TEDxRiversStateUniversity

There is a silence that often precedes action- a moment of deliberation and careful consideration. What do you call that? A pause. Pause By definition, a pause is a temporary stop in action or speech. However, by connotation, that simple word refers to a vast array of things: a process, an object, an emotion, an action and so on. Consider the red indicator on the traffic light- the stop sign or those anticipatory seconds before the penalty shot in a game of soccer. You know, the milliseconds after the referee blows the whistle; before the ball embraces the net (or shuns it entirely)- that deep breath. or that friendly childhood game of “freeze”. It’s beautiful how a single word can evoke a plethora of meanings and at TEDxRiversStateUniversity 2023, we intend to explore PAUSE in its full essence. We will be exploring this theme through the lens of three sub themes: - Reflect - Reconsider - Reward Reflect “Reflect” as a sub theme seeks to appraise the past: our actions and inactions, our mistakes and successes. Everything that got us to where we currently are - as individuals and a collective. Everyone has a past, and in order to fully understand the present you must know the past. We must take a step back and ask ourselves the “why’s”. Why are the systems not working? Why do we act the way we do? Why are we where we currently are and is this truly where we want to be? From the systems that shaped our current state of economy, the institutions of government, our politics, the educational system, health care, down to tech, fashion and lifestyle, we’re questioning everything. Reconsider Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The future depends on what we do in the present”. After answering all the “why’s”, we must then seek out the “how’s”. We need to learn to adopt new methods, think outside the box, break out of the cycle, if we must advance and grow. Reconsider our methodologies and strategize on how to proffer sustainable solutions for the future. Reward Finally, reward. In the midst of the frenzy of living; the constant change and development; the need to keep up with all the trends, we must learn to imbibe the culture of rest- taking a break. Oftentimes we become too fixated on the issues that plague us that we forget to celebrate our wins. Hence, the PAUSE.