So you have found yourself in a place where you are making a conscious effort to live your best life. I am confident that you will define what that your best life will look like for you. However, I also am confident that your best life will require a few things. I am sharing some of the TED talks that have helped me in my journey towards living my best life. I hope they help you too!
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Why TED?
I LOVE TED! I play them in my car when driving to work. For me, it is a little slice of wisdom and insight that someone has done the hard work to gather and share with me in a 10 to 20 minute talk. I like to reflect on what I learned about the topic and myself in my journal for 5 minutes when I arrive at the office. It sets my day up to be more mindful and aware of how I am choosing to live that day.
First, the ability to be free. Free from all of the “shoulds and musts.” As a therapist, I always tell my clients, “should is a bad word.” To me, it is the conglomerate of the musts that society tells us we need to be, I say, you define that. Define it in a manner that makes you free. But kind, of course. Sarah Knight’s, The Magic of Not Giving a F*** is hilarious, but so on point. She encourages you to shed some of the “shoulds and musts” that we convince ourselves we need to do. This creates freedom to do more of what fills us up.
I admire her bravery and humor. Check it out!
The Magic of Not Giving a F***, By: Sarah Knight
I truly believe that creativity is center to living our best life. It is not always that we create art, or write, or invent but that we have the creative expression in our lives in some manner that feeds our soul. The makes our mark on the world. These can be small or large. Through our work or our free time. Expressions such as having a glorious flower garden, baking the most amazing cookies, artful design in our home decor. I agree with Elizabeth Gilbert though. Fear kills our creativity. Somehow the world strips many of us the confidence to be authentic with our creativity.
Her talk is inspiring and if you love it, you will most definitely love her book, Big Magic! Listen to her here:
Your Elusive Creative Genius, By: Elizabeth Gilbert
I know that the most frequent excuse I allow myself is the lack of time. Time imprisoned me from taking the steps to live a more authentic life. I love, love Laura Vanderkam’s take on time management. She is humorous but the impression she leaves is quite serious. We create time for those activities we value. Time is the most precious commodity we have, yet it is the one we most easily squander.
After watching this TED Talk, I am more mindful of what I prioritize to spend time on. Her analogy of cleaning her blinds put this into such perfect perspective and I often find myself asking the value of the activity I am choosing to spend time on.
Watch her talk here, you will be glad you spent a few moments of your precious time on it!
How to Gain Control of Your Free Time, By Laura Vanderkam
Petter Sage’s TED Talk is one of the most powerful I have listened to. His account of the life reflections of a woman who lost her significant other in the 9/11 attacks brings tears to my eyes. I am transported back to the time of our nation’s most tragic events and I recall my own thoughts to stop being afraid. To stop fearing making the wrong choice, or being hurt, or to live my life as I truly wish to. It is a perspective I never want to lose. This is a must see in your journey of living your most authentic life. I implore you to watch it:
Stop Waiting for Life to Happen, By: Petter Sage
The decision to live more authentically, with more courage is the first step. Find habits that promote your resolve. Surround yourself with positive and uplifting messages that help to shape your thoughts to manifest your best life. Thank you for spending some of your time with me.
Wander well…