The unanswered prayer: The power in not getting what you want | Nelly Kaakaty | TEDxUTD
TEDx Talks·2025-10-17 15:44

Psychological Resilience & Adaptation - The industry emphasizes the human capacity for hedonic adaptation, suggesting individuals generally return to a baseline level of happiness regardless of positive or negative events [6] - Impact bias, the tendency to overestimate the long-term impact of events on happiness, is common; individuals are more resilient than they anticipate [7] - A growth mindset, believing in the ability to control one's perspective, is crucial for navigating setbacks and fostering resilience [15][16] Strategies for Overcoming Setbacks - Reframing experiences through cognitive adaptation can reduce stress and increase resilience by rewriting personal narratives [18] - Focusing on future opportunities and personal growth after a setback can lead to improved outcomes [19][20] - Viewing waiting periods or withheld desires as preparation for something greater can foster faith and patience [23] Faith & Science Perspectives - Various faith traditions suggest unanswered prayers may lead to delayed blessings or replacements with something better [9][10][11][12][13] - Science views failure as a crucial part of the learning process, with each failed experiment providing valuable information and iteration [14][15]