Distinctive by nature: Why nature makes us better | Darren Virassammy | TEDxRoseville
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 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
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.
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.
his reflection on how a simple laugh changed his life is such a powerful reminder to cherish the small moments and truly live in the present.
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
The analogy of the beehive and business scaling was brilliant. It’s amazing how much we can learn from observing nature.
The story about Kiras laugh was really sweet and all but when he said it was more about realizing all the potential she had that was so profound, that really clicked for me as well. It must be so surreal to see your child as like a blank canvas that you're responsible for
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
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.
It's fascinating that spending time outdoors is being prescribed by doctors. I didn’t realize nature could be so effective in improving our health.
His point about nature helping us unlock hidden talents was inspiring. It makes me want to spend more time outdoors to discover new skills.
"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 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.
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.
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.
The idea that we are influenced by the places we spend the most time in was a fresh perspective. It made me rethink my own environment and its impact on my life.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
This talks makes me hopeful... it seems like more and more people are seeing the value in nature again and coming up with all kinds of ways to protect and appreciate it. That's pretty special
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'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.
His insights about nature and creativity are spot on. My best ideas often come during a walk in the park.
I’ve always felt a sense of calm after being in nature, it's really cool to hear there's actual science to explaing why!
Loved the quote about changing the way you look at things. It's making me think a lot about my own perspective.
Moving to Barbados as a family to reconnect with nature? That's a bold and beautiful choice.
Thanks for checking out the talk. That is definitely not the only way, but we definitely have the power to flip our script by asking...Is the script we are following our own?
this talk certainly reinforced my belief that spending time outside clears my mind and boosts my mental clarity!
I agree with what he says about nature being therapy for our minds. I have a lot of trouble calming and quietening my brain and that time in nature is crucial, like I notice a difference if it's been more than a couple weeks without a hike or a day at the beach
Hearing about the benefits of nature on children’s health was fascinating. Really speaks to the importance of getting kids outside and letting them experience the natural world. Definitely something I want to prioritize once I have my own little family 💜
This talk made a lot of great points about how nature can enhance our creativity and skills! Glad to have come across it.
An animal tracker's lessons in business? Genius! Nature's wisdom can unlock the potential for distinctive success.
Absolutely! Time in Nature is powerful!
Pattern recognition is a proven thing that humans love to do and so much of nature is patterns... it's like we were made for each other.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Parenthood has a way of making us rekindle that belief in potential. I was so surprised when my son was a kid how his interests were so similar to mine when I was his age and encouraging him to develop and explore those hobbies also made me revisit some of them too. Was a pretty beautiful experience
This is great content! Nature should be for everyone. Wish we had more green spaces built in to neighbourhoods for people to enjoy everyday
The concept of slowing down to actually speed up in life seems counterintuitive but insightful... Maybe adopting nature’s pace is exactly what we need in our fast-paced world.
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!
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!
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 appreciate Darren's perspective on nature's impact on our lives, but let's not forget that nature can also be harsh and unforgiving. It's not always the idyllic paradise we envision.
100% agree. In fact the harshness and unforgiving nature of nature can be part of its great teachings. The harshness of it just is, and its raw power and destruction can sometimes put our own situations or experiences into a very different perspective. Animal tracking in it of itself can be harsh and unforgiving. Animals learn to track other animals for the sake of hunting, and humans have learned to track animals for the sake of hunting. Even in the beautiful turquoise waters of a paradise, a quick plunge in shows an environment of survival. Your reminder to viewers of this is critical to taking in nature in all of its forms. I have personally found that even seeing a barracuda strike prey rapidly under the sea was powerfully impactful on my life perspective. Thanks for checking out the talk and sharing.
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 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!!
It doesn't even have to be like a full on immersion either, just getting some fresh air and sunshine every day is hugely beneficial.
I think I spent 10 years avoiding outside and despite not being hugely successful since I started sitting in the sun, I can say that I am a lot more understanding and content in what I do have, instead of resenting the sun.
YES! That is spot on. Thank you for checking out the talk!
@@ElegantEyethanks for sharing that perspective and checking out the talk.
@@ElegantEye This is so weird what would you resent the sun for?
@@FollowedFriends 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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!
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!
slowing down and simplifying. the essence of being present doesn't require a major life change.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Nature does have a way of making us better, more present, and distinctive. It's a natural remedy.
Yes to that! Thank you for checking the talk out.
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
Definitely admire the bravery to just up and move to Barbados. It's such a beautiful part of the world, definitely where I would go for some full time nature appreciation
Moving to Barbados to be more in touch with nature? That's a bold step towards a better and more present life.
Yes, but clearly rewarding! I'm pretty jealous tbh
Thanks for checking out the talk. My good friend Joseph McClendon III always says fortune favors the bold. It was definitely bold and took some time planning to make that a reality, but it was a great decision. The decision towards a better and more present life was definitely made before the Barbados move. Barbados was the result of that shift.
This really speaks to the power of mindfulness. It can do wonders in terms of helping us be our true selves and achieve things in a way that aligns with that true self.
The correlation between spending time in nature and reducing stress makes sense. Our brains are wired to respond positively to natural environments.
Yes, there's also just a much nicer atmosphere outdoors
💯 %! Thank you for checking out the talk.
@@williamsmythe yes to that! Thanks for checking out the talk.
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!
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!
Nature deficit disorder is real, and your story highlights the importance of spending time in the great outdoors.
Thank you so much for checking out the talk! I really appreciate it and am happy it resonated.
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.
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!
Nature is indeed a remarkable teacher!
Absolutely incredible teacher! Thank you for checking the talk out.
It's incredible how just changing your perspective can lead to profound change.
100%. thanks for checking out the talk!
Absolutely, but it makes a lot of sense. You start to see things in a different way so you're responding to things differently and then soon enough different things start happening to you!
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.
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'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.
Absolutely Darren, when you change how you view something, the thing you're viewing changes.
Thank you!
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. ❤
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!!
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.
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'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!
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!
So much of this talk speaks to how urgently we need to re-establish our bond with nature, I hope people are paying attention
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.
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!
Yeah I think it's pretty obvious that if you went from having a nature deficit to being fully immersed in it, there'd be some kind of lasting psychological impact
I'm feeling inspired to make nature a habit in my life, just like those remarkable individuals.
That is fantastic to hear! Thanks for checking out the talk! I wish you nature!
@@virassammydarren "I wish you nature" is a very cute blessing
@@shirleytross thank you!
It's cool to think about spending time in nature as a habit!
No, thank you good man!@@virassammydarren
Yes, checking those boxes is a dangerous trap.
Absolutely! it is a trap that many seem to be conditioned to just do.
I agree with Darren that nature can provide us with a sense of peace and connection. Whether it's watching a sunset, listening to the sounds of a forest, or feeling the sand between our toes, nature has a way of grounding us and reminding us of the beauty of the world
This is true and all but I think looking inwards while we're experiencing this kind of peace can be so much more beneficial.
Glad this resonated so much! Thanks for checking it out!
@@silviapalagiI agree totally that looking inward is part of the path. Nature can help create an environment that allows us to go much deeper inward. Nature heals to unleash more of who we already are when we allow it to.
Darren, your journey from a job you detested to co-founding a successful company is so inspiring and to think nature played a pivotal role in your transformation is just so beautiful ❤
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you checking the comment out and hope that the story of time in nature can be beneficial for you. I wish you nature!
Yeah it really sounds like a magic moment!
There is nothing more beautiful and healing than nature. I was having a terrible time a few years back where I was just so lost and confused within myself. I went to stay with a friend who lived near the ocean for a few months and just waking up with the sun and looking at the ocean every day calmed me in a way I can't explain, like it legit transformed my whole mindset.
Thanks for sharing that story Evie. Nature definitely can transform us in ways that nothing else can.
This is a really beautiful story
@@elviragabriele Yes!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The pain of change vs the pain of regret is a really poignant thing to think about. Hoping I remember it next time I'm present enough to notice where my life needs improving.
Thanks for checking out the talk. I am glad that resonated with you…it definitely has been a powerful guide in life decisions.
Yesss this talk is brilliant! I think the lack of time spent in nature really appreciating it over the last few generations is what has led us to this current situation. If we don't appreciate something we stop respecting it, if we stop respecting it how can we care for it?
Great insights! Thanks for sharing and thank you for checking out the talk!