My Odyssey to Reconnect with JOY
Marie-Liesse Calméjane |
TEDxChatsworthInternationalSchool
• April 2021
Life is not a straight line, it has a way to take us to places we never thought we would go. How can we learn to accept our circumstances with grace and grit instead of resistance, and how to find JOY in face of adversity?
In this talk I share my personal story and how raising a son, born with achondroplasia (the most common form of dwarfism), has brought me to an unexpected yet beautiful journey. This experience has shaped me as a mom and invited me to rediscover the meaning of my name Marie-Liesse (an ancient French word for Joy). It also pushed me to step into a new profession and I became a certified integral coach, now helping my clients to build their resilience and find joy in their lives whatever the circumstances.
I hope you will enjoy some of my key lessons about Joy and the questions I raised around choice, trust and happiness. I share tips on how to practice gratitude daily and cultivate an optimistic yet realistic mindset.
I also believe it will change your perception of dwarfism and inspire other parents who raise kids with visible or invisible difference. Ultimately my intention is to contribute to a more inclusive world.