Living the dream | Praya Nataya Lundberg | TEDxYouth@NIST

Summary

In this heartfelt speech, Praya Lundberg, a Thai actress and model, shares her personal journey of balancing a demanding career with education, the challenges she faced, and the lessons learned. Reflecting on her early years in school and the pressures of her career, she emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, gratitude, and pursuing meaningful work. She highlights the value of compassion, giving back to the community, and finding purpose in life. Inspired by her experiences, Lundberg encourages others to use their voice for positive change and to approach life with kindness and purpose.

Takeaways

• 😊 Praya Lundberg introduces herself as an actress and model in Thailand, often facing judgment when mentioning her profession, especially abroad.
• 😅 She shares her nervousness in introducing herself due to the mixed reactions she receives.
• 🎓 Praya reflects on her unique experience at NIST, appreciating the multinational, multicultural education she received.
• 👧 She started acting and modeling at age 14, balancing school with a demanding career, which led to feelings of loneliness but also taught her strong self-discipline.
• 🎬 She emphasizes the responsibilities of her job, explaining that showing up is essential, regardless of her health, due to the high stakes involved.
• 🙏 Praya shares a life-changing experience visiting a Buddhist temple, where her interaction with an AIDS patient shifted her perspective on life, teaching her the importance of gratitude and giving back.
• 💭 She urges others to find meaning and positivity in what they do, even in challenging situations like studying for exams.
• 💖 Praya advocates for kindness and compassion, reminding others that life is about learning from mistakes and improving.
• 📚 She references the book *Tuesdays with Morrie*, highlighting the idea that life’s true meaning comes from loving others, giving to the community, and finding purpose.
• 🎤 Praya concludes by encouraging everyone to find their voice, use it for good, and approach life with kindness and gentleness, aiming to make a positive impact in the world.

Q & A

Who is the speaker, and what is her occupation?

The speaker is Praya Lundberg, an actress and model from Thailand.

What challenges does Praya face when introducing her occupation to others?

Praya feels nervous introducing her occupation because people often react with skepticism or dismissiveness, especially when they are unfamiliar with her work.

What is unique about Praya’s educational experience at NIST?

Praya emphasizes that NIST offers a quality, multinational, and multicultural education, which she believes is rare and valuable. This exposure helped her embrace and grow from global diversity.

At what age did Praya start her career in acting and modeling?

Praya started her acting and modeling career at the age of 14, when she was in year 8.

What was Praya’s typical routine during high school while balancing her career and education?

Praya’s day involved waking up at 6 a.m., attending school, and then heading to film sets to work long hours, even on weekends and school holidays.

How did Praya's experience in high school affect her emotionally?

Praya felt stressed and lonely during high school because she couldn't experience the freedom of making mistakes like her peers. However, she later appreciated how her experiences taught her discipline.

What realization did Praya have after visiting a Buddhist temple in Lopburi?

Praya realized that life is more than just chasing success and money. Her interaction with a terminally ill patient made her reflect on the importance of giving back to the community and appreciating life's simple blessings.

What lesson does Praya share from the book 'Tuesdays with Morrie'?

Praya shares that many people live meaningless lives because they chase the wrong things. True meaning comes from devoting oneself to loving others, contributing to the community, and finding purpose.

How does Praya view the power of having a voice as an actress?

Praya believes that having a voice through her work as an actress allows her to share her thoughts, visions, and passions. She hopes to use her voice to make a positive impact in the world.

What advice does Praya give to the audience about finding their voice?

Praya encourages the audience to find their voice and use it to be powerful, kind, and gentle. She stresses the importance of using one’s voice with the intent to listen and to make a positive change in the world.