Why we should eulogize the living | Walter Green | TEDxSanDiego | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Express gratitude to loved ones while they're alive to avoid regrets later.

Key Insights

• 🥰 Acknowledge loved ones while they are alive.
• 😑 Avoid regrets by expressing gratitude promptly.
• ❓ The importance of deep relationships and tributes.
• 🥹 Technology facilitates connecting and sharing gratitude.
• 😑 Impact of unexpected events on expressing gratitude.
• 🌐 The "Say It Now" movement's global reach.
• 🥰 Celebrating life and honoring loved ones.

Transcript

foreign [Applause] to me that people are so important in our lives and then we wait till they die to honor them and to express our profound gratitude to them it is always perplexed me and it led me to a deep belief that there was a missing ingredient to elevate every important relationship and it was now it's been a journey of over three decades th... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does the speaker believe in expressing gratitude to people while they are alive?

The speaker believes in expressing gratitude because waiting till someone passes on deprives them of hearing how much they meant to others, leading to regrets.

Q: What inspired the speaker to start the "Say It Now" movement?

The speaker's experiences at memorials and celebrations made him realize the importance of acknowledging loved ones while they are still alive, which inspired him to start the movement.

Q: How did the speaker honor his friend Danny's wish for a celebration of life?

The speaker organized a birthday party for Danny where he invited loved ones to express their gratitude, giving Danny a chance to hear their appreciation.

Q: Why does the speaker emphasize the significance of expressing gratitude now?

The speaker believes that expressing gratitude now prevents regrets and allows individuals to know the impact they have had on others, fostering stronger relationships.

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares his journey and passion for expressing gratitude and honoring relationships while the person is still alive. He talks about the importance of deep relationships and how he started the mission and movement called "Say It Now." He shares personal experiences of celebrating life and honoring friends, emphasizing the power of expressing gratitude while the person is still alive. The speaker also discusses the craving to be appreciated and the impact of technology on staying connected. He urges the audience to consider someone who has had a profound influence on their life and imagine the regret they might feel if something happened unexpectedly to that person. He concludes by highlighting the success of the "Say It Now" program and encouraging everyone to seize the opportunity to express gratitude now.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired the speaker to start the mission and movement called "Say It Now"?

The speaker was perplexed by the fact that people are often honored and appreciated only after they die. He believed there was a missing ingredient to elevate every important relationship and was inspired to express gratitude and honor relationships while the person is still alive.

Q: How did the speaker start his mission and movement?

The speaker gathered his five closest friends for a weekend celebration on his 50th birthday and publicly expressed their importance in his life. This event marked the beginning of the mission and movement called "Say It Now," which aims to express appreciation and honor relationships while the person is still alive.

Q: Why did the speaker decide to express what people meant to him individually?

After attending several memorial services and celebrations of life, the speaker realized that the person being honored never heard the beautiful tributes and expressions of gratitude. He did not want this to be the fate of people who had been important to him, so he decided to meet with 44 people individually to express what they meant to him in his life.

Q: Can you share more about the speaker's experience with his friend Denny?

The speaker's friend, Denny, wanted a nice party after he passed away. However, the speaker suggested inviting the same people to a birthday party and he would do the celebration of life. They had a deal, and the fantastic birthday party allowed Denny to hear the tributes and expressions of gratitude from the people who mattered in his life. Sadly, Denny passed away a year and a half later, but the speaker fulfilled his promise by organizing a celebration of life, where the same people were invited to honor him.

Q: What is the power of expressing gratitude while the person is still alive?

Expressing gratitude while the person is still alive allows them to hear and feel the importance they have in the lives of others. It eliminates regrets for things left unsaid and creates a living tribute to the impact the person has had on others. It is a way of acknowledging that they made a difference and ensures that their lives mattered.

Q: Who said that the deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated?

William James, the founder of American psychology, said that the deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated. People often don't realize the impact they have on others, so if it is not expressed to them, they will never know.

Q: How has technology influenced staying connected and expressing gratitude?

The evolution of technology has made it easy for us to stay connected with others around the world. With just a click of a button and almost no cost, we can gather a group and have a living tribute to express gratitude. Technology enables us to connect and honor someone's impact on our lives, whether it be through one-on-one conversations, writing letters, or gathering a community to honor them.

Q: Why should we consider someone who has had a profound influence on our lives and imagine the regret we might feel if something happened unexpectedly to that person?

Considering someone who has had a profound influence on our lives helps us realize the importance of expressing gratitude while they are still alive. Imagining the regret we might feel if something unexpected happens to that person motivates us to seize the opportunity to say it now, and express our appreciation for the impact they have had on our lives.

Q: How did the recent COVID-19 crisis demonstrate the unpredictability of life?

The COVID-19 crisis showed us that life is always unpredictable. Over one million people in the United States lost their lives unexpectedly and abruptly. This crisis highlights the importance of expressing gratitude and telling someone their impact on our lives while they are still alive. It emphasizes the significance of avoiding regrets for things we wish we had said if the person were to suddenly be gone.

Q: What is the long-term vision for "Say It Now"?

The long-term vision for "Say It Now" is already happening. The program is present in all 50 states, 15,000 classrooms, and 67 countries around the world. It is growing rapidly, and this year, one million expressions of gratitude to parents, teachers, coaches, spouses, friends, and grandparents are expected. The program's success lies in its ability to inspire people to express gratitude and honor relationships while the person is still alive.

Takeaways

The video promotes the idea of expressing gratitude and honoring relationships while the person is still alive. It emphasizes the regret that can arise from not expressing appreciation to someone who has had a profound influence on our lives if something unexpected were to happen to them. The speaker shares personal experiences and highlights the importance of the "Say It Now" movement, which aims to eliminate regrets and ensure that people know the impact they have had on others. The message encourages everyone to seize the opportunity to express gratitude now and avoid the regret of leaving important words unsaid.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Importance of expressing gratitude to loved ones while they are alive.

• Story of the speaker's journey in honoring important relationships.

• Emphasizes the power of saying 'thank you' now instead of waiting.