TED Community » Colleen Steen

More About Me

My TED Story

A friend who knows about my near death experience sent me the link to Jill Bolte Taylor's talk because he percieves similarities in our experiences. I continue to enjoy the educational presentations and insightful comments. Thank you TED for providing the opportunity to connect the world with this forum.

Comments

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• +1

  A comment on Conversation: What things/thoughts/beliefs do you accept as your self evident truths?

  11 hours ago: Hi Milo,
  There is some GREAT philosophy which evolves in song, and I agree with you that "when great talent meets great passion...great things emerge". In order for this to happen, it is important to believe in ourselves, and not allow others to define who and what we are. People certainly give us feedback all the time, which is beneficial. We have the ability to sift through information, and as thinking, feeling, intelligent human beings, WE determine who and what we are and how we want to "BE" in this life adventure.
  
  I am sorry you had that experience in your school years, and thrilled that you can "See Clearly Now":>)
  
  I tend to "be" in the moment, so the ONLY self evident truth for me at the moment, is that I am a human, sitting at a computer writing to you HERE and NOW......this moment has never "been" before, and it will never "be" again, so it is the only reality...my only self evident truth:>)

• A comment on Conversation: Does evolution destroy us?

  15 hours ago: Ahmed,
  I believe we have merged with technology, which is a tool we created as evolving humans. Like any other tool, we can use technology to destroy ourselves, or, use it to learn about, and contribute to our self-awareness and consciousness as we continue to evolve:>)
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: How do(did) you raise your kids?

  1 day ago: Hello Edulover:>)
  I feel that my kids raised me, as much as I raised them! I perceive it as a cooperative effort on all our parts, and as with most life experiences, I took on the role of mother as an exploration...what can I offer in the way of teaching them, and what can I learn from them.
  
  I tried to always be open and honest with them, and guide them to the best of my ability, with the information I had at the time. There were times in their teens, when I said...."I've never been a mother before, so help me with this...ok?"
  
  We travel through the life adventure first as mother/children, then, because I introduced them to lots of activities (theater, music, sports, etc.) we often participated in these activities as they grew older. We skied, sailed, played volleyball, tennis, my son and I appeared in several theater productions together, etc. Our roles changed a bit as we grew together, and in their college years, I considered them more like friends than mother/kids.
  
  We had a unique experience after I sustained a near fatal head injury, because the roles changed again.....they were the caring, protecting, care givers (parenting) and I was in a child like state. This often happens when we age, but at that time, they were in their early 20s, and I was only 43.
  
  We eventually adjusted the "roles" again, and now we are back to something of a "normal" relationship whereas the parent is aging, and the "children" are incredibly wonderful (in my humble perception) caring adults with their own children and grandchildren.....and so the life cycle continues with all of us continuing to learn and grow to the best of our ability:>)

• A reply on Conversation: How are you helping your local community?

  2 days ago: Hi again Jaden:>)
  You are right.....we do indeed have laws and morals to guide us. Apparently, for some people, the allure of more and more power or money causes them to forget or ignore basic morals and laws.
  
  I would not say that all people with power always suppress weaker ones. It certainly happens often, and I also believe there are many people in our world who genuinely want to do the right thing, and they do.
  
  Making good use of power and money does not always mean suppressing others. It can also mean using power/strength/money to help elevate others. When the power and money over rides moral and ethical judgment, we have a problem.
  
  I agree with you Jaden.....if more people are willing to stick together working towards helping, encouraging and supporting a healthy global community, it could change our world.
  
  Thank you Jaden. That is the reason I share my stories. Sometimes, when we can see and feel that we are not alone, it helps us have more strength and courage to do what is right for the health of our environment, which sustains all of us:>)
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  A reply on Conversation: Why is there so much vitriol expressed by TED contributors in conversations on contentious subjects?

  2 days ago: Hi Morgan! Nice to see you again:>)
  
  We have participated together in a couple conversations which demonstrated the human behaviors you mention above!
  
  We all have the ability to change, and in my perception, it is a matter of choice. We can be as aware and informed as we choose to be regarding any topic. Some people have more communication skills, some people have more...or less... respect for each other....the possibilities go on and on.........
  
  I agree that one of the main reasons for poor communications is that people often comment with a knee jerk reaction, rather than being clear with what they want to communicate. We need to be clear in ourselves before we can communicate clearly with others. I believe that is why we sometimes see people contradicting themselves, appearing to be foolish, and as you say, if there is a forum to anonymously hide behind, false profile (or several in some cases), sometimes people tend to not think before hitting "submit".
  
  I totally agree......we can all improve.....nice chatting with you again....hope things are good in your part of the world:>)

• A reply on Conversation: Who has made a difference in your learning ability and creativity? Share your personal education failures, milestones, and successes...

  2 days ago: Thanks Sean! It certainly feels real, and wonderful to me, and I am aware of your contribution to the learning and growth....thank you:>)

• A comment on Conversation: Why are we afraid to make mistakes?

  2 days ago: Dear Questions First,
  I think you are spot on when mentioning some of the reasons people are afraid to make mistakes...sometimes told that mistakes are not tolerated...should be avoided...hidden when they happen...". I suggest...mistakes are sometimes refered to as "failure"? People may think less of those who make mistakes? We may think less of ourselves?
  
  The definition of mistake includes..."wrong action or statement proceeding from faulty judgment".
  It also says..."inadequate knowledge".
  
  These statements, both part of the definition of "mistake", seem contradictory to me. If we do not have adequate knowledge, I don't know how a decision can be labeled "wrong", or "faulty judgment".
  
  Whatever the reason, I do not feel afraid to make mistakes, because in my perception, life is an exploration. I embrace the part of the definition which says..."inadequate knowledge", and continue to seek more knowledge, so I do not make the same less useful choice or decision again. Decisions and choices I make are based on all available information I have at any given time, and I do the best I can with the knowledge I have in the moment. We can move along the path of life, and in my perception, there are no mistakes....only opportunities to learn, grow and improve our life experience:>)
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: Are you happy?

  2 days ago: So true Adesh:>)
  
  "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes..."
  (Proust)

• A reply on Conversation: Are you happy?

  2 days ago: I guess we can look at it any way we please Lizanne, according to our individual preference:>)
  
  That is one thing that creates happiness, joy and contentment in my life....I do not get "stuck" with my own thoughts, feelings, ideas, beliefs, opinions and perceptions as "right". It is fun to share all of this with each other:>)
  
  I LOVE the way you put it Lizanne...
  "an overall feeling, a warm glow, a sort of radiance coming from your own, personal hub of joy"........I agree:>)
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: Are you happy?

  2 days ago: Henry and Jimmy,
  Hey guys, I just want to say I appreciate both of you, the explorations you are doing within yourselves and with all of us. It creates joy in my heart to see young people exploring life as you guys are doing.....thanks:>)
  Hope I don't offend you by calling you "young", but to me, almost EVERYONE is young.....LOL.....it's all a matter of where we are with the age number!
  
  I'm maxed out on thumbs for you Henry....I'll catch up again when it is allowed:>)