Distinctive by nature: Why nature makes us better | Darren Virassammy | TEDxRoseville
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
- Darren invites us to consider that the life hack we are looking for may simply be right outside our door. Darren loves people, music and nature. He hosts 2 Podcasts, Leading Strong, and The Nature Advantage. in 2013 he co-founded 34 Strong, a team creating best workplaces and a 2021 INC.com best workplace. Virassammy is the Chief Script Flipper for The Flip The Script Family vlog which chronicles his family move to Barbados. He is a Victor Wooten Center for Music and Nature faculty member. Darren has spoken at CALHR, Hitachi, and was featured in: Chief Executive, The Ladders, BoldTV, KTLA, and BOSS magazine. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
When he said "a single moment that was rooted in presence." it really struck me! Like babies and children don't know how to be anything other than present. Maybe that's why people love to watch them playing and stuff. So carefree and joyous.
Really good point Lucy! I have never thought about it that way.
The talk in general was very educational to say the least👍
@Christos Amorim Thanks for checking it out!
@@nestermaratos1070 Glad you enjoyed it and it resonated.
@K H Thank you so much! That means the world to me as I just hope that the message resonates.
I've always felt this, spending time fully immersed in nature is so magical that small doses being this beneficial makes a lot of sense
YES angry beagles. The little doses are transformative and nature leaves tracks for us to find our own greatness if we allow it in. Thanks for checking out the talk and glad this connected for you!
we should all spend more time in nature
yes!
Nature is the best cure for us
@@lidiamervis6252 it definitely is! It can cure us before we are even ill. It helps to advance us as well.
Children really do remind us what truly matters in life, the way he describes that moment and the mix of love, clarity and pain it brought is really powerful.
Absolutely
Darren's talk made me reflect on the importance of being present in every aspect of our lives. Whether it's in nature or within ourselves, being fully engaged in the moment can lead to greater fulfillment.
Absolutely love the idea of nature shaping our excellence. High time we reconnect and find our distinctive paths.
Thanks for checking out the talk. I am glad this connected for you. I wish you nature.
it's crazy how a moment with his daughter in nature changed his entire life. really shows the power of being present.
being present has become a very important life theme for me since then. Thanks for checking out the talk.
Okay I'm blown away by the story he told about Victor Wooten.... at first I was like... how do those things possibly connect?? Then the stuff about the different kind of tracks and what they meant made so much sense of it all. What an incredible place to draw musical inspiration from.
I was really moved by his emphasis on being physically present but psychologically absent. It’s something I think many of us struggle with in today’s fast-paced world.
Victor Wooten’s experience with animal tracking and its influence on his music was fascinating. It’s amazing how nature can provide such profound insights and inspiration
It's actually quite profound, the impact of nature on our well-being. I remember being completely heartbroken and a friend took me snorkelling, afterwards I felt so rejuvenated, it was incredible.
Nature's role in enhancing our creativity and well-being can't be understated. There is so much to be gained from truly connecting with nature. If only people understood this, maybe we would do better at protecting it.
YES!! Thanks for checking the talk out! I wish you nature!
Wow, Darren, your daughter's first laugh moment really hit home. Nature's impact on our lives is incredible, as is the pure joy of a child. 🌿
Thank you for checking out the talk and glad it resonated so heavily. The two together were a profound moment for sure!
His journey really puts into perspective how moments of presence can alter our path in profound ways. It's like the messages and guidance are always flowing, we just have to be in a state where we can receive them.
Yes to that! Thank you for checking out the talk!
I find it fascinating how nature can evoke such profound emotions and insights. Darren's story about his daughter's laughter is a beautiful reminder of the wonders that exist in the world around us.
Thank you for checking out the talk and so happy the story connected for you.
It is a lovely story, I wonder though would it not have been just as powerful regardless of where he was?
There's something about the stillness. It is pure calm.
Well, when it's calm. Though the flip side of that is quite incredible too.
The stuff he said about the guy who drew inspiration from nature to figure out business models makes a lot of sense. There's a reason nature works so well, because it's evolved over billions of years to be as efficient and long-lasting as possible
Yes to that! Nature has a an eye toward longevity! Thanks for checking the talk and sharing your perspective. I wish you nature.
Victor Wooten connecting nature and music is genius! Now I'm inspired to compose a symphony based on the sounds of the forest. Nature truly is a muse 😍
yes!! Please share that symphony when you do that!
I think it really says something about the way we're living, and how caught up in our own minds we are as a society.
Thank you for checking it out.
This is why it's so important that we work to protect nature! It shouldn't be seen as the backdrop to some getaway but as a part of our lifestyle!
Yes! Thank you for checking out the talk.
There's soooo much we can learn from being in nature, not just to apply to business and for profits but just to learn about ourselves and to feel that sense of connection to where we came from and what life was like before humanity decided to dominate everything
Thanks for checking out the talk! Glad this made a connection for you! I wish you nature!
The story about using nature to grasp abstract concepts was amazing. It’s a great example of how the natural world can enhance our understanding in unique ways
Yup! Nature is absolutely the best. Being near the ocean with my feet in the sand is my favorite place to be. Something about the water is both soothing and refreshing... it's easy to see why some people think water is divine.
Thanks for checking out the talk. I am glad it resonated. The late J. Wallace Nichols wrote the book Blue Mind. It explains scientifically what happens when our brain is around water. You may enjoy it. I wish you nature!
I love the parallels he makes about nature and potential. Really beautiful.
Thank you Alan. I really appreciate you checking it out and am happy it resonated.
Yes, everything budding, blooming, growing, spreading...
Framing nature as a solution to modern problems was a novel idea. It’s a "life hack" I never considered before but now makes so much sense.
Parenthood definitely has a way of shining a light on what life is all about. It's like you see them go through it for the first time and it's almost like you're doing that too.
Absolutely! Thanks for checking out the talk!
I've always believed in the power of nature to heal and inspire, but hearing how he connected those dots from personal experience to professional success is really something else
Thank you so much for checking out the talk. I am glad this connected for you. I wish you nature.
I'm a huge fan of Mother Nature. She's both Nature and Nurture. She's a flow of energy and she is life itself. Have you ever noticed what happens to a burned out forest? Dark and barren, little by little the ecosystem returns to sprinklings of green growth renewal. For me she's a metaphor to ride the storm, take care of yourself, be kind and be alert. I have to keep in mind to get out of my mind and expand my view to all of what is reality. She can and will, collide worlds. She's no wallflower!
Thank you for checking out the talk. I LOVE everything you shared and the perspective on the forest. I literally just used that analogy with my work team at 34 strong.
The analogy of the beehive and business scaling was brilliant. It’s amazing how much we can learn from observing nature.
It makes a great deal of sense to provide workplaces where people are happy and look forward to working. After all we spend so much of our time at work.
Nick...it is critical to work on employee engagement. People love to feel valued for being valuable. It is amazing what happens in workplaces when we develop people around their strengths. That is at the core of what 34 Strong does. Nature, and us each taking our own time to be in it, or even notice it when we are inside (noticing the wood grain on a cabinet door for instance and wondering what the tree it came from was like), can be a powerful way to super charge ourselves to be more creative, calmer, and reduce stress. Thanks for checking out the talk and sharing your perspective!
@@virassammydarren Good answer!!!
@@mattgruic thank you! Much appreciated! That is at the core of what I do!
Jim Rohn's quote about being the average of the five places where we spend the most time has really made me feel like I should rethink my surroundings.
Glad that one resonated for you! Jim Rohn's quote is: What if we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with?
My quote is: What if we are the average of the 5 places where we spend the most time?
His point about nature helping us unlock hidden talents was inspiring. It makes me want to spend more time outdoors to discover new skills.
I agree with Darren that nature has a unique way of teaching us valuable lessons. It's a reminder that we are just a small part of a much larger and interconnected ecosystem, and that can be a very humbling perspective check
Thank you for checking out the talk. I am so glad it resonated!
An animal tracker's lessons in business? Genius! Nature's wisdom can unlock the potential for distinctive success.
Absolutely! Time in Nature is powerful!
The beehive analogy for scaling businesses is genius. Mike Michalowicz's journey is proof that nature can inspire innovation. 🐝💡
Absolutely! The cool thing about the majority of Mike’s books are they are rooted in nature. He has found that the concepts found in nature are relatable to many more people.
Now THIS is leadership that is sustainable, this is how we ensure a productive future!!
Thank you for checking out my talk. That is my hope that we can incorporate nature into our leadership and life. ❤
I dare say that any part of this world that can offer us a glimpse into the inner workings of this complex and vast eco system is a very humbling and healing experience.
Yes! Thank you for checking the talk out.
There is so much beauty in nature! Not just in the plants or the views but in all the creatures too and being present within it is to feel that it's truly an ecosystem and we're a part of it as well. I think that's where all the magic happens, in feeling like we belong and have a place within something so beautiful.
This talk is a great reminder to slow down and truly engage with the people and experiences around us. Not easy to do with the constant noise of modern life and technology.
'Stop and smell the roses.' Nature has a way of slowing us down and helping us appreciate the simple joys in life.
That is definitely one of the many amazing things it does for us. Thanks for checking the talk out.
I think it reminds us of how much beauty there is in simple things.
But then I guess when you break down how those things came to exist it's not really that simple
Yes to all of this, and something more to consider; the rhythms of nature, their cyclical patterns, all of it can teach us so much about the ways in which we're _meant_ to be living.
This talk is really a wake up call in terms of reassessing how much time we spend inside and how "healthy" that is.
Thank you for watching the talk!
I feel like Darren could be talking directly to me lol such an important message about how nature offers a space for us to slow down, breathe, connect... with ourselves and with the world around us! I think I forget this more often than I remember it.
Thanks for checking out the talk. It is interesting in that Nature can create a space for us to slow down, breathe and connect...so we can actually speed up in a far more focused intentional manner. I wish you Nature!!
Darren's emphasis on nature as a source of inspiration resonates with me. Sometimes, all it takes is a walk in the park or a moment by the ocean to gain clarity and perspective.
Thanks for checking out the talk. I am happy it resonated with you! Nature can serve as a great reset button to get our mind operating at its best.
As I listen to these stories, I'm reminded that even small moments in nature can have a big impact on my life.
Glad this connects. I appreciate you checking out the talk...Here is to more nature in your life!
Many don't have the luxury of changing their circumstances but being in nature walking or perhaps watching the sun set certainly uplifts most.
Yes to that! Thanks for checking the talk...that is a huge take home point I was hoping for. catch the little moments in nature.
The analogy between nature, music, and life is brilliant. It's all connected.
Thank you for that. Victor really brought that to life for me and it really opened up my mind a lot!
Oh man what he says about realizing we're all potential but that he'd forgotten about his own... I definitely felt that.
Darren's talk reminded me of the importance of mindfulness and being fully present in the moment. Whether it's in nature or in our daily lives, practicing mindfulness can lead to a more fulfilling existence.
💯
How wonderful that time in nature improves our mental clarity and problem solving skills. Such an elegant drug free solution.
Absolutely! 100%! It can really help advance us if we even give ourselves nature moments regularly.
Darren's story about his daughter's laughter in nature is a beautiful reminder of the joy and wonder that nature can bring. It's a powerful force that has the ability to uplift our spirits and inspire us.
Absolutely, it's a really beautiful story and clearly was a very powerful moment for him
I think it's more so that being in nature allowed him to be present for that moment?
@@robertahvieira Truth!!
I think the grandness of nature gives scope as to how tiny and insignificant we are. It reminds us of our mortality in a way that isn't morbid and also gives us this beautiful sense of hope that the world could be as it was intended once more
Beautifully said John! i really appreciate that perspective. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and checking out the talk!
I think this talk does a great job of showing how crucial it is to make a conscious effort of reconnecting with nature, because it's not just going to happen incidentally.
So much of this talk speaks to how urgently we need to re-establish our bond with nature, I hope people are paying attention
ictor's story about finding inspiration in nature's patterns really struck a chord with me. Nature's melodies are everywhere!
100% So happy you enjoyed it.
That moment when Kira laughed out loud resonates with me so deeply!
Thanks for checking out the talk. That moment still connects very strongly for me to this day as well.
It's amazing how our digital lives can disconnect us from the natural world... this talk is a good reminder to find that balance in order to be more present and frankly I appreciate it very much.
Absolutely Darren, when you change how you view something, the thing you're viewing changes.
Thank you!
Your story is a great example of the power of connection and collaboration. It's amazing to see how one chance meeting with a stranger can lead to so much success and growth.
Thank you for checking out the talk!
Thanks for sharing your reaction to your daughter's first laugh. You were blessed because most Dads aren't around when that happens, working to provide for their families.
My pleasure! It was and still is a magical moment that has helped to focus on staying present in the kiddos lives!
Nature makes us better and more present, absolutely!
YES! Thanks for checking out the talk. Feel free to share it with anyone who may benefit.
I couldn't agree more! Nature has a way of changing our perspectives and making us better. 🌳😄
Thank you so much for checking the talk out. I am glad it resonated. Nature can really serve as such a powerful enhancer in our lives to make us better at what we want to get better at.
Darren's talk made me reflect on how our busy lives have disconnected us from nature. Perhaps taking some time to appreciate the natural world around us can bring about positive changes.
Thanks for checking out the talk. I am happy it got you reflecting. I wish you nature!
It's fascinating to think about how much impact being present in the moment can have on our lives and our work. It's definitely something I'll be thinking about moving forward.
It really is important to be present when present. Our environment is making that more and more difficult. Thank you for checking out the talk. Here is to nature and to being present as nature helps us to be present.
Balance makes us better humans. And considering nature is what nurtures us and replenishes us, makes sense that we need to focus on ensuring we have more of it in our lives
Thanks for sharing Liz! So true!
This talk is making me rethink how I spend my free time, it's rarely outside, even though things I enjoy could easily be done outside the thought of doing that just never really crosses my mind
I completely agree with Darren that being present in the moment can have a profound impact on our lives. Nature certainly has a way of grounding us and allowing us to appreciate the beauty around us
Thanks for checking out the talk!
Yes!!! I think it's the grounding part that has such an immense impact for me. Hard to put it into words but that's a very good way of putting it
There's so much in this talk I didn't know about nature, like all the stuff about the health benefits and reducing stress. It's really beautiful to think that our natural environment gives us these kinds of benefits.
Yes to that. Thank you for checking out the talk!
Darren's talk made me reflect on the beauty and serenity of nature. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the chaos of our lives that we forget to appreciate the simple wonders that surround us.
Thanks for checking it out!!
100%. Nature has beauty, serenity and complete chaos, and yet somehow it all comes together and works. Thanks for checking out the talk.
I know exactly all those feelings he talks about in the very beginning. When you're 100% in a moment like that what might seem not super significant to another person hits you with the force of your entire being. It's so profound that yes you feel all those emotions and a huge sense of sorrow that I personally think comes from knowing how disconnected and far from what our lives are truly meant to be like.
Darren's emphasis on nature as a teacher is so true. Nature's cycles of growth, change, and renewal can serve as powerful metaphors for our own lives. There's much wisdom to be gained from observing and appreciating the natural world.
So happy this connected for you! Thanks for checking out the talk.
Yeah that part really resonated for me as well. I like your interpretation too, about the cycles and how that can reflect in our own lives.
@@gemi10togood so glad the talk connected. Thank you for checking it out.
slowing down and simplifying. the essence of being present doesn't require a major life change.
One of my best memories is of being at the beach and this whole group of kids rocked up and were having the most amazing time playing in the water. It was pretty obvious that they were on a field trip and when I spoke to one of the teachers they told me most of them had never seen the ocean before. I grew up near the beach so I'd never really thought about how it would feel to see it for the first time but getting that second hand experience from those kids was so pure and beautiful and something I'll always treasure
Thanks for sharing that story. That is truly awesome and puts a lot into perspective.
It's so powerful isn't it, the way you look at your children and are filled with so much hope and excitement for them and for what their lives and potential hold ❤
Absolutely! Thanks for checking the talk out ash!
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This is a really beautiful talk, and I appreciate the message Darren is trying to spread. It would certainly be a much nicer world if everyone had the time to appreciate the beauty of nature and how it can ground us.
Thank you for checking it out and I am so happy that it resonated for you.
If everyone had the time, means, and desire to appreciate and _respect_ nature. Yes. The world would be very different indeed.
Thank you Darren! If only the masses were more educated about holistic measures for preventative care, I dare say we would all be a lot better off!
Thank YOU for checking it out! I agree. ❤
I love that they've given it a proper name - 'nature deficit disorder' rings true for a lot of people I work with
When I was researching the talk, I was blown away that this term has been around but heard by so few. Thanks for checking the talk out!
When I worked in the city on the 50th floor of a sky scraper I would make sure I went for a walk in the Botanical Gardens, particularly in Winter. Raised my spirits and put a smile on my face
Very cool! Thanks for sharing. That is so important.
I've never thought about the connection between nature and our well-being until now but I'm listening to this talk and thinking about all the times I got to spend in nature, trips away with family and friends... I thought it was just being away from daily life that made me feel so relaxed and grounded but now I'm thinking maybe just being in nature is what gave me all those good feelings.
It very well may be. Time in nature can give those good feelings and it can help us be better in our daily lives. Wishing you Nature!
We come from nature! Nature is divine... it makes a lot of sense that spending time in it regularly has all those benefits. It's just a shame that not many people know or understand this.
Great perspective Bill. I am hoping that this can serve as a very SIMPLE Reawakening of what could be for many of us when we return to nature.
This is such a wake up call for reassessing how and where we're spending our time, thank you.
Thank you so much for checking this out. I am glad it connected for you. As I put the pieces together over the years in my mind...that is how I felt, and why I felt compelled to give the talk.
How wonderful for Darren to be there for his daughter's first laugh, many dads are at work when it happens, or caught up doing other things.
Thanks for checking out the talk. I was definitely fortunate to be there and easily could have missed it even if I was there, because of how I was living.
Yeah definitely a cool experience
Sounds like Darren had the solid backing to ensure he was aligning himself with what is really important and in turn, pays off in the bigger picture. I think we could all take note here.
Thank you Cruz for checking out. Glad this resonated. ❤
I like the part about all of us being potential, and he's right it's so important for us not to forget that
Glad that portion resonated with you Mario! Thanks for checking it out!
What a power move just up and relocating to Barbados. Takes a lot of courage to just move your whole life like that but clearly it had an amazing impact.
Being in nature also makes us move around more! When we're at the beach or camping it's so likely that we'll go for little walks, that's not happening inside.
Truth! Thanks for checking the talk!
I totally agree with Darren that spending time in nature is more beneficial for my mental health and well being.
Thank you Glad this resonated with you!
"Perhaps the best way for us to speed up is to slow down" - couldn't agree more with this
Glad that resonated! I wish you nature AND slowing down to speed up.
I've always admired the great minds of the past. If nature played a role in their excellence, then there must be something to it. I'm open to exploring how nature can enhance my own creativity and productivity.
Great to hear @Izak! Give nature a try and see what it does. I would love to hear your perspectives on how it impacts you. Thanks for checking out the talk!
Thank you Darren! We are still so driven by our instincts it's hard to believe that so many couldn't see the importance of being outside, feet planted firmly on the ground.
Thank you so much. It is amazing how many of us can go days or weeks without actually touching the bare earth. I am glad you enjoyed this. ❤❤
I'm confused by what you mean. What do you think our instincts are/what do they drive us to do?
Nature is indeed a remarkable teacher!
Absolutely incredible teacher! Thank you for checking the talk out.
I never thought nature could be a source of inspiration for musicians. I'd love to discover how nature has influenced their distinctive styles and see if I can find my own creative spark.
Thanks for checking out the talk! There are many things that can inspire musicians, and for Victor and his Brothers, nature has definitely been one key source. Victor's brothers Joseph (Keyboardist for the Steve Miller band) and Roy (drummer, also a 5 time grammy winner with the Flecktones) were interviewed on the Nature advantage podcast. There are others on there as well like Saxophonist Bob Hemenger.
I appreciate the reminder that we all have potential, and that it's important to take the time to recognize and nurture it. Your daughter's laughter was a beautiful symbol of that.
Thank you for sharing your perspective and checking out the talk!
This is a lovely way of viewing that story, especially love the part about everyone having potential.
Such a hopeful and positive perspective to have on humanity
This is such a compelling message, I took a long train ride last week and just going past all the rivers and seeing forests felt amazing and transformative
So powerful! I definitely want to do a long train ride like that. Thank you for checking out the talk.
I resonate with Darren's message about finding peace and clarity in nature. It's amazing how spending time outdoors can help us gain perspective and reconnect with our inner selves
Thanks for checking out the talk and I am glad this resonated with you!
Yes, absolutely the perspective thing really rang true for me as well
Obviously the answer to Darren's question [at the 1;10 marker] is yes. Being "present", either at work or in life makes us better and more able to respond positively.
Agreed...that is the part that has fascinating me and that I have shared many times...I am stating the obvious. Something so obvious and in front of us...that many of us (myself included) have drifted from the ability to do this because of our constant state of distraction and connection.
Darren's talk highlights the importance of taking the time to immerse ourselves in nature. Whether it's going for a hike, spending time at the beach, or simply sitting under a tree, nature has a way of rejuvenating and inspiring us.
It does... but I wonder if part of that is just taking the time to be still, quiet, and undistracted?
Thanks for checking out the talk!!
@@pizza-addictdefinitely a good point. It seems like time in nature can be a way to help some people get there.
I think spending time in nature reminds us of where we came from as a species, and the fact that we ARE part of the natural world, that how we live day to day is actually UN-natural and I think that creates a really interesting realignment within our spirit
Thanks for checking out and sharing those thoughts. Great perspective!!
Darren's talk resonated with me. As someone who spends most of their time indoors, I realize the need to reconnect with nature and its positive effects on our well-being.
Thank you for checking the talk out. I hope that the talk sparked something in your reconnection with nature, and would love to hear how that process impacts you.
true, it's very important to get at least some time in nature
This is already one of my favorite Ted Talks of all-time. It's so easy to lose sight of beautiful this little moments in life are, and it's easy to let's them pass you by. It's no coincidence that Darren has found the success he has by flipping the script and gett connected with nature.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Jesse! Glad this resonated so deeply for you!
its really good!
@@phillipnorris3rd Thank you! Glad this connected for you!
This is a beautiful talk Darren, I know the exact feeling you're talking about with watching your daughter laugh so powerful and overwhelming
Thank you so much for checking this Yassa. It is powerful to know that you have felt that as well.
Thank you Darren! I keep telling myself "once I'm finished this project"... but I realise now I need to incorporate nature into my every day life instead of using it as a reward.
Absolutely make it happen as a “nature habit.” It will make those projects go much better.