Dish-Houston

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR MARCUS B. CARTER:

 

I don’t think one is ever fully prepared to experience the greatness that is Oprah Winfrey!  When I found out I received tickets to her Houston “Lifeclass” I was overwhelmed with emotions.  Oprah is truly one of the biggest inspirations of my life and to have an opportunity to experience her energy up close was tremendous. I have also been a huge fan of her Lifeclass series, and find them to be some of her most pertinent work in inspiring America.  To my surprise we would be taping 2 shows that Morning.  The first was “The Power of I am ____________” and the second was “Dreaming Big”.  Her expert on stage was none other than Houston’s own Pastor Joel Osteen who helped her frame the topics of each show. 

 

 

The first show “The Power of I Am__________”  was about understanding the power of your words.   It was stated simply` that you are whatever follows “I am ______”.  BRILLIANT!   When you speak phrases like “I am tired” or “I am broke” you are psychologically affirming those conditions.   Osteensays, “Whatever follows “I Am” will come to find you!”   You should replace the negative “I am’s” withpositive affirmations like “I am creative” or “I am surrounded with abundance” and best of all “I am successful”.   Interestingly, Oprahmentioned that women often find it hard to utter the words “I am Beautiful”.    She encouraged women to look at themselves daily, and affirm their beauty with words.  SIMPLY PUT, words have power!  You must be conscious about what you SAY, and specifically WHAT YOU SAY about yourself.   

 

The second show dealt with “Dreaming Big” which hit a bit too close to home for me.  Osteen and Oprahbantered about how holding back from pursuing a dream can be detrimental to your life.  They encouraged viewers not to procrastinate or get comfortable with just an “ordinary” existence. David Otunga, Jennifer Hudson’s fiancé Skyped in to further drive this point home. Otunga, said his Harvard Law degree and the high paying law firm were not enough for his life.  He found himself unhappy withhis career, because he always dreamed of being a professional wrestler. With his mother’s blessing, he abruptly quit his job and pursued a professional wrestling career, stepping out into an unknown existence. This decision yielded him not only great wrestling success, but he has now transitioned into movie roles and wider opportunities as an entertainment personality.  The lesson of this class was to dream boldly, and not to be afraid to pursue your passion.

 

Overall, the experience was truly life changing.  Lately, I have found myself working very hard to be cognizant of the words leaving my mouth, and grappling with avenues to my passions.  I feel honored to have received a 6^throw opportunity to take a class from one of the greatest teachers, Ms. Oprah Winfrey.  I now feel obligated, to pursue my dreams BOLDLY!  Are you willing to change the way you speak about yourself and how you peruse your dreams?  Are you willing to fervently pursue the dreams that you have pushed to the back of your proverbial closet?  If so, I wish you much success on the first steps to an exciting and more fulfilling life.

By DISH Contributor John Canales Gorczynski:

TEDxHouston has for the second year in a row made me more proud to be a Houstonian than any other event. Some of our region’s brightest minds presenting to hundreds of creative, engaged residents will do that. The theme this year was “Where do we go from here?” and rather than give you a blow-by-blow account of each speakers’ presentation, I’ll use this space to share keys lessons learned that might help you go on in your journey.

 

Dr. Roberta Ness, Dean of the University of Texas School of Public Health, was startled by a colleague into researching creativity. In short, creativity is a combination of the inherent skill in the individual and the creative techniques learned. Most importantly, if we want to be creative, we must break the “frames”, or set of cognitive and emotional expectations we use to take in new information and ideas. We can do that by careful observation, changing our point of view, and reversal of the observed.

 

Kurt Podeszwa, Director at Camp For All, made it clear that Selfish Selflessness can change your life. I’ll save his take on what sacrifice is for when the videos are posted, and let you know how he thinks you can get the most out of service. Serve in your strength, serve to learn something new, and serve with an open mind. This former Marine made it clear that he gets way more out of helping every person, regardless of physical or mental ability, to experience camp, than he puts into it. The fulfillment on this guy’s face is enough to convince me to follow his simple three steps.

 

Michael Skelly, President of Clean Line Energy, made it clear that Houston is poised to be the world capital of clean energy as we have been the petroleum revolution. We need to work to make sure our city is welcoming to the people whose passion it is to develop and market these emerging technologies. Draw your own conclusions about how we improve our schools, clean our air and improve cultural opportunities.

 

Will Reed, President and CEO of Technology for All, made it clear that there are three steps to digital inclusion: a device, bandwidth, and the skills to use the technology. Tech for All is doing exciting things in Houston’s under-served communities to bring all three elements of digital necessities to people including the very first wifi network broadcasting on the old analog television frequencies.

 

And finally, the one who I believe will be picked up by the national TED organization to be shared globally, Angela Blanchard, CEO of Neighborhood Centers, Inc. Angela and her team have had success working in some of the regions toughest neighborhoods because they approach communities with new first questions: what works? Who do you rely on? What do you love about where you live? These questions, rather than what’s wrong? How does crime effect you? What the nastiest problem in your neighborhood? Optimism matters. If you anticipate good, you tend to find it.