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

• TEDCred score: +607.60 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A comment on Conversation: What makes you care?

  25 minutes ago: Hi again Lizanne!
  Nothing "makes" me care, because in my perception and experience, caring is a choice which gives me joy and pleasure:>) When we hear people's stories, it opens the window for honesty, trust, compassion, empathy, and kindness which contribute to caring. The first thing that is important, is to care enough to listen to the story! If we don't, we deprive ourselves information.
  
  I am very curious about everything in our world, especially human behaviors, so I love to observe, consider information from different perspectives, learn, grow and evolve. I think/feel observing with a genuine intent to learn, understand and care, is a great gift to myself. The story itself, the way it is told, and everything to do with the situation, provides information which may facilitate caring:>)

• A reply on Conversation: What do you think about Islam?

  45 minutes ago: I do not "expect" anything of you Peter, the religion you have chosen may be the "best" for you, and there are other religions which may be the best choices for other people. I do not have "difficulty with the distinction" you mention.
  
  I am aware of your beliefs Peter, and this topic is not about your beliefs. You are right Peter, your post has nothing to do with Islam......again:>)

• A reply on Conversation: What is one act of kindness you have witnessed, granted or received?

  55 minutes ago: Don,
  My kids both had paper routes too! My daughter had it first, when she was about 10-12, and when she gave it up for "bigger:" things, my son took it over. I was also concerned about their safety at times, and in very cold, below zero weather, would get up early with them and drive them around.
  
  They also had difficulty at times, getting paid by a couple people, and got some very good tips from many appreciative customers because they did a GREAT job. The paper route was a good lesson for them in money and time management, responsibility, etc., I was, and continue to be very proud of both of them:>)
  
  I realize that you focus on lying quite a bit, and even accuse folks here on TED of lying when they/we do not agree with you. Thanks for the warning Don, and I am not as skeptical as you seem to be:>)
  
  Very sorry Don, about the loss of your friend recently.
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: What do you think about Islam?

  13 hours ago: Thanks for the response Edwin:>)
  
  I agree..."I do not think that religion creates any good thing between humans".....apparently we agree on that!
  
  I respect all religions if the beliefs and practices do not adversly impact other people....apparently we agree on that:>)
  
  The part about not getting along because some folks are trying to prove who is "right" and who is "wrong"....agree!
  
  I also have a belief, and it does not involve or require a religion or a god.
  
  I agree with the Shakespeare quote, except for the part about revenge. You know Edwin, religious people sometimes preach and teach about love (acceptance, kindness, compassion, empathy, etc.) and when it comes right down to it, I do not see most of those who call themselves good religious people walking their talk!
  
  That part , to me, is what is really important. One can talk, preach, and quote the holy books all s/he wants, usually quote those parts which support their argument, and the heck with the rest!
  
  Appriciate your perspective Edwin:>)

• A reply on Conversation: What do you think about Islam?

  13 hours ago: Hi Edwin,
  Yes, we can be humans without religion.....in my humble perception:>)
  
  I perceive everyone as brothers and sisters living under the same sun, and I do not practice a religion, although I accept all beliefs and practices if they do not adversly impact other people.
  
  I cannot think of one good thing that the differences of religion has created for humans. What is your thought on that? I know that religion is a valuable life guide for many people, and it can also be very destructive.

• A reply on Conversation: What do you think about Islam?

  14 hours ago: They've got it "wrong" Peter? It also appears that you are saying Islam is a "cult"...and...." Islam is an addition", and not the correct "version"? The correct "version" of the story about a god Peter?
  
  This is what you wrote at the start of this thread...
  
  "Peter Law
  3 days ago: Hi Yahid,
  The Old & New Testament quite clearly identify Jesus Christ as God, the Creator of the Universe.....As I understand Islam, it venerates Jesus as a prophet who was the forerunner of Mohammed. I also understand that Islam accepts the Bible as a book from God.... Bible says He's God; you accept the Bible, but say He's a prophet......Salvation comes through Jesus only. All bible based cults demote Jesus from His Divinty in one way or another..... I believe the Bible is the Word of God, it warns us against additions or subtractions; that's good enough for me. Islam is an addition, & I much prefer the unadulterated version".
  
  You tell us a lot about your personal beliefs Peter, and also state that "all bible based cults demote Jesus"..."Islam is an addition, & I much prefer the unadulterated version".
  
  You think/feel that Islam is a "cult"? You think/feel that Islam is "an addition", and not the correct "version"?
  
  I'm not supporting any religious belief Peter, it just seems like no matter what the topic quesion is, YOUR religion is the best...YOUR religion is the one and only....YOUR religion is the ONLY thing you talk about, and the topic question is ..."What do you think about Islam?"
  
  Why is it so important to you Peter, that everyone believe the same things that you believe?

• A reply on Conversation: A deceptively simple question: What is, was, and will always be impossible to occur?

  15 hours ago: Cameron,
  I just want to remind you that YOU brought the example of life and death into the conversation....
  
  "Cameron Bosinski
  2 hours ago:
  There are some things that can only exist as one thing or another.
  Living and dead are an example.
  Something is either alive or dead, never both at the same time."
  
  I followed your lead, and responded to your question. Be clear about what you are trying to achieve with this discussion.

• A reply on Conversation: A deceptively simple question: What is, was, and will always be impossible to occur?

  15 hours ago: For what it's worth Pat, I think it applies. I'm getting the idea that maybe our friend Cameron doesn't really want to have a conversation....or......he doesn't understand that people may have a different perspective? He already told me to "remove" myself from the conversation...LOL:>)

• A reply on Conversation: A deceptively simple question: What is, was, and will always be impossible to occur?

  16 hours ago: Correct Cameron....the body was kept alive with life support systems. Again.....if the body had NOT had the life support systems it would have been dead. Since it DID have life support systems it continued to function.
  
  I am aware of the current definition of death, and the vital functions were kept alive with life support systems. What part of that do you not understand?
  
  I don't really care if you consider what I offer as "truth" or not. You asked a question which I am respectfully responding to.
  
  Remove myself from the conversation....my lack of insight will not be missed....my heart has taken control of my mind and my emotions cloud thoughts???
  
  I am not fighting Cameron.....you are fighting with yourself! I have not always assumed anything......what the heck are you talking about???

• A reply on Conversation: A deceptively simple question: What is, was, and will always be impossible to occur?

  17 hours ago: I understand "degrees of many things" Cameron.
  
  I do not agree that living and dead is an example of "some things that can only exist as one thing or another".
  
  After a near fatal head/brain injury and emergency craniotomy, I was kept alive with life support systems. The body, for all practical purposes, according to the medical model, was not functioning on its own, so without the life support systems, if left "naturally", the body would have been dead. I was technically dead and alive at the same time.
  
  I agree that according to our perception at any given time, and based on information we may, or may not have, "something may be currently possible or currently impossible.
  
  I understand your question....how about trying to understand my response?
  
  I believe that our perception of the "thing" in question, is indeed contingent upon information that we have at any given time. You just proved that with your response.
  
  In my perception, to label something "impossible" hinders our creativity and imagination, and therefor, renders it "impossible" in our mind and heart.
  
  I did address the main question Cameron......here it is again....
  "I perceive that as soon as we say something is impossible, we start to limit our imagination and creativity......To me, it IS a label....one which I choose not to use because I think/feel it limits the possibilities:>)
  
  What part of the statement do you not understand?