This is my dear friend Ingrid Poulson, doing TEDx last month. If you live in Australia, you might know Ingrid because of her story. It is a doozy. But Ingrid is so much more than just the well-known part of her story.
I knew her before her story became a Story, when she was a shy and funny and deeply average teenager like the rest of us. We sang a cappella big-band tunes together with our friends. We told silly stories and wrote them down. Ingrid had a big brother with beautiful eyes and a big sister who was soooo glamorous. Ingrid had a chicken that lived on the shed roof and crowed like a rooster.
Today I am still honoured to have Ingrid as my friend, and to know the kind and funny and brave and loving woman that she is, well beyond any story.
She said on her website that when she was invited to talk at TEDx, “I wanted to tell the story just one more time and that was it. Have it filmed and out there for people to check out and then react in their own time and space.”
The next 16 minutes are Ingrid’s gift to you. They are her lessons, learned in the hardest possible of ways, on how to RISE (that’s an acronym, you’ll learn) through and above anything that life throws at you.
I remember reading in Ingrid’s amazing book Rise, that she draws a big distinction between strength and resilience. When Ingrid lost everything, people would tell her “You’re so strong. You’re the strongest person I know.” And for Ingrid that became a pressure: she felt she couldn’t call on those people on the days she was truly at her lowest, because she would lose the title of Strong, and society places such value on strength. Instead, Ingrid teaches resilience. Resilience lets you hit the lowest of the lows, and that’s OK, but you do survive and, in time, you overcome. I highly recommend Rise: it is positive and potentially life-changing.
In the meantime, watch this. Go on! You’ll thank me (and Ingrid).
ps. If you’d like to learn from Ingrid in person, get along to this workshop at The Happiness Institute on 15 June
I can’t wait to watch the video, Naomi. Sounds so inspiring. You’ve written an inspiring intro for your friend. (Waiting for an ‘interruption free’ 16 minutes today). x
Deb @ Bright and Precious recently posted…Radiance
I hope you enjoy it Deb. Ingrid’s life lessons are great for every circumstance. Hopefully never the worst!
Her story is so epic and influential. I remember reading about it last year, then my husband went to TEDx Byron Bay, where she spoke. I am glad she has the strength the speak out about such horrors, and help raise awareness about family violence. What an honour to know her. Zanni
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I’m a little bit scared to watch this… and will do so when the kids are in bed and I can concentrate. I want to make some of my sooky friends watch it too. Her story really puts your own life into perspective.
Don’t worry Kate. The video isn’t about a horrific story. It’s about life skills that we can all use and apply when under stress.
Wow, what a remarkable woman. I was living in the US when it happened so didn’t really know the story, but goodness, hasn’t she just proven how resilient people can be. Can’t wait to read her book.
Thanks for sharing Ingrid’s story, Naomi.x
Brenda recently posted…Life, mothering, growing a business and blogging. Turns out, it’s not the easiest thing to balance.
WOW Naomi, what a poised, sensible and powerful friend you have. I learnt so much simply from watching this single talk. Thank you. And thanks Ingrid.
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What a tremendously inspiring video to watch.. Your gorgeous friend is the epitome of resilience. How she has reacted to tragedy, but has been able to find the positives in life and to teach other how to, really is a gift!
Cant wait to read her book! xxx
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