My philosophy for a happy life | Sam Berns | TEDxMidAtlantic
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Published 2013-12-13
Just before his passing on January 10, 2014, Sam Berns was a Junior at Foxboro High School in Foxboro, Massachusetts, where he achieved highest honors and was a percussion section leader in the high school marching band. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Sam was diagnosed with Progeria, a rare, rapid aging disease, at the age of 2. He is featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Life According to Sam, which premiered on HBO on October 21, 2013, 2 days before his 17th birthday.
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All Comments (21)
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Finding out that he died a month after this speech is so depressing after hearing his dreams.
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The maturity of this guy at 17 is impressive, rest in peace :(
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Is anyone watching in 2024?
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1. Focus on the things you're good at, not on the things you cannot do 2. Surround yourself with the people in your life that you love and want to be around 3. Keep moving forward 4. Never miss a party Thank you so much for your input Sam. You will never be forgotten!
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He died at 17. Yet he lived more than those who have died at 70
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"It's better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way." RIP
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He was more well- adjusted than most of us, and so intelligent! RIP, Sam!
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Seeing this Ted Talk after his death made me realize that he had given this inspiring speech a month before he passed away because of his disease Progeria. Sam stayed positive even with the realization every day could be his last. He was a true fighter, a strong person and I believe we can be as strong as him! Being so strong starts with his philosophy, so let's be happy together for Sam. Do you wanna join me?
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This kid is 17? Jesus. The level of maturity and wisdom he displays is unbelievable. What an inspiration.
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The strongest people are those with the best attitudes in the worst situations. RIP
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We don't choose how we are born, but we choose what kind of people we become. What an amazing person!
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According to the video's description, it's already been just over 10 years since we lost him. It's remarkable that he never let his condition take him over, and he fought proudly. I think pretty much the same way he did, in that you should always give yourself something to look forward to, and just be brave. In his 17 years of life, he truly made an impact. A huge one, at that. Rest easy, Sam. ❤️
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"Its not the years in your life, it's the life in your years" Heard this quote from the band parkway drive in case anyone was wondering
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Rest in paradise, friend.
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Sam is one amazing person. And so must his family be... a child like this had to have "can do" parents who are themselves positive and emotionally healthy. Thank you to Sam's parents. Your son is an inspiration, even after his passing.
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I am equally inspired by Sam and saddened by his passing just a month after this talk. I had no idea his disease was so aggressive that he wouldn't make it to college. He seemed and was so vital. What a spirit. We need millions more Sam's - not with Progeria but with his profound wisdom. Job well done by his parents, family and friends as well. None of us live in a vacuum and all of us should be so lucky as to have lived as full a life as Sam did despite it's seeming sort length.
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Can we talk about how good of a public speaker he was, especially at only 17? I know many adults who not be able to go in front of a crowd and speak with this much confidence.
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''being brave is not meant to be easy''
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Finding out that he died after watching the full video made my heart drop and made the impact of his words tenfold. I feel so much for these beautiful souls who deserve so much more than they got from this world yet gave back everything they had to give and we are still being gifted with such positive impact. Thank you Sam. You may not have lived to become an engineer or a doctor but you are operating a huge influence on people every single day.
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A fantastic orator…for someone so young he has a natural ability to speak publicly whilst being engaging.
