Have you heard of TED Talks? Honestly I have known "about" them for several years and never took the time to actually investigate them or listen to any up until recently? After listening to 2 TED talks back to back and LOVING it, I then had 2 questions...1) What does TED stand for in TED Talks AND 2) Why in the WORLD did I wait so long to utilize this platform that provides resources and information that get my mind out of the social media vortex and into learning and thinking that can make a difference in my life?
This should be no shock to anyone but when I have a question, I typically want a answer immediately! Here is what I found out...
TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages.
1984?? Seriously, this has been around since before I graduated from High School and obviously it took on a whole new identity when technology advanced and it became an Internet staple for people everywhere! Did you catch the part about it being in more than 100 languages? For the love...I am late to the party for sure and yet after this morning I am hooked and I couldn't wait to share!
Eduardo Briceno TED Talk
Honestly there is so much to learn and what a great lesson when I was reminded that having a growth mindset is where I want to be...I want to be in a place where improvement comes and is a part of the process, it is a part of the failures...in fact the failures are necessary as long as I see where I can improve and not look to "blame" others or extenuating circumstances. So why did I wait? My honest answer is that I didn't know the value and I let "busyness" take over and be the excuse for not looking into it.
Good news is...now I know and now I have a goal to listen to one TED Talk a day and so far I have listened to talks on Love, Statistics, Politics and each one have been fantastic! I am hooked and heck, maybe someday I will be asked to talk for TED...wouldn't that be AMAZING??!!
I will be honest, I love the movie "The Sound of Music" and have memories watching it most of my life but I have never enjoyed the song "Climb Every Mountain" that is sung by the Mother Abbess (Mother Superior) to Maria at the Abbey. I never appreciated it for what it was I suppose...until recently.
Maria had run back to the Abbey away from Captain Von Trapp because her heart was screaming at her to listen. She was more comfortable seeking refuge behind the walls of the Abbey...there she would not have to face what she was running from, she would not have to face the world that would surely bring pain & turmoil and yet also, so much joy! But the Abbey was were God placed a person that was always trying to discern God's voice. Mother Superior was comfortable in taking the time to sit and just listen and when she did, she found His direction for herself and others. Hence the song from a woman that seemingly had very little "experience" with the world but because she took time to be quiet and sit with God and listen she had wisdom that surpassed most people's understanding.
Climb every mountain
Search high and low
Follow every byway
Every path you know
Climb every mountain
Ford every stream
Follow every rainbow
Till you find your dream
A dream that will need
All the love you can give
Every day of your life
For as long as you live
Climb every mountain
Ford every stream
Follow every rainbow
Till you find your dream
A dream that will need
All the love you can give
Every day of your life
For as long as you live
Climb every mountain
Ford every stream
Follow every rainbow
Till you find your dream
I am in a stage where I believe that God is telling me that I am going to have a period of time where I will be learning to listen myself. I see people that are placed in my life that are better at it then I am and I look to them for guidance, for their example. I haven't exactly found where my "Abbey" is but finding that place of refuge where quiet contemplative thoughts are able to take place is a HUGE desire of mine. So much so, that I am trying to figure out a way to have one day each month that I can just sit and listen to God's heart. No phone (Yikes!), no iPad, no computer....just me, my Bible, my journal and God. That means taking a day off work, away from home and going somewhere like the beach, right?
I am not running into hiding like Maria did but as I come upon life's next "mountain" (and there is always one coming), I am trying to listen to God's call for me and the words in the song are very much where I believe my heart needs to be, where I need to be focused. I am a dreamer and where He leads me, my heart will follow there also. Knowing that each climb I will be sustained by His grace.
The biggest challenge in all this is two-fold...1) following thru on finding a day each month to do this and 2) not filling that day with errands and life's to-do list once I get it! So, you my friends can hold me accountable and ask me if I am working towards finding my time. I won't mind if you ask...I will most likely thank you later! XO
