As much as being grateful should not be exclusively celebrated one day per year, we do have a day dedicated to giving thanks coming up pretty soon. And so, to help you prepare for an entire day of looking on the bright side, here are 5 TED talks to get you in a grateful mood.
1. Remember to Say Thank You
In this brief but very meaningful talk, counselor Laura Trice concisely touches on the incredible value of saying thank you — from expressing it to your loved ones and coworkers, to asking for the thanks you yourself deserve.
2. Reconnecting With Compassion
“Our cultural imagination about compassion has been deadened by idealistic images,” says Journalist Krista Tippett, who in this talk, leads the charge for a renewed definition of ‘compassion’. She argues that words matter, and that because they shape the way we perceive ourselves, it’s vital that we redefine our own understanding of what compassion means for humanity.
3. The Why and How of Effective Altruism
What is effective altruism? In this talk, practical ethicist Peter Singer defines it as giving that combines both the heart and the head. Much of his discussion surrounds the philosophy behind taking what we have, comparing it to what we want versus what we need, and mathematically determining how to best use our time and financial position to impact the world for the better. Viewers beware, this video does include a brief segment of graphic footage at the beginning.
4. Poverty, Money, and Love
For many people in the modern world, the disconnect between daily life and global poverty is represented by “a few coins in a jar.” In her talk, entrepreneur Jessica Jackley discusses our need for a change in attitude towards the impoverished, her work with microloans, and how all of us can help empower those in need.
5. A Story About Knots and Surgeons
In this extremely powerful and inspiring talk, Ed Gavagan tells the heartbreaking story of his brush with death, and the resulting and overwhelming gratitude he has for surgical skill.
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