Through a night of networking with intellectual, bright young adults, listening to the eloquent speeches of high schoolers, and raiding the table of snacks, I had something of an epiphany. I like the word "epiphany"-that moment when an idea strikes you intensely and fiercely-but I don't necessarily believe in it. For me, ideas are things that gradually build up over time, but in this case, I'd never felt an idea hit me with such force.
I've always struggled with the idea of altruism. This is partly because I'm a little cynical and I have a hard time believing that people will do things solely for the benefit of someone besides themselves. Also because there's a certain sort of contempt that the word "altruism" displays. I've never been a fan of that holier-than-thou tone. But as I was listening to these teenagers talk about ways that they wanted to change the world, ways they were changing the world, my thoughts on altruism were changed. Maybe in giving people the things we never got, we can not only better their lives, but enhance our existence.
I have a hard time talking about these things because of how vulnerable it makes me feel and the amount of sappiness I experience, but when you see someone just as vulnerable-well, I think that's liberating in a way.
I don't want to get all philosophical here, because that would ensue an awful lot of vulnerability, but listening to those young adults speaking at the Princeton Public Library with such honesty and bareness was inspiring. Not only did it fill me up with that positive zeal that being around so many brilliant people does, but I got to meet so many interesting people! Each voice was so unique and special and I loved every minute of it. I also met a father who was from India who talked about how incredible it was to see the youth eager to change the world. He was always bobbing his head to music and nodded sincerely whenever the speakers talked. Possibly the sweetest person I've ever met.
At the beginning of the event, we were asked to write down a dream of ours. It could be something small or something really grand, but it needed to be a dream we were committed to making happen. I decided my dream would be to change at least one person's life. Now, that sounds like something you'd read in a self-help book or hear in a rom-com, but I really meant it. I think we're constantly impacting each other, even in the smallest ways. I really love that, the idea that if we can all spread a little positivity, we can change the world. Did you know that one smile can cause the same amount of brain stimulation as eating 2,000 bars of chocolate? Not only that, but smiling is something contagious for humans. In theory, one smile could impact someone's life.
In conclusion, TEDxYouth was a fantastic experience, what with the endless amount of donut holes and "light snacks" they were serving. We also got to hear an amazing a capella group sing a Regina Spektor song. REGINA SPEKTOR. A snazzy jazz band played for us too. It was perfect and left me feeling inspired and ready to write and have a coffee.
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| Revolutionary Voices reading |
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| Ronak Trivedi giving his speech |
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