TED Reflection #1: Which of these 8 “secrets to success” do you most possess? Provide an example to prove it.
The all-powerful trait of persistence. Throughout my life, I have battled my way through obstacles ranging from Leukemia all the way through that first day. I have messed up--A LOT-- but damn have I learned just as much as I failed. A particular example is creating my school’s debate club. I was told that something like that would have no interest, it was boring, and that little is to be learned besides how loud one can scream. Even during the meetings, obstacles were prominent. Especially at the beginning, these little things got to me; however, looking back, I am grateful for it. The doubts pushed me to perform better, to lead by example and reexamine what I can do better as a leader.
Furthermore, a trait that I could work on is Focus. My life is like a big juggling act; balancing hours, minutes, and even seconds, between the various realms of my life as a student, lifeguard, christian, leader, activist, musician, and brother.
TED Reflection #2: Think about a time that you used “grit” to succeed. What made you so driven to keep pushing through? Explain.
My whole life has required grit, from a five-year old cancer patient to a determined high school student. What keeps me driven is on persevering is my goal on becoming an Oncologist to help others diagnosed with cancer. In the way of my dream are standardized tests, essays, practicals, busywork, scholarship competitions, and numerous classes. Yes, it is alot, but that will not stop me. Today, I am displaying grit by hammering through my 300-word essays to UMKC's Six-Year Med Program's personal statement and short-answer responses, even when I could be spending time with those I love. I realize what it takes to become a doctor, and that is to be gritty in every moment in my life.
TED Reflection #3: What does silence mean to you? Explain. (#1)
Silence to me are thoughts burning in my trachea as a yearn to spew them out, but my lips are clipped the stitches of other’s expectations of who I am or how I should be. I feel silence creep over me most of the school day. I absently-permit minute innuendos of insult to be spat upon me like a waterfall of spit, yet I do not correct them; I merely laugh the insult away as a joke. It is not to be tolerated, though. Over time, these little “jokes” build up in my conscience to the point where I snap at the end of the day, angered at my ineptitude to correct the verbal abusers. Silence is a punch in one’s face when somebody barks: “can’t you take a joke?” “Islamophobia is a mere fabrication of political correctness.” “You do not have a mental issue you are fine.” These quotes are uttered, screamed, written, beseeched; silence is a silent killer, it slashes the throat of another either unintentionally or intentionally.
If I stood up to the trojan horse of insults intertwined into the casual colloquialisms of teenagers at HHS, I would feel more empowered and more soothed mentally. If I did not politely quiet myself upon being requested to while discussing a passion of mine, politics, I would feel in control of my thoughts and opinions. My politeness is often the barrier to my words. If I was a bit more rougher around the edges and loosened up personally, I would be able to finally come to terms with the looming dark cloud over my consciousness.
This TED talk was impactful as it affirmed my distaste for silence. I am an uncompromisable activist who will speak up and not stand down until injustice is vanquished, I follow the mantra "Give me liberty or give me death."
TED Reflection #4: Which of Sam’s ingredients for a happy life resonate most with you?
Sam's die hard mantra of "looking forward" and focusing on things he loves captivated my interest. It is something that I have been struggling with for a while, but am nonetheless working to amend. I often struggle with letting my attitude get the best of me, resulting in triweekly breakdowns at night. I just do not understand how someone can not pay attention to the matter that is bothering them, and not let it consume them? Did not Socrates say that an unexamined life is not worth living? I am confused. Perhaps it is just trying to find that right medium, but how do I do that? Ted Talks are wonderful when it comes to catalyzing change on perspectives, but how do I change?
Ted Reflection #5: "Before I Die I Want to..."
Before I die I want to achieve a lot of things. I know, that sounds extremely vague, and it is! Yet, dear reader, I have an innumerable amount of ambitions I long to pursue, yet arguably cannot be done in five lifetimes; however, before I die, I wish to pursue ALL of these ambitions to the best of my ability before I check out in this lifetime. My list of ambitions are like an amoeba. It is ever-growing ever-changing. Tentatively, here is an abridged list:
1. Pursue medicine, more specifically Pediatric Oncology (either DO or PA-- probably PA as I would not be married to my job and I can enjoy a more balanced life that way.)
2. Research tumor cells, dabble in stem cell research; juxtapose with lobbying for stem cell research via joining a lobbying group.
3. Join local government, and fight for environmental awareness and consciousness when zoning, rezoning, property.
4. To not give up singing, and continue to train in the art of opera.
5. Travel more of Asia-- Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, China, and beyond.
6. Travel more of Europe-- too lazy to list all of the countries I want to traverse through.
7. Travel through Africa-- South Africa, Ethiopia, Mali, Rwanda.
8. Pursue my professional career in medicine either taking up citizenship abroad or as a resident of Hawaii.
9. Find and spend time with a girl that I truly love, one who I can confide and put my trust in, and one who can rely on me to do the same.
My list tells me that how I will spend my life is not idly and living day-to-day, stuck in a state of being that reeks of mediocrity, but being productive... and having FUN while doing it! People too often settle and it plagues them for the rest of their life, I WILL NOT ACCEPT mediocrity! As Tennyson said, "I WILL NOT YIELD.'
TED Reflection #6: "Resume or Eulogy?" (#2)
I strongly believe there is a middle road between living for your eulogy and resume. In accordance to Cal Newport, I have credence in his philosophy of finding passion in your job, as long as you have some sort of interest in it. For example, I want to be a Pediatric Oncologist. The achievements in my career, in my view, are commendable to mentioned in my eulogy AND my resume! I see my career path as rather humbling. Perspective is everything; if you can find at least one good, build off of it! The old proverb: "Everything in moderation," could never be more sage than Confucius himself.
I really liked this TED talk, as it is a good conversation to have with oneself and friends. I gained a lot of information from myself after having this conversation with myself. I learned that I cam find a happy medium between the two poles: I will live for my eulogy via my resume.