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My philosophy for a happy life | Sam Berns | TEDxMidAtlantic
A teenager with progeria on how to be happy. His answer isn't about what's missing.
Who it's for
Berns speaks as a teenager with a rare, serious condition, so his optimism carries a credibility that advice from outsiders lacks.
Hopeless→Uplifted
Feelings it meets
What it is
In this TEDxMidAtlantic talk from 2013, Sam Berns, a teenager with progeria (a rare genetic condition that causes rapid aging), explains how he takes charge of his own happiness despite major obstacles. He sets out his personal philosophy: accept what you can't do and focus on what you can, surround yourself with people who matter to you, and keep moving forward.
Where to find it
YouTube, TEDx Talks channel (free). Also on TED.com.
Before you start
Heads up: Life-limiting illness.
Age: Ages 9+
Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.Helen Keller, Optimism: An Essay
