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The Power of Perspective

19 January 2016

Allison watched Dia Draper’s TEDxCharlottesville Talk, The Power of Perspective, and laughed out loud while finding some much needed perspective of her own.

Tags: allison read, allison watched, balance, change, grief, ted

I’ve blogged about several TED Talks that have inspired me. I’ve especially enjoyed the three TEDxCharlottesville events we’ve had in my backyard. In 2013, Denise Stewart taught me how to make progress on an old dream. In 2014, Donald Davis helped me to think about a new way to heal from grief. Last year, Dia Draper’s Talk, The Power of Perspective, helped me to find some much needed perspective of my own.

Have you ever suffered a setback and wondered how on earth you could go on? I have, and stories from people like Dia often help me to find my way back when I’m in a dark place. I’ve known Dia for more than 20 years. We first met at the University of Virginia and learned a lot about diversity work together. She helped me to think about how to help people with their own diversity journeys and especially racial reconciliation although I don’t know if she knew what a mentor she was to me at the time. We then lost touch for a while, but I would hear about her from mutual friends and knew she was both thriving in many ways and struggling with some of life’s hardest stuff.

It was wonderful to learn that Dia would be a speaker at TEDxCharlottesville. I imagined she would tell a great story, and that we’d enjoy reconnecting. However, I wasn’t expecting her Talk to be the one that inspired me the most. There were several other speakers that moved me and taught me new things, but for some reason Dia’s Talk on how our setbacks could be the setups for our comebacks was my favorite.

It could be that I was so moved because I knew Dia once upon a time, but I think her 12 minutes of stage time will speak to anyone who is trying to figure out how to recover from a loss. After a terrible heartbreak, Dia explains that in year one she thought she’d die, in year two she hoped she’d die, and in year three she realized she probably wouldn’t die and needed to figure out how to move on.

As Dia says, “All of us are going into, going through, or coming out of something.” Wherever you may be in that process, I think Dia’s Talk will be a comfort to you, and she’ll make you laugh which is always good medicine.



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Dia Draper
Jan 21, 2016

Ms. Allison, this is so touching and I’m tickled to be the subject of your talented writing and kind words. The TEDx experience was such an honor, challenge and it has been a blessing since then. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I look forward to connecting soon? Skype video date soon?

Allison Partners
Jan 22, 2016

You’re very welcome. Let’s definitely have a skype video date soon!

Laura Van Camp
Feb 16, 2016

Dia, you were my favorite <3
I have your words on my wall:
I can do anything.  I am smart, I am loved, and I can learn.

Allison Partners
Feb 16, 2016

Laura, those affirmations mean a lot to me, too!

 

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