TEDxTC – Peter Benson – Sparks: How Youth Thrive. — my thanks to Mr. Joseph Byerwalter for this item
Peter L. Benson, president and CEO of Minneapolis-based Search Institute, is one of the world’s leading authorities on positive human development. Dr. Benson is the author or editor of more than a dozen books on child and adolescent development and social change, including, most recently, Sparks: How Parents Can Help Ignite the Hidden Strengths of Teenagers

Some thoughts/notes from this video:

  • Only 1/4 of our youth are on the path to thriving.
  • The human spark/the animating engine involves joy, energy, passion, connection, meaning, hope, direction, purpose, hope.
  • “Spark” is akin to the idea of spirit.
  • Three kinds of sparks:
    1. A skill or talent
    2. A commitment (ex: social justice, stewardship of Earth)
    3. A quality (ex: person of empathy)

Helping, serving, volunteering, learning a subject matter, service to the globe, athletics, and the creative life are key here. The winner is the creative life — art, music, drama, dance!