Blog

Like many things in my life, I never aspired to do a TEDx talk. Don’t get me wrong, I am an avid consumer of TED talks. I have always admired those who give these talks, but it never occurred to me that I could have an idea worth sharing, as TED’s motto is. It simply never crossed my mind…until someone mentioned it.

I received Stephen’s email on a Thursday and read it quickly before I moved on to more pressing work matters. On Tuesday, I recalled that I had not replied to his email, so I politely thanked him for thinking of me and expressed my interest for next year. I didn’t have brain space to think about it then. My dear friend, for whom I had become a primary caretaker, had just passed. I had been sick all year and was scheduled to have surgery at the end of the year. A memorized talk was the last thing on my mind. I needed to push this as far as I could while enduring the pain and discomfort that dominated my being at the time, and gracefully acknowledge the fact that someone saw my potential to deliver an impactful TEDx talk. I was honored.

By the next Saturday, I was feeling better and decided to put in my application. It was easy enough. What I did not realize was that there would be multiple steps to this application and they came in quick successions. I became annoyed at myself for, once again, not being able to say a firm no. I had no one else to blame but myself. I already committed, so I finished the process. Shortly after my surgery, I learned that I had been accepted.

During the application interview, the main organizer told me that my initial idea of risk-taking was not original. Babson is a place full of risk-takers and no one comes to Babson to learn how to take risks. She was way nicer, but that was the gist. I had to pivot.

I went to the place where I always go when things are great, when I am struggling, when I am confused, and when I just am. Both literally and figuratively. And, that is what I chose to talk about. The people who shaped me the most, the people who know me best. Michele and Tony. I drafted a talk about unlocking human potential and the role of community and shared it with them first.

Then, I told folks in my life that I was doing a TEDx talk. So many people offered to let me practice with them. The Babson College folks were great. Their coaches were exceptional. My community also showed up for me in ways I never imagined. My village was bigger than I imagined. I only took a fraction of the help I was offered. I still had to work and juggle all the other things in my life. I was moved by people’s generosity, love, and kindness.

On the day of my talk, so many people came and others watched online. My academic journey has shaped so much of my life and it was gratifying that a former student and my grad school professor and dissertation chair were there. My husband, children, and lots of loved ones were there.

Weaving mental health, suicidal ideation, immigration, parenting, love, and overcoming into a talk about unlocking human potential and memorizing it as an older student of life was no small feat for me. What I hope is that my talk helps us to see the potential that we each hold to have a positive impact in the life of others. Working together, we increase our individual impact exponentially.

Human potential is limitless, like the ocean.