I was disappointed a few weeks ago when TEDx St. Albert was cancelled. I have always wanted to do a TED talk. I have been inspired by many TED talks in so many different ways. I was hoping that perhaps my talk could help inspire someone else the way that TED has inspired me. Sadly I won’t get that chance yet. So when I was given the chance to talk at Pecha Kucha St. Albert on November 15th, I jumped at it. It is a drastically different speaking format and a challenging one for even the best public speakers.
Talking about grief is difficult at the best of times. It is hard to balance the darkness of loss and the inspiration and hope hidden in that darkness all at the same time. As with any good Social Worker, I don’t really feel that I am an expert. I believe that the people that have privileged me with their stories are the experts. I am, like everyone else in the school of life, merely a student. So I have struggled with this talk. How do I share the lessons I have learned in a way that honours the journey I have taken with my clients and is meaningful to those that will hear me speak? My conclusion was simple, to ask the experts.
I asked everyone I know, and many I don’t this questio, “What has grief taught you?” Many of the answers have been simple, others inspirational, and others very sad. They are answers filled with desperation, longing, and despair but mostly they are answers filled with compassion, connection and hope. I will use these to help me build the framework of my talk.
I would love to hear from you as well. What has grief taught you?