What Could you Learn Today in 900 Seconds?
“The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” - Brian Herbert
Almost every night, as I get ready for bed, I go into the “watch later” tab on my YouTube app, and choose a TED Talk to listen to before falling asleep. These fifteen minutes are what I consider my “self care” and they are my favorite part of the day. As I sit silently in my dark room, I listen to doctors, research analysts, philosophers, CEOs, and so many other inspiring individuals. In a mere 900 seconds my brain is filled with clear, concise and sometimes startling research. TED Talks offer new perspectives and alternative lenses through which to view the world. This simple nightly activity, has led me to personal growth and action. Recently, after listening to a TEDx talk about being in the uncomfortable, I built up the courage to go to a Boston restaurant, without my phone or any other distractions, and have dinner by myself. I mean, it is one thing to order Uber eats and put on Netflix and eat alone. It is a whole other thing to go to a nice restaurant and sit at a table alone just simply enjoying the moment and the delicious food by yourself. It is something I now get excited to do, and more often than not I meet people I otherwise wouldn’t but it was so very nerve-racking the first time. Another TED talk helped me to improve my conversation skills and encouraged me to change how I approach discussions. Now sometimes I do fall asleep before reaching the end - not every TED talk is life changing, and with extracurriculars and homework sometimes I am simply just too exhausted. But generally TED talks are my opportunity to continue my education outside the classroom. They satisfy my curiosity, ignite my desire to learn more and help me become a better version of myself.
That being said, I want to share some of my favorite TED talks from which I personally have connected to and love immensely. I hope they touch you the same way they have me, and hopefully they also inspire you to grow!
My Ted Talk favorites list:
We all have different interests and these could be your favorite TED Talks like me or yours could be completely different. I found most of these by searching specific words and the words “TED Talk”. Maybe you’re interested in food, astronomy, conversation skills, math, art work, and regardless of what it is, there is usually a TED Talk that speaks about it! I encourage you to try watching a few, you never know what you could learn or how impactful just 900 seconds could be!
Love Always,
Casey
