How to love and be loved | Billy Ward | TEDxFoggyBottom

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Published 2014-04-02
Through a story of one of his students, Billy shows the importance of loving others and of being loved.

Billy Ward is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and has been practicing in for the past 13 years in the New York City Suburbs of New Jersey. In addition to having a private practice, he has also been counseling students at Seton Hall Prep High School since 1998. Currently he is the director of retreats for the school and also teaches a senior course for Human Development and Theology. Billy's approach to teaching centers on the development of mind, body and spirit. His personal philosophy is LOVE and Be LOVED.
Billy is a graduate from Georgetown University where he studied Psychology. He was also the quarterback of the football team for four years. He had a short stint with the Baltimore Ravens in 1999, which was a great experience and personal achievement. He continues to credit his athletic experiences with helping him to understand the mind-body connection and the ability to set a life goal with great determination and tenacity. After leaving Baltimore he continued his study of psychology at Seton Hall University where he attained his Masters Degree and Post Masters Degree.
Billy is married to his soul mate and best friend Lia. They have two sons, two-year-old JD and 5 month old Casey. The family is completed by their Golden Retriever, Grover Ward.

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All Comments (21)
  • The lesson that I've learned in my life is "Become the light instead of searching for it, and you'll see the light reflected in everyone you shine on."
  • When he said to picture the sun, the first thing that popped into my head was the sun baby from the teletubbies
  • @jkbc
    I would picture my Mom for the Unconditional Love she has provided me. I lost her 2 months ago and I missed her dearly.
  • @tomng92
    i like this line at 9:13 "the toughest guy in the room is not the football guy. It's the loving guy."
  • @splashcat3090
    Loving everyone unconditionally can be a wonderful life as long as one doesn't confuse unconditional love with unconditional trust. 
  • @emmiesylvester9069
    My sister sent me this link, and told me that I'm her lighthouse. I'm watching this and genuinely bawling because I could not think of a greater compliment. That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever told me and I'm so honored she sees me that way 😭😭😭😭😭🥰🥰🥰
  • @lovemecom3832
    The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and to be loved in return. Love yourself before others. If you love yourself everything go into place.
  • @TaxEvasi0n
    This made me realise my girlfriend is the sun, she is the lighthouse, and she is the discoball. She loves me unconditionally, and I'm going to be the same for her. I'm going to be her sun, her lighthouse, her discoball. And love her unconditionally.
  • @luke304
    I hope everyone has a positive day once you read this
  • @tekkel06
    Something that life taught me, is that we should love everyone without expecting anything in return. Because if you show love to a person that don't like herself, that person might begin to regain trust in herself, and become free to express her love back
  • @swinxfee
    That sad moment when you couldn't think of a person who unconditionally loves you when imagining the sun...
  • @lulabella9249
    Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, "You owe Me" Look what happens with a love like that, It lights up the Whole Sky ~Hafiz~ Persian Poet:)
  • @lasgav16
    Thank you. Your talk inspired me to call my daughter who I've been mad at and haven't spoken to for about a month. We have no time to waste, only time to love and be happy.
  • @radioisayah
    The toughest guy is the love . Swear I been insecure my entire life . No ones the blame it just happened & I never knew it was me . I'm upset cause I didn't love harder but I most definitely will today. I'm sick of anger I'm tired of feeling unloved , I need it I crave it .
  • @isaac2560
    Last week I made the biggest mistake of my life as a 23 year old. I broke up with my girl, my sun, my lighthouse, my disco ball because I was scared of a serious relationship. The past few days have been painful and I’m grieving deeply but I’ve also learned so much about love and how I’ve done it the wrong way. I’m willing to love unconditionally, the way she needs and deserves and no the ways I want. I’m getting her back, I’ll give her my sincerest love
  • @ledzelda9
    I was fortunate enough to go to the high school that Billy works at and hear him give this talk in person. He's honestly one of the most sincere and approachable people I've ever met. I was so glad when I found out this was online. This talk really speaks to a lot of people.
  • @Nanancay
    I feel like I'm kind of at this level of loving - but I just want to give everyone some 'advice'  When you look at someone that wears too much makeup or someone that seems like a bitch, or when they seem unsociable - don't immediately cast away the idea of talking to them. There are a LOT of people that I 'vowed' not to talk to and I began to talk to them when we were put in the same class. They're good people. There are some people that seem quite dark from a distance, but when you get close to them they're really nice people. Just don't turn away anyone, because they could end up being a good friend. Forget about these social classes in school or in general and talk to them like you intend to become their friend, and they will become yours.
  • @paris8780
    love is love. I truly believe, every person we meet in our lives, we didn't meet them simply by chance, we met them cause they serve a purpose either to guide us, love us, hurt us or to teach us a lesson. Daniel had a purpose and the purpose was to make this speaker the man he is today. RIP Daniel.
  • "once you begin to open yourself to love you will begin to see it everywhere" 👌