Susan, Talia and Malala

This week I got to know (better) about 3 ladies, 2 of whom just teens (when it comes to amaze-ability age, really, is just a number) and all of whom demonstrated strength of spirit and will in spite of, or perhaps resulting from, finding themselves in situations that... "went against the grain", to put it far too mildly (but words escape me). They've reminded me, quite simply (but not really), to keep striving towards becoming the best version of myself and for this I am humbled and grateful.

Susan Cain

I'd been meaning to get to her book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that won't Stop Talking, since well, ever since I heard of its existence I suppose. I placed it in my "bookshelf" of books to read, where it got a bit lost among the many other titles I've stacked up there. Yesterday I watched the Goodreads Q&A video chat session with her, and found her to be really cool. And kind of brilliant.

Susan's Goodreads Q&A session: http://youtu.be/pgwHIC40rTc

Susan's TED Talk: http://youtu.be/c0KYU2j0TM4

I'm finally actually getting down to reading it thanks to this catalyzing event: I had my confirmation work review session during which my introversion was taken issue with (context: this is the 2nd consecutive WR session where it's happened and I've had a grand total of 2 in my long career thus far; so the math isn't looking too good for me right now). "I notice that you sometimes leave early at the end of staff meetings (basically eschewing the 'social' time for mingling over a buffet lunch or some such treat), "people are far less likely to complain about others whom they are friends/friendly with" (referring to certain staff-on-staff complaints recently), "just to let you know, the annual ranking process is like a game where the powers-that-be (i'm paraphrasing here) discuss their officers and rank them against each other, often based on familiarity and knowledge / visibility of their persona (oh and their work performance too I guess -.-), "any ideas on what you're gonna do about it?" That drew a blank and I more or less ended up being apologetic about who I am. Which should never happen I know, but it did.

Talia Castellano

This girl passed away yesterday, at 13 years old. She was a Youtube sensation who loved make up and made one-of-a-kind make up video tutorials which managed to inspire so many others - Talia had been fighting neuroblastoma for 6 years and had recently been diagnosed with pre-leukemia. Few people go their (multiple times longer) entire lives having made a fraction of the impact that she had on the world, with the sheer force of her inner strength, sweet exuberant personality and simple loveability. Ellen said (or tweeted maybe) that Talia "earned her wings today". She completely deserved that honor and I hope she's in a better place now.

Talia on Ellen: http://youtu.be/HHRzs_anIE4

Malala Yousafzai

She'd been shot in the head on her school bus by Taliban gunmen last year and fought for her life in multiple hospitals after. What she'd done to provoke the attack was speak up about the right of education for girls. Last week, Malala celebrated her 16th birthday addressing the UN as part of her campaign for free compulsory education for every child. I thought her speech was moving and inspiring; obviously I cried (as she was beginning her speech, which she did beautifully) and then the camera panned over to presumably her mom? who was tearing too. She's an amazing girl, standing by some of the best timeless and universal principles like mercy and forgiveness, non-violence and stepping up to the mantle of change for a better world,  and with such maturity. I hope I see her on the next issue of TIME.

Malala's UN speech: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23291897