Empowering Ourselves by Retelling our Stories | Zohra Atmar | TEDxAIS Jeddah Youth

Core Message - The power of revising and retelling personal stories to empower oneself and inspire others, emphasizing that it's never too late to do so [2] - Encouragement to examine and retell difficult stories from a place of gratitude and fulfillment [34] - Recognizing the potential of everyday people, like the speaker's mother, who may appear ordinary but are significant to others [33] Speaker's Mother's Story - The speaker's mother's early life in Afghanistan involved facing restrictions and societal expectations, finding solace and recognition in school [4][5][6] - The mother's journey involved leaving school due to marriage, experiencing war, and eventually immigrating to the United States [7][8][9] - The mother worked at a hot dog stand in the US to support her family, a job the speaker was initially embarrassed by but later recognized as a source of opportunity [11][12][24] - Despite hardships, the mother prioritized her children's education, setting high standards and instilling good character [19][20] Personal Transformation - The speaker's realization that she had been telling herself the wrong story, focusing on lack instead of the blessings and opportunities they had [25] - The speaker's recognition of her mother's resilience, courage, and efforts to provide a better life for her children [26][27][28]