Do you know anyone who doesn’t need a boost in their positivity right now? Recent events in the world can make us wonder what happened to the sanity in our humanity. Here’s hoping these talks will lift your spirits and your confidence that all is not lost.
I still believe the majority of the world believes that every day we are so lucky to be right here right now. It’s up to us to move ahead to make life the best it can be for ourselves and everyone else.
Being Positive On Purpose is NOT about pretending that everything is OK…when it’s not. It’s about looking life right in the eye and choosing to see every dark time as a chance to course-correct with the most positive reaction possible. It is about finding others to collaborate within creating positive solutions for the future. It’s about choosing to feel powerful and purposeful in the face of tragic circumstances, even while we are grieving.
Choosing The Positive Path is not just a nice idea, it’s a belief system that can become a way of life.
Enjoy these Top 10 TED Talks of all time to propel you forward...
#1 YOUR ELUSIVE CREATIVE GENIUS: ELIZABETH GILBERT
"Eat, Pray, Love" author Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal, and surprisingly moving talk.
#2 PHILOSOPHY FOR A HAPPY LIFE: SAM BERNS
Sam was diagnosed with Progeria, a rare, rapid aging disease, at the age of 2. He refused to allow his disease to define him and worked to overcome limitations others said he never would. He lived life on his own terms and has been an inspiration to millions around the world to "focus on what you CAN do, not what you can't do."
#3 WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A MIND: LUCINDA BEAMAN
“A man convinced against his will is of his opinion still”. Ever tried to change a person’s mind when they weren’t really that convinced? Impossible, right? As fact check editor, Lucinda Beaman sees first-hand the conflict between facts and beliefs. She offers a framework for understanding how we process information and how we can connect with those who disagree with us, an important idea for these divisive times.
#4 CHOICE, HAPPINESS & SPAGHETTI SAUCE: MALCOLM GLADWELL
What does the pursuit of the perfect spaghetti sauce have to do with happiness? Find out in this TED Talk, where acclaimed author Malcolm Gladwell uses a unique story to explore themes about the nature of human behavior.
#5 THE POWER OF VULNERABILITY: BRENE BROWN
Brené Brown is a shame and vulnerability expert who studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, and love. In this poignant (and funny) talk that has been viewed over 6 million times, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.
#6 THE SURPRISING SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS: DAN GILBERT
When people talk about happiness, it’s often referred to as a search—a quest to find something so elusive and out of reach, that there are now a bottomless pit of ideas on how to acquire it. But shockingly, it could be our power to choose from thousands of great experiences in life that actually keeps us from being happy. In this TED Talk, psychologist Dan Gilbert breaks down happiness into its two most basic components—the happiness we stumble upon and the happiness we create—to reveal a shocking truth.
#7 WHAT REALITY ARE YOU CREATING FOR YOURSELF: ISAAC LIDSKY
In this introspective, personal talk, Isaac Lidsky encourages us to let go of excuses, assumptions, and fears, and accept the awesome responsibility of being the creators of our own reality.
#8 A KINDLER, GENTLER PHILOSOPHY FOR SUCCESS: ALAIN DE BOTTON
Psychologist and author Alain de Botton examines our ideas of success and failure — and questions the assumptions underlying these two labels. Is success always earned? Is failure? He makes an eloquent, witty case to move beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work.
#9 YOUR BODY LANGUAGE MAY SHAPE WHO YOU ARE: AMY CUDDY
There has been a lot of research into how others perceive our body language, and the importance of sending the right message. However, Amy Cuddy delves into how we are influenced by our own body language — and how a few strategic power poses can make a world of difference in our self-confidence and stress levels.
#10 THE ORCHESTRA IN MY MOUTH: TOM THUM
It’s been said many times that wildly charismatic beatboxer, Tom Thum, appears to have ‘not only a symphony orchestra but also a jazz band, techno DJ, 80’s synth-pop group and collection of exotic world instruments all residing somewhere in his throat’. In this highly entertaining performance, he slings beats, comedy, and a mouthful of instrumental impersonations into 11 minutes of creativity and fun that will make you smile.
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