Have the balls to follow your dreams: Dianna David at TEDxRenfrewCollingwood

Summary

Diana David, a movement storyteller and former mechanical engineer, shares her transformative journey from a traditional upbringing to pursuing her passion for performance art. Using a simple red ball as a symbol, she illustrates how it became her tool for storytelling and connection. Diana emphasizes the importance of embracing one's unique talents, playing, and learning from mistakes. She encourages others to discover their own 'red balls' and follow their dreams, demonstrating that pursuing happiness not only enriches one's life but inspires others as well.

Takeaways

• 🎈 Embrace the power of simple objects: A red ball symbolizes creativity and potential for movement and storytelling.
• 💃 Movement as a form of expression: Diana's passion for dance and movement connects deeply with her storytelling.
• 👩‍🎓 Balancing tradition and personal dreams: Diana grew up in a traditional Filipino family, where success was defined by stable careers.
• 💔 The struggle with conformity: Diana felt pressured to follow a conventional path, leading to feelings of dissatisfaction.
• 🌟 Reconnecting with childhood dreams: Diana reflects on her five-year-old self, realizing the importance of pursuing her true passions.
• 🤡 The transformative journey of clown school: Emphasizes the value of failure and play in discovering one’s unique talents.
• 🎭 Street performing as a platform: Street performance provided Diana with immediate feedback and allowed her to hone her craft.
• 📜 Finding a purpose in storytelling: Diana created a show to teach children the value of being different and embracing individuality.
• 🏆 Acknowledging success in creative pursuits: Receiving a grant validated Diana's decision to pursue her artistic career.
• 💖 The importance of sharing one's story: Diana encourages others to explore their passions, reminding them to find and follow their 'red ball.'

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the transcript, and what is her profession?

The speaker is Diana David, and she identifies as a movement storyteller.

What does Diana use as a metaphor for her journey and personal growth?

Diana uses a red ball as a metaphor, representing simplicity and the potential for creativity and connection.

What traditional upbringing did Diana experience, and how did it influence her career choices?

Diana grew up in a traditional Filipino household where success was defined by obtaining a good education, stable job, and raising a family, leading her to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.

What prompted Diana to leave her engineering job?

Diana felt a persistent itch or discomfort, realizing that she was not meant to analyze heating and ventilation systems for the rest of her life, prompting her to listen to her childhood self.

What unique experience did Diana have while attending clown school?

At clown school, Diana learned the importance of making mistakes and the joy of play, which was challenging for her due to her traditional upbringing where failure was not an option.

How did Diana discover her unique talent in clown school?

Diana was inspired by a street performer juggling with one ball, leading her to envision herself moonwalking with a ball, which became her unique act.

What was the significance of the grant Diana received from the Canada Council for the Arts?

The grant allowed Diana to live her art fully, enabling her to write a story that conveyed an important message to children, focusing on acceptance and celebrating differences.

What was the main message of Diana's performance 'Take a Closer Look'?

The performance aimed to teach kids that it is okay to be different and highlighted the importance of embracing one's unique qualities.

How does Diana define success, based on her journey?

Diana defines success not just by traditional metrics, but by pursuing her passions and inspiring others through her art and storytelling.

What are some tools Diana shares for pursuing happiness and creativity?

Diana emphasizes the importance of playing, practicing, sharing oneself with the world, and persevering in writing one's life story.