"Wo Chaar Log" - Kuch To Log Kahenge | Mrs Kena Shree | TEDxSCBMCH | Summary and Q&A

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares her personal story of overcoming challenges and finding joy in life. She talks about her name, her upbringing, and her realization of the power of conversations. She shares her journey of success in academics and career, but also the emptiness she felt and her procrastination to fulfill that void. She then reveals her battle with breast lumps and the surgeries she had to undergo, along with the physical and emotional pain she experienced. Through this difficult time, she learned about the power of living in the present moment and cherishing the small pleasures of life. She also talks about the importance of knowing oneself and following one's heart, rather than chasing after societal expectations. Despite the sacrifices and uncertainties, she finds fulfillment in pursuing multiple art forms and making a positive impact in various areas of her life. She concludes by sharing lessons she has learned, such as appreciating the beauty of life, valuing the journey over the destination, finding love and support, expressing gratitude, and embracing one's scars as opportunities for growth.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the speaker's name and what does it mean?

The speaker's name is Keena Shri, which means "quint" in Hindi. "Quint" refers to the number five, and it symbolizes the many diverse qualities and experiences of the speaker. She describes herself as a riot of colors, just like the Kenna Lily flower she is named after, which has long leaves and vibrant colors.

Q: What did the speaker learn from her upbringing and family?

The speaker grew up in a progressive family of academicians who loved to converse and engage in discussions and debates. From her family, she learned the power of conversations and the magic they hold. These experiences taught her to never give up on conversations and to value the exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Q: How did the speaker's art forms and interests contribute to her self-discovery?

At a young age, the speaker dabbled in various art forms, which concerned her mother as she did not excel in any of them. However, these experiences helped the speaker realize that she didn't need to be a master of one art form. She wanted to be a follower and explore different facets of life. Through her art forms, such as writing, storytelling, acting, painting, and dancing, she discovered her own identity and the joy of self-expression.

Q: What led the speaker to question her fulfillment in life?

Despite her comfortable life, with a good job, a successful career, and a loving husband, the speaker felt that something was missing. She continuously procrastinated fulfilling that missing piece, thinking there was always time in the future. However, this complacency was shattered when she discovered a lump in her left breast, leading to a medical diagnosis that threatened her well-being. This event made her question her purpose and the importance of living in the present moment.

Q: What was the speaker's experience with the surgeries and medical interventions?

After being diagnosed with breast lumps, the speaker underwent surgeries to remove them. However, complications arose after the second surgery, leading to infections and a series of medical interventions to save her life. She experienced physical pain and agony throughout the process, which made her question the answers she sought in life. She also worried about the well-being of her children and who would take care of them if something happened to her.

Q: How did the speaker find strength and support during her difficult times?

The speaker found strength and support from various sources. She saw humanity in the eyes of her oncologist and the caregivers who treated her. However, the ultimate source of strength was her own family, who passed on their resilience and encouragement to her. This unwavering support enabled her to gather the strength to continue fighting and come back to life.

Q: How did the speaker's perspective on life change after her recovery?

After recovering from her health challenges, the speaker became a more sorted person. She refused to chase the hustle of life and instead chose to live each day and each moment at a time. She learned to appreciate the small pleasures in life, such as the rain, stars, flowers, and the touch of loved ones. She let go of the idea of a future and focused on relishing the present moment.

Q: What sacrifices did the speaker make to pursue her passions?

The speaker made sacrifices to pursue her passions, especially in terms of time and attention. She knew that by engaging in multiple art forms, her time and focus would be divided. However, she believed that these sacrifices were worth it because they allowed her to explore different facets of life and find fulfillment in various areas. She accepted the losses and limitations that came with her choices.

Q: How did the speaker find fulfillment in making a positive impact?

Alongside her career and artistic pursuits, the speaker had the opportunity to work with dream brands and raise her voice for gender rights and child rights. She recognized that her impact might not reach a mass audience or make her famous, but she believed that even impacting the lives of one or two people was meaningful. She found fulfillment in contributing to her passion for storytelling and making a difference in the field of HR and the lives of her family.

Q: What lessons did the speaker learn from her journey?

Through her experiences, the speaker learned several valuable lessons. She learned that life is beautiful and should not be solely focused on becoming number one. She realized that the journey, with all its ups, downs, scars, and lessons, is more joyful and beautiful than reaching a destination. She discovered the power of love and the importance of valuing relationships with people, animals, and places. She emphasized the profoundness of simple words like sorry, thank you, and please, and expressed gratitude for benign conditions. Lastly, she embraced her scars as opportunities for growth and found strength in her vulnerabilities.

Takeaways

In her personal story, the speaker highlights the importance of cherishing the beauty of life, embracing the journey, finding love and support, expressing gratitude, and embracing one's scars as opportunities for growth. She urges viewers to live in the present moment and appreciate the small pleasures of life, rather than getting caught up in the chase for success. The speaker's experiences teach us to value and nurture relationships, express gratitude, and find strength in our vulnerabilities.