Core Message - The speech explores how past trauma shapes the future, using historical events and personal anecdotes to illustrate the importance of forgiveness and compassion [2][3][4] - It argues that holding onto past trauma can weigh individuals down, while learning from it and choosing forgiveness can lead to progress [1][2][15] - The central analogy is a cup of water, representing history: nourishing when sipped from, but exhausting when clung to for too long [1][15][16] Historical Context & Examples - The speaker references the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong and the Nanjing Massacre to highlight the impact of historical trauma [3][4][12][13] - The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are presented as examples of immense suffering, but also of resilience and forgiveness [4][5][6][7][14] - The speech contrasts the potential for resentment with the capacity for compassion, citing the people of Nagasaki's dedication to peace as an example [6][7] Human Nature & Compassion - The speech challenges the notion that people are fundamentally selfish, drawing on Rutger Bregman's "Humankind" to argue for inherent human compassion [8][9] - Examples from the London bombings during World War II illustrate selfless acts of helping strangers, even in the face of danger [9][10][11] - The speaker's grandmother's forgiveness towards Japan, despite her family's suffering during the war, exemplifies the ability to move beyond historical trauma [12][13][14] Conclusion & Call to Action - The speech concludes by emphasizing the choice individuals have in how they relate to the past: as an anchor or a river [17][18] - It encourages open-mindedness and reflection on trauma, suggesting that forgiveness and compassion offer hope for moving forward [17][18] - The speaker advocates for understanding and reflecting on trauma in contemporary conflicts, such as Ukraine and Gaza [17]

Core Argument - Dance transcends physical exercise and artistic expression, offering an embodied way of knowing oneself and others [5][6] - Movement reveals profound influences of experience, bodily memories, culture, and communities [3][4] - Dancing together fosters interpersonal connection, understanding, and compassion, leading to a more caring world [6][21] Examples of Embodied Dialogue - Shared dance experience with the speaker's father, using a red ribbon, deepened their connection and activated memories [7][8][9][10] - Dancing with the speaker's son allowed experiencing the world from his perspective, fostering intergenerational dialogue [11][12] - The dance film "The Weight of Sugar" activated a grandmother's memory of racial discrimination, leading to a powerful emotional moment of shared trauma and resilience among the dancers [13][14][15][16] Intercultural Dialogue through Movement - Ako Otaki's performance, displaying empathy for comfort women, and Wii's gesture of covering her with a robe, demonstrated intercultural dialogue and healing beyond national borders [17][18][19] - Simple gestures and stillness, performed with sincerity, can open doorways for engaging with painful histories and fostering peace [20] Key Takeaways - Embodied dialogue through dance requires presence, suspending judgment, and active listening on a bodily level [20] - Dancing together allows sharing history and experience while being open to receiving and experiencing another person [20] - Dance shifts awareness from the mind to the body, from thinking and analyzing to being and experiencing [21]

[Music] Can you make the world a better place. Should you. That's a question for you to debate.Can you. That's a question that may sometime fill you with self-doubt. What can I one person out of the 8.2% billion do.I'm not rich. I'm too young. I'm too old. I'm not a social activist.I do not have enough resources, expertise. When God doesn't grant you miracles, remember that you are the miracle he sent for someone else. A powerful statement by Nick Witch, the man behind life without limbs, born without legs ...

Core Message - The speech emphasizes the significant impact of individual actions, symbolized by "one," highlighting its potential for both positive change and harm [1][2][11][12][13] - It advocates for taking responsibility and acting with intention, recognizing that even small acts of kindness can create meaningful change [2][10][12] Project "One Share, One Care" - The initiative started with a meeting of four individuals on August 1, 2021, aiming to connect people in need with those willing to help [2] - The platform operates without funding or a physical office, relying on shared commitment and resources like Google Drive [3] - Over three years, the project evolved into a movement, forming a family of volunteers and collaborators to achieve the goal of helping people in need [4] - Implemented six projects impacting almost 200 lives [7] Project Examples - "Ayuda para Estudiante" provided educational supplies to underprivileged students in Albay [4] - "Gifts for the Gifted" collaborated with Bicol University to bring joy and gifts to 60 children with special needs and disabilities in Tabaco City, Albay [4] - A nationwide donation drive aided 30 families affected by Typhoon Odette in 2021-2022 from Abeilan, Bohol [5] - Partnered with SMCity Daet to conduct a Christmas celebration for children in conflict with the law [5] Expansion to Animal Welfare - Recognizing that kindness knows no boundaries, the project expanded its mission to include helping animals in need [8] - "Pag-ibig" project partnered with Project 100 Manila and Kislap ng Reyna, where a portion of necklace sales goes to feeding stray animals in Manila [8] - Showcased cases of animals in need, such as a dog with an infected wound that was treated and healed through the care of individuals [9] Challenges and Perseverance - The project faced challenges such as inconsistent donations, volunteer fatigue, and criticism [9] - The team persevered by focusing on changing one person's world at a time [10]

[Music] Good morning. 25 years ago when I landed in Nigeria, I handed my passport to the immigration lady. She looks up at me and she says, "What is your mission?" I was baffled.What kind of question is that. Then I understood she was simply asking me what was the purpose of my visit. But that question came back upon me many a times.What is my mission after having lived in three different continents. Why did I end up here in K Nigeria. Well, the answer to that question began to unfold piece by piece like a ...

[Music] I want to take you on a little journey today because Odisa's story is one story of the hero's journey like the countless others that have captivated our hearts for millennia and they have because they talk about the human experience. It is all the same, isn't it. And in our hearts, in all of our hearts, don't we all have that want, that burning desire to be heroes.I mean, I know I want to. So, let's talk about being a hero. My name is Victoria Busus.I'm a writer, director, and creative technologist. ...

Personal Development & Success Measurement - Traditional benchmarks like KPIs, productivity trackers, social media metrics, and achievements are often used as measures of personal success, but they can be misleading [8] - The speaker proposes shifting the focus from "doing" and "achieving" to "becoming," emphasizing internal growth in areas like capacity, compassion, courage, integrity, grit, and kindness [9][11][12] - The "becoming scorecard" involves reflecting on daily growth in areas like self-awareness, courage, compassion, and learning [17][18][19][20][21] Overcoming Fear of Failure - Fear of failure can hinder individuals from pursuing ventures with the potential for failure, limiting opportunities [4] - The speaker's personal experience of avoiding challenging subjects in university qualification exams due to fear of failure led to difficulties later on [5][6][7] - Choosing courses relevant to personal growth, even if challenging, is aligned with the desired personal development [19] Fulfillment & Long-Term Impact - External validations and benchmarks provide fleeting happiness, while internal character development leads to lasting fulfillment [14][26] - Focusing on "becoming" ensures that even if goals are not met, the personal growth achieved along the way provides satisfaction [25][26] - The speaker's mentor advised reflecting daily on what was learned and how one grew, creating an internal compass for measuring what matters [15][16]

Core Message - The speech emphasizes that true happiness lies in purpose and contribution to others, rather than solely in personal achievements or material wealth [8][10] - It advocates for a shift in focus from "making a living" to "making a life," highlighting the importance of compassion and empathy in education and daily life [22] - The speaker shares personal anecdotes and observations to illustrate the disconnect between traditional success metrics and genuine fulfillment [1][2][3] Education System Reform - The speech suggests reforming education by asking different questions, such as "What good did you do yesterday?" instead of "Did you do your homework?" and "What kind of problems can you solve today?" instead of "What do you want to become?" [12] - It highlights examples of schools in Japan, Denmark, and New Zealand that incorporate compassion, community service, and problem-solving into their curricula [13][14] - The speaker advocates for education systems to cultivate active change-makers, contributors, and creators rather than passive receivers or mere competitors [12] Practical Application - The speech encourages incorporating acts of giving and compassion into daily routines, suggesting that even small gestures can create happiness and foster a sense of purpose [15][16] - It promotes the idea that giving is not selfless but a "selfish" act because it benefits the giver by providing fulfillment and a sense of purpose [19][20] - The speaker suggests a simple exercise of sending a thank-you message to someone as a starting point for incorporating giving into one's life [20][21]

First Impressions & Stereotypes - First impressions are formed rapidly, potentially in as little as 0.1 seconds, and can lead to assumptions [3] - Stereotypes are harmful assumptions based on a single characteristic, fueled by "isms" like racism, sexism, and classism [6][10] - Stereotypes can negatively impact individuals through stereotype threat, where the fear of confirming a negative stereotype can hinder performance [19] Societal Impact & Change - Stereotypes are prevalent in media, influencing perceptions from a young age [12][14][16] - Combating stereotypes requires empathy, compassion, and recognizing individuals as unique rather than representatives of a group [25] - Younger generations are challenging traditional notions of professionalism and embracing individualism [23][24] The Speaker's Perspective - The speaker's choice of attire (blazer and skirt) is a deliberate statement about professionalism and challenging stereotypes [1][20] - The speaker advocates for speaking out against "isms" and challenging stereotypes [8][9]

[Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] What if I told you that the most effective health care system doesn't start in a hospital, but it starts in the streets. 12 years ago, between finishing my master's degree and beginning my PhD, I took my kids on a cross-country road trip to California. A sorry mommy's going back to school for a little longer adventure.We explored much of Southern California. During our time in LA, we unexpectedly found ourselves in the heart of Skid Row. Despite my own past expe ...