TED Conversations

Neil Pasricha

TEDCRED 50+
TED Speaker

Neil Pasricha: What do you do to make your life awesome? Extended until 2016*

Join me here May 3, noon-1pm Eastern time, to talk live about what we do to make our lives awesome. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

ADMIN EDIT: Neil has asked us to keep the thread open until the year 2016 to extend the awesomeness! He (and potentially his publicist), will be checking in occasionally to answer more awesome questions throughout the week and possibly in later years.

Related Talks:
Topics: Live Conversation happiness
+28
Share:

This comment will be attributed to . Not ? Sign Out.

Characters remaining: 2000

progress indicator

  • Shaun Myers

    Feb 5 2013: I learn everything I can. Not just school, which I am in often, but life. I am a firefighter and paramedic, but I am also a soapmaker. I catch alligators and I make gyotaku prints. I laugh with my children and I defend the helpless. I plant a garden and I hunt game. I listen to Metallica and I lose myself in Vivaldi. I learn, not just skills or formulas, I learn emotion. I live through my senses. I seek inspiration. I welcome awe. I try to be human and am eternally grateful for the opportunity.

  • Jessica Duque

    Jan 1 2013: My life has become more awesome since I discovered TED. There's so much negativity in the world that can consume us and leave one feeling hopeless, which is why I stopped watching news programs, but these conferences are evidence that there are real people from all backgrounds and socio-economic classes that are making a difference whether they started out with a lot or little. So on my journey, I try to recognize and journal the awesomeness I see in others & the world that surrounds me. I also teach ESL to adults in a foreign country and I use TED talks as a regular tool in the students learning process. It's a great way to spread awesome ideas, encourage innovative and positive thinking and of course learn English.
  • thumb

    Marija Toedtling

    Dec 21 2012: I stopped reading newspapers in the morning and started watching TED talks instead. It's a small change to make life more awesome :)

  • Cathmia Jhimmar

    Nov 1 2012: I wake up grateful that I have another day to experience. I try to see everything as an adventure, even the small things in my life. I've learned to have challenges, not problems. I ride my bike along the ocean path every chance I get and have realized that it is a different ride every time I do it because it seems like I see new and different things each time, I have learned to always carry my camera because of this so later I can look back at all the amazing things I have seen. I volunteer at a local thrift store where what we do helps the youth of our community and where I get to meet some awesome local folks I might not have met if I didn't do this. I try to watch the sunset while walking on the beach every chance I get, because it is a great way to say goodnight to the Universe and like snowflakes no two sunsets are alike. I fill everyday with music because music set my mood and fill my soul. I smile & laugh as much as I can in hopes that my smile & laughter becomes contagious and everyone catches it. I dress in colors, bright wonderful colors even if it's only hanging from my ears or hidden under a warm jacket, I know the colors are there. The most important thing I ever did though was after my last marriage ended, I decided to fall in love again and chose as my lover, life. I fell in love with life, it was the best choice I have ever made, and has to this point been an awesome love affair. I highly recommend it to everyone.
  • thumb

    Karen Dai

    Oct 17 2012: I live for three things and if i could spend most of my life focusing on these three things that would be a awesome life i think. I live for 'LOVE, FREEDOM and KNOWLEDGE'. When I'm facing any choices just ask myself ' is it good for love, freedom or chasing knowledge?' Then it's easy to make choice or insist on it. What makes me feel love, freedom or getting knowledge? Traveling and live in a fresh life, thinking and sharing with ppl, reading etc. Ofc TED TALK. That's why I'm here =]

  • Aifel Ladder

    Oct 12 2012: Get inspired by people who truly experienced awesomeness.

  • Oly Klop

    Oct 12 2012: For some time now I have been trying to encourage everyone's, what I call, 'investing in your awesome'. When I came across your TED Talk I was so happy to see someone else out there conveying essentially the same message. Mine comes inspired from the work of Spinoza, but essentially awesome is this for me and what I try to spread:

    Awesome is a word that we casually throw around, however it is intended with the use of to be in AWE of. So, what is the most AWE-inspiring thing i can think of in all this wonderful world of amazing awe-inspiring things?
    You, me, and our consciousness, or conscious experience.
    The fact that we can reflect on all things awful and awesome.
    To realize that we all have this really special gift and each one of us holds that gift uniquely.
    In light of this we need to realize that we all have something to give and that will be unique to each person. We should try to promote each others awesome and our own. To promote awesome is to promote happiness, as is investing in it.
    The sum of this rant comes down to recognizing and promoting happiness, knowledge, tolerance and flourishing.
    I could go on and on but there is not enough time.
    Here's a link to a letter concerning awesome: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150147867514488 http://www.hghline.com
    I just want to be awesome and I want it for others as well!
  • thumb

    Levi LCL 10+

    Sep 8 2012: Good talk. To make life awesome you live it to benefit all humankind, so that when you die you leave a tangible legacy within human society. This is done by helping people, ALOT of people, it can take you on journeys far and wide, to every imaginable destination, language, culture and people.

    Striving for human unity towards global governance, and the solution of global issues. That's how to be truly awesome!

  • Shan Shan

    Sep 8 2012: Impressive talk but not sure whether Neil had gone through enough trauma, sadness and depression I had gone through. Its easier to preach than to feel.
  • thumb

    Henk Mulder 10+

    Jul 25 2012: When in the middle of the stress of that fine mess I got myself into again, I stop and look around me. To notice that the sky is just as blue as before, that I am breathing, that I have family and friends. Then, I laugh out loud, forget what I was doing and stride into a new world that looks strangely familiar.
  • thumb

    Frank Clayton

    Jul 8 2012: I make my life more awesome by sculpting it that way. My job is my calling and I know I make a big difference every day in helping to heal pain and bring hope and happiness where there was little or none before. I am also giving to the community by teaching a free class on the basics of positive psychology. In my "spare time", I connect with friends often and spend quality time with my wife. I play a lot and treat myself very well. I have also found ways to take much of the sting out of the things I don't like to do (by adding music, audio books or rewards). Recently I found a way to do "paperwork" via audio, so I am free to walk (exercise) in the sunshine (providing vitamin D) and even do my part to keep the environment clean as I do so. Near my office is a relatively small patch of grass but I love to walk barefoot there while I am "working". Giving myself things to look forward to is a mandatory part of my Happiness diet. My life is truly awesome and I freely share that with others through Facebook and other forms of social media. I continue to be mindful of parts of my life that detract from my Happiness and either eliminate it or make a shift somehow to make it more pleasurable. Thank you, Neil for the opportunity to share.
  • thumb

    Derek Young 30+

    Jun 29 2012: OH! How Cool! I never saw this thread before!

    I make life awesome by using my imagination! =)
  • thumb

    Bharath Kumar Kunjibettu 10+

    Jun 12 2012: Hi Neil,
    The key to making life awesome is to always look for positive stuff in whatever one does , be it work , home,handling tense situations in relationships . To make my life even more awesome, I am engaging in wonderful TED conversations, watching TED talks , interacting online and offline with amazing people on TED . I must say TED seemed to change my perception about the world.

    TED is one such platform with awesome ideas . I definitely want to contribute as much as possible for the world community through TED. To be very honest , life is already awesome, of course, there are concerns(social, economic,environmental,political) but looking at the positive side, the amazing technology breakthroughs , innovation in various industries , entertainment doesn't get better than this . Sometimes though life is awesome , we just seem to forget those tiny yet awesome things we miss. We have only 1 life and it is up to us to make it awesome!!

    Thank you
    Regards,
    Bharath

  • Wendy Holmquist

    May 26 2012: What makes my life awesome - a smile, birds in a tree, a flower, freshair, my grandbabies, daughter, sisters and parents, having use of my 5 senses to be able witness fully everything about everyday, being with friends, and being alone, being who I am!
  • thumb

    Colleen Steen 500+

    Mar 1 2012: Hi again Neil:>)
    I don't have to "make" my life awesome. I simply notice the awesomeness all around me. There is SO much to be grateful for that we sometimes fail to recognize and acknowledge....simple things that are sometimes taken for granted.

    Washing dishes means I have food to eat...doing laundry means I have cloths to put on my back...cleaning the house means I HAVE a house...getting out of bed in the morning means I CAN get out of bed...connecting here on TED means I have a computer, which provides the opportunity to connect with the world...I'm sitting here drinking a warm, delicious cup of coffee, with my home warmed with wood, friends have provided for me....these are all gifts that many people in our world do not have...we can go on.....and on.....and on......if we want to......it's a choice to observe the awesomeness in our lives......or not:>)

    • paul Ashton

      Jul 25 2012: Please be my mom!
    • thumb

      Robert Winner 50+

      Jul 25 2012: Colleen, Great answer. I have great concerns for people who try to "MAKE" their lives awsome. The core of that is "ME". The final result of that is, look at me I am awsome.

      Sounds like Neil is asking TED to write a book in his name so he can become awsome. Now there is an idea worth spreading. LOL
      • thumb

        Colleen Steen 500+

        Jul 25 2012: Hi Robert,
        Good point from you......as usual!

        Recognizing an awsome life, can indeed lead to the concept of "I am awesome".....or not:>) In my perception, it depends on how we use the information.

        For me, a very big part of recognizing "awesome" in my life, is to be grateful for all that I have. We see lots of conversations right here on TED, where folks are searching for happiness, contentment, passion, life path, etc. etc.

        Sometimes (all the time in my humble perception), all it takes is recognizing what we DO have in our lives, and that serves as a catalyst for the next step.

        One thing that is awesome today, is that I started out the day with a lovely message from Paul Ashton (above), which totally touched my heart:>) Then I went for a lovely bike ride with my buddies...by the lake....AWESOME day:>) Now I get to connect with you my friend Bob.....more awesome!!!

  • Heidi LeVell

    Feb 15 2012: I quiet myself and think of how blessed I am. I play the gratitude game every afternoon with my young daughters and we each pick out 3 beautiful things we've noticed before breakfast each day. My 8 year old is noticing her baby sisters laugh, the effort Mommmy put into packing her lunch, and that her sister shared wtih her. All expressions of beauty, but ones we often miss.

  • Zared Schwartz

    Feb 15 2012: The past is awesome, the present is slightly more awesome, and the future is the most awesome. Agree or disagree?

  • halil erdem

    Feb 15 2012: hi

  • David Grammer

    Jan 24 2012: Breathe. Listen. Trust.

  • dru banaszak

    Jan 12 2012: I live in the present moment,right now,this instant.I allow myself to feel love when it is offered. Not to hang on to the past nor the future.Life is what you make it. I feel it's very important to keep your mind, heart, and eyes open. Give freely, Give all the time, and most of all give from your heart. Always love,love and love some more!!

  • Eve Mantu

    Jan 1 2012: Well, I look up stuff like this. I try to meet inspiring people to light the way. I try to truly LOOK and truly SEE and truly HEAR. I try to do less things, but with greater presence and commitment. Less stuff, more intensity.
  • thumb

    Umesh Nawathe

    Dec 28 2011: Whatever happens whether it is good or bad, it happens for the reason. In our regional language we say " jo hota hai acche ke liye hota hai" (whatever happens, it happens only for good). This helps me a lot to keep me look forward rather than stay back and think upon why it happened? Is it bad or good? I started to feel my life is awesome when I truly understood the meaning of this.

  • manuel ruiz-echarri

    Dec 28 2011: Fighting against my self, my defects, trying improve everyday, enjoying ordinary things, fluent communicaion with friends, enjoy working, enjoy projects, living the present with perspectives, and so and so...

  • Zared Schwartz

    Dec 22 2011: We must perceive awesomeness to make it awesome. We should be positive thinkers and make everyday a fantasy, but...this is impossible. Perhaps, we should be realistic thinkers and just accept the basic compositions of daily hassles. No, that too is impossible. We should just be passionate, realistic, and curious thinkers that understand the basic compositions of daily hassles in order to achieve a perceived control, cope with stress, decrease the chances of becoming depress, and make ever single day of our lives have meaning. Then again, does meaning of events make them have the potential to be awesome or will be because that we give them those meanings that make them awesome?

    Honestly, I am not a expert in awesomeness, Neil Pasricha, what do you think?
  • thumb

    Michael Roberts 10+

    Jul 13 2011: Pulling back the flap on a tent after what sounded like a night-long rainstorm, only to find a brilliant, sunny morning.

  • Brad Wellings

    Jul 9 2011: "Awesome" is the train journey to and from work.
    - looking out of the window and reminiscing on having made such a large yet invaluable step as emigrating to Australia
    - taking the time to consolidate my thoughts before and after the days inevitable chaos; and
    - smiling at some of the more "eccentric" individuals who bless my journey with their presence
    • thumb

      Neil Pasricha 50+

      TED Speaker
      Nov 8 2011: Hey Brad,
      I love "eccentric individuals", too! They really are the spice of life, aren't they? Congrats on the big move to Australia. How many people have asked if you've been to Aires Rock so far?
  • thumb

    Audrey Misiano

    Jul 9 2011: Love!!! "All you need is love!"
Load more comments…

This comment will be attributed to . Not ? Sign Out.

Characters remaining: 2000