those who are less than kind online.
Shonda Rhimes - My year of saying "Yes" to everything. When I am hard at work, when I am deep in it, there is no other feeling. Shonda shares her year-long experience of saying "yes" to everything and how that impacted her life and her relationships. I relate to this on so many levels. Some of the best experiences of my life have come for that simple three letter word "Yes". I have listened to this one at least fifteen times.
Shah Rukh Khan - Thoughts on humanity, fame, and love. I sell dreams, and I peddle love to millions of people." have to admit I clicked on this one more for the speaker and less about the topic. Some of my favorite Indian movies star Mr. Khan. This talk is funny and thought-provoking as Mr. Khan shares stories from his life and career and some of the wisdom from a life in the spotlight.
Casey Gerald - The Gospel of Doubt. If I had to rank Ted Talks - this will be in the hall of fame of Ted Talk. The speaker shares his views on what happens when our firmly held beliefs turn out not to be true. This journey of doubt started out in a Church in East Texas and if you are patient to listen to the talk and not focus on the religious/faith analogies - it presents some thought provoking points and encourages Us to embrace the fact we don't know it all and as such maybe we should not plant ourselves firmly to an ideology or belief. Whatever that strongly held belief may be.
Cameron Russell - Looks aren't everything, Trust me I am a model. "Image is powerful, but also, image is superficial." This talk focuses on some of the nonglamorous side fo the modeling industry. The minority gap; limited control most models have over their final editorial amongst others. This is a fun but impactful listen.
Jennifer Brea - What happens when you have a disease doctors can't diagnose. "Despite everything, I still have hope." Jennifer talks about a disease that doctors could not diagnose and the weight of that unknown. is one that struck a personal cord with me. Not long ago - I was that person sat across yet another specialist (knowing something was wrong with me), but doctors could not find anything wrong. Listening to her talk brought back those feelings of hopelessness but it also provided hope for those who might find themselves in a similar place.
Anthony Romero - This what democracy looks like. "Everyone shall go freely without fear." This talk by the Executive Director of the ACLU is must listen if recent world events have got you asking questions or riled up. He discusses the need for us to speak up and stand up for fundamental value even when those values are to persons we don't necessarily agree with. This statement got me thinking (a lot) "Wait, these rights are for everybody, even the president that we don't like."
BJ Miller - What really matters at the end of life. "Parts of me died early on, and that's something we can all say one way or another. I got to redesign my life around this fact, and I tell you it has been a liberation to realize you can always find a shock of beauty or meaning in what life you have left, like that snowball lasting for a perfect moment, all the while melting away." I don't think I can give a synopsis better than this excerpt from the talk. Great listen.
Guy Winch - Why we all need emotional first aid. "I began to notice favoritism of a different kind; and that is, how much more we value the body than we do the mind." This was was particularly poignant for me - coming from a culture that tends to dismiss flippantly dismiss counseling. He talks about how we sustain more psychological injuries more than physical ones and we don't take the time to address those injuries and heal from them.
Bryan Stevenson - We need to talk about an injustice. "Mercy is not mercy is it is given to the deserving". I shed a lot of tears listening to this talk. Bryan navigates the American justice system based on his personal and professional experience whilst focusing on the seeming injustice that shrouds the system. His book "Just Mercy" expands on the Ted Talk and is on my reading list.