Ideas worth spreading

Redefining how we love

56,774 views |

Cynthia Ong |

TEDxVCU

• April 2022

For many of us, our parents were our first template for love. And for Cynthia Ong—a first generation child of Vietnamese immigrants—love meant sacrifice. Through self-exploration and therapy as an adult, she came to understand love as a myriad of languages defined by her own values—like empathy, gratitude, and self-preservation—not by what she gave to other people. In her personal and heartwarming talk, Ong explores the many forms love can take.

For many of us, our parents were our first template for love. And for Cynthia Ong—a first generation child of Vietnamese immigrants—love meant sacrifice. Through self-exploration and therapy as an adult, she came to understand love as a myriad of languages defined by her own values—like empathy, gratitude, and self-preservation—not by what she gave to other people. In her personal and heartwarming talk, Ong explores the many forms love can take.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxVCU, an independent event.

Read more about TEDx.

About the speaker

Cynthia Ong

Medical Student at Virginia Commonwealth University

Cynthia Ong is currently a second-year medical student at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. While she attributes all of her success to the love, support, and opportunities provided to her by the sacrifices of her first-generation immigrant parents, she also acknowledges the struggles associated with growing up in this household dynamic. As a future physician, she wishes to one day inspire others to live their lives to the fullest potential, and hopes that this TedTalk is another means to do just that.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxVCU, an independent event.

Read more about TEDx.