So I am obsessed with "Ted talks" and have included two of my favorites. Content is very different but the common theme is about not allowing shame to silence. One challenges the dogma that influences what society thinks a woman's body and appearance should be and look like, while the other challenges the stigma of mental illness and reluctance in asking for and seeking support. Both topics I am passionate about.
Recently I had a minor foot surgery (on both feet...not a great idea) and had an unexpected visceral reaction to the scars left behind. I can only describe it as a sense of sympathy and remorseful sadness for the thought of what my body had just endured (mind you, the scar was small...). So although my reaction was bigger than the circumstance, it caused me to think about the pain and suffering we put our bodies through for the sake of trying to meet and adhere to societal expectations; to assimilate, if you will. Instead of reverence, we have developed a deep unappreciation for the human body and the natural beauty it envelopes. I was gently reminded of the bodies’ amazing capacity to heal itself, under the right conditions, under the right circumstances. Although this video talks about the body from a size perspective, I think the principle is the same. Find an appreciation for your body and know that human nature has a way of adjusting and correcting flaws in its very own natural way. If the body can heal itself, can we also heal our thinking and boldly challenge stereotypes?
Courageous beauty: Brittany Gibbons at TEDxBGSU ...
The second talk is about a young, talented comedian's once very private battle with depression. He discusses the consequences of keeping this secret and challenges the stigma around sharing such information, in an effort to challenge others in doing the same.
Confessions of a Depressed Comic --click below
