Thanks Worth Spreading

After the TEDxDetroit conference wrapped up, I cozied into my Focus for the hour-plus drive from Southfield to Lansing. I was actually a little relieved to have driven solo. My journey back to the heart of Michigan served as the perfect window of time to begin the information digestion process.

TEDxDetroit, an independently organized TED event, brought some of the brightest minds and innovative thinkers in Michigan to the metro-Detroit area for one days time. The national and international TED conferences take place once a year and include talks from industry leaders in the fields of technology, entertainment and design (ha! T-E-D). A few of us from Lansing were among the 200 privileged attendees at TEDxDetroit, (thanks Charlie and co.).

Without being able to safely review my notes while driving, the open road enabled me to really think about what latched on to my brain. I found myself deeply searching for a common theme – a thread that carried start to finish.

The trouble was, besides the obvious TED answer of “spreading ideas” and “positive thinking,” I couldn’t come up with anything.

The one thing that I couldn’t stop thinking about was actually a topic the emcee touched on in her last introduction of the day, the topic being community. As I began thinking more deeply about this standout theme, I realized this idea served two important purposes in my experience of the day.

First, my realization is the essence of TED.

TED isn’t about acting on something that’s already been presented or thought or said. But rather, TED is about taking a lot of ideas and applying the inspiration from them to your daily actions — translating the ideas worth spreading into a language that speaks to your passion. One of my greatest passions is our community: its people, its atmosphere, its history, its future. It’s no wonder I couldn’t fixate for any length of time on one presentation and its relationship to another; TED had already inspired me to paint my own (bigger) picture.

Second, the theme of “community” opened my eyes; not only to a place I was literally driving toward, but also a place that drives me to change the world around me.

I’m not going to lie — Detroit is a fantastic city, but after TED, I couldn’t wait to get back to Lansing. As I drove down 496 into the city, I thought about the few dozen Lansingites at TEDxDetroit, and this little, big city we’ve transformed into our community. I thought about the community that motivates us to become innovators, leaders, designers, mountain movers, enterprisers, entrepreneurs … our community is such an inspiration. And we don’t thank it enough.

So, thank you TEDxDetroit. Thank you to the committee for forming. Thank you presenters for being brave and honest in your talks. Thank you to the attendees for spreading your ideas. Thank you Lansing for enabling us to build the richest community I’ve ever been a part of. But most all, thank you Michigan for being a place where dreamers can dream, and doers can do.

The world is watching. Let’s rock it.

If you are new to TED talks I suggest taking the time to watch a few videos. They will leave you inspired. Included is a favorite by Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity, which was also played at TEDxDetroit.  To view more than 500 TED talks visit www.ted.com.