My year of saying yes to everything | Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes, the titan behind Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder, is responsible for some 70 hours of television per season, and she loves to work. "When I am hard at work, when I am deep in it, there is no other feeling," she says. She has a name for this feeling: The hum. The hum is a drug, the hum is music, the hum is God's whisper in her ear. But what happens when it stops? Is she anything besides the hum? In this moving talk, join Rhimes on a journey through her "year of yes" and find out how she got her hum back.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.
Find closed captions and translated subtitles in many languages at www.ted.com/translate
Follow TED news on Twitter: / tednews
Like TED on Facebook: / ted
Subscribe to our channel: / tedtalksdirector

[@naomii07]

You can see the quality of her writing in the way that she speaks. Incredibly talented.

[@TainaJustoNorth]

yes! what a flow!

[@nicklatty1]

sounds like Olivia Pope's lines

[@Mayaka409]

​@@nicklatty1 not really

[@bitterfusionz]

Listening to this woman is incredible. It's pure poetry. And for those accusing her of arrogance; don't mistake passion and confidence for bragging. It's not a crime to describe how you feel when you're a success.

[@RockeraMJJ]

+bitterfusionz Poetry, indeed.

[@mjennifer142]

Passion mother fuuuckkkaaaas ooooo thanks giiiiirl or boy haha either way.. TAAAAANK YOUUUUUUU!!!!

[@heyheyhey40]

They always accuse excellent black people of arrogance...... nothing new here

[@lauraw1221]

bitterfusionz that’s exactly what I thought, especially the poetry part

[@arsenatodd1155]

bitterfusionz i didn’t hear arrogance at all. I heard deep introspection, wisdom, and a person sure of who they are and ways they know they can improve. Only insecure people will read that as arrogance.

[@MeganDallasMusic]

When she speaks you can hear all her characters speaking.

[@anazuosalihu9712]

I hear Meredith Grey.

[@emielle____6227]

thats exactly what I was thinking

[@hodan605]

+Émielle ____ I was hearing Olivia Pope and Meredith Grey listening to this speech. Wow!

[@corsariocapitao]

+Megan Dallas I hear Olivia Pope!!!

[@MeganDallasMusic]

+Luisa I hear Olivia Pope for sure!!

[@TheCVK01]

its like people aren't used to seeing successful women like her talk about it. unless you totally missed to point, you'd realize this is poetry and you are lucky to hear her insight.

[@TheCVK01]

Yokoasso ok then why did you watch? i didn't ask for your opinion lmao

[@ericnava5019]

CVK

[@lisasommerlad1337]

this really is poetry. yes.

[@XoxGlambertXox]

She speaks so well. She's a true poet. Her words grasps your attention and demands you to listen. Damn, Shonda.

[@pearlthil4560]

+Na Ma Yeah, a poet that uses the same words 50 times in a row because she is addicted to the sound of her own voice.

[@Lifewithoutborders24]

I listened twice. Can't believe it

[@nakiacee15]

Why do I hear Cyrus, Olivia, Poppa Pope, Meredith, Huck, McDreamy, Cristina, Voila, Wess LOL She is all her characters literally. #blackgirlmagic

[@felimekj]

+prettyinme Truly an amazing woman!

[@drudolfo]

so true

[@corsariocapitao]

I'm starting to apply this "say yes to anything you fear" to my life!

[@isabellagreene9456]

+prettyinme You are right!

[@lochlanbell7931]

Titan = gladiator

[@birdlady5166]

She wasn't trying to "flaunt". She was making points. 1st point being that she's not just a writer who sits at home and dreams (to explain why she can't always play with her children). 2nd point being that she is no longer the hum of a titan but the hum of love. Her list of achievements from her resume is the biggest part of herself that solidifies her and yet melts away from her at the end of the speech. She repeats so that you can see how its significance changes. You can feel how much that means to her initially and then it doesn't.. it's almost like music. Crescendo and decrescendo, crescendo and decrescendo... it's very honest. I found her speech to be very poetic. I think it's one of those speeches that you can't quite appreciate to its full potential if you don't listen intuitively, with your heart and ears open.

[@TheNaidaLynn]

Well said!

[@drtharay]

Bird Lady magic

[@finessefine]

🤗Exactly!💯

[@user-hr2ij6sl2r]

Even if she did wanna flaunt...she is probably one the few that should flaunt :)

[@rmaphosa8969]

Reading her book right now, I recommend it to anyone. This woman is amazing, a true role model for all women. What a queen!

[@loren8917]

what is the title?

[@kristallashea2190]

Francine Pombi Year of Yes: how to dance it out, stand in the sun and be your own person

[@rohankhubchandani3694]

Teal'c well to be fair producers of shows have mostly been dominated by white males, so I think that is why they said a role model for women

[@danielabowes3465]

I recommend getting the audiobook, She narrated it herself and it’s awesome!

[@timothy2491]

@Ralph a women been a role model to other women. I dont see a problem with that. Its not sexist. But yes men can learn from her too

[@heyheyhey40]

Wow! She speaks with the same speech patterns as Olivia Pope!

[@ShedrackWorrell]

well she wrote everything Olivia said

[@ScentsandSkin]

Joe T she created Olivia Pope 💁🏽‍♀️

[@drinaramirez6128]

😂 I’m over here thinking she speaking like Bailey

[@IbeCHeckingLOvee]

I thought of Maggie

[@marsha2600]

I thought Meredith Grey

[@StarsAndAngels]

Her book made me change my life. I left my soul crushing job. I said yes to looking, yes to interviews, yes to a better self.'more money more opportunities and better life and better relationships yall say yes!

[@princecruz6619]

her speech is very rhetorically effective. anaphora, symbolism, poetic prose... brilliant

[@cartergomez5390]

You said it perfectly. I am watching this late at night and I am in a flow state, doing all the things I didn't do in the past few weeks and it feels like poetic justice.

[@augusta.5089]

I feel like 99% of the comments on here are from people who have no idea what it's like to be addicted to flow state (aka., the 'hum' she's referring to), or what creative block is like when you're passionate about something, or how personal well-being is connected to gaining a sense of achievement (and how lack of achievement stemming from high expectations can lead to depression). She's not being narcissistic for pointing out her successes, because she's also pointing out her flaws, which is the whole reason she's making the talk in the first place - she's making a point about a type of mindset you can fall into as a workaholic - a mindset that is actually pretty common.

[@ThePrikoki]

+Addewyn Wisdomancer you feel wrong. I am glad that she made it, I just cannot stand repetition

[@Shepsus]

+Addewyn Wisdomancer I could not agree more. I am a very creative person, only currently starting out, but I understand the Hum. Just yesterday I got off work at 5am (I work overnight), went to a breakfast joint and wrote till 11am and wanted to write more, but could not keep my eyes open. I went home, got three hours of sleep, and then started to write again. An actual term of "Hum" is "passion." Passion for the career, project, TV, story, etc. Lots of passion.

[@Shepsus]

+Toxq Jam Her repetition makes me think of those "poetry slam" styles that I am not fond of. But ignoring the repetition, her premise and ideas are really strong in my opinion.

[@laxmiprabhu7202]

Goa news 365

[@laxmiprabhu7202]

Goa new s 365

[@TinkTink311]

It's so crazy when you realize that SHE is Olivia Pope and not Kerry Washington. You just hear her in the way she talks. (And yes, I know she writes her words)

[@neosomaliana]

+Tink D even the way she speaks and stands and her intonation --- so so olivia pope!!

[@axelleamani9025]

+Tink D True!!

[@AaronKLok]

Now that you mentioned this. I really can see Olivia being her, and not a random character.

[@lillythcott]

Yasss couldn't agree more! Also, when she refers to herself as a Titan I just heard gladiator

[@MaggieMagnoli]

+Tink D OH. MY GOD. I was listening and not watching and all I could hear was Olivia!

[@kenyanlolita]

Olivia Pope must truly be a piece of her. The talking style, intonations are uncanny. Kerry Washington must've studied Ms. Shonda quite a bit

[@DonVaillancourt]

+Julie Mberia You substitute Gladiator for Titan and we do have Olivia Pope. Damn! But what does Olivia say instead of The Humm?

[@cheriekihato6331]

+Don Vaillancourt I think she says, or used to say, "the white hat."

[@kenyanlolita]

Don Vaillancourt I think that's exactly it, the white hat

[@highandmightyqueen79]

I agree

[@johnrowland3105]

Had EXACTLY the same experience!!!! Divorced from my former wife. Good, quality time spent with my children became a mess of trying to fit them in to my crazy work schedule. One day as i'm preparing for work. My younger son asked "Dad, why do you keep looking at your watch?" The answer was that i had to make sure they got home before i had to go to work. But i decided to talk to him about it as it was obvious he was disappointed. WOW! Did I learn a thing or two!! Took me a month. To re-organize what was my work life. But i have three fantastic kids and i've been able to watch and guide them through to their mid-twenties And i may not make the money i used to, i may not have the 'buzz' i used to have, working. But i don't regret a second of it!

[@dthtan]

john rowla

[@dorcaskiliswa2359]

True.. When all falls,our children bring out the best of ourselves

[@JIJII420]

Officially my fav ted talk of all time. So relevant. What do you do when the spark just is no longer there?!

[@BLFulle]

+Zindzi You start killing off all the characters.

[@felimekj]

+BLFulle OK that was funny. But to be real. This was such and amazing lecture/speech/lesson whatever u want to call it.

[@maryk.obrien5344]

+felinekj I hear you. I lost my hum, my spark, my self a long time ago. Can't find it. tried many different things. This TED talk helped me understand what was missing. I stopped running, stopped reading, stopped working when my husband and I adopted our girls. I am starting to play again - I am reading a book, taking longer walks, working. I'll get there. I'll find it... Good luck to you.

[@felimekj]

Mary K. O'Brien Good luck to you as well. Thank you : )

[@rabia1180]

+BLFulle hahahaha

[@ShaunJon]

She's so HUMble.

[@AnimalAce]

+Shaun Jon lol, i get it!

[@AaronKLok]

till she start to kill her tv characters, after you beg her not to.😉

[@FatBabyCheeks]

you're so STUpid

[@juicecup2545]

FatBabyCheeks r/wooooosh

[@cgt9912]

Man, she sounds so much like Maggie from Greys. Her characters are so clearly an extension of her brain because she speaks just like them, but her voice sounds soooo much like Maggie

[@AutiDiva8]

OM goodness! I am watching this now and just into it and I'm thinking "Dang! she sounds just like Olivia Pope!" 😎 Shonda Rhimes is an Authentic TITAN Writer 🤗

[@savoystyles4143]

I notice alot of negative comments on here about her having a big ego ..I think it's because alot of people have a problem with black people in general tooting your own horn ..if this was a white CEO talking about all his accomplishments ..everyone would be inspired ..this woman is like most women I have seen that's achieved a certain amount of success ..she's confident and smart also focused ..I would like to see her be a bigger inspiration to the young inner city black girls ..y'all know the ones I mean the ones y'all are so up in arms about ..the ones living of the system ..

[@MOSMASTERING]

+savoy styles No. I listen to talks, I don't watch them (after all, its just somebody standing on stage). And I thought a lot of the same things, I didn't know anything about her appearance.

[@corsariocapitao]

+Tom Walter Yeah, and I think if it was a white CEO guy he would be judged the same way.

[@orjanst1]

+savoy styles I don't have a problem with her ego. Ego is fine, but this talk sounds .... "Written". Like she sat down and wrote it for one of her shows. I realize that all ted-talks are prerehearsed but this one feels different. It's like comparing american and british tv.

[@savoystyles4143]

+Ørjan Steinsvik yeah British TV sucks ... accept for Luther ..I liked Luther ..

[@savoystyles4143]

***** I erased my last post back to you because I didn't see the rest of your post all the way to the end ..I was wrong for jumping to conclusions. ..I have to say its basically a difference in culture ..I don't see this woman as tooting her own horn ..I see it as her really just running down her resume ...also dude I have never seen a wealthy person black or white that was down to earth ..

[@arielpospisil7931]

This felt like an honest look into Olivia Pope's brain. I appreciate Shonda's writing so much, and the way that she projects part of herself into her characters. My inspiration always.

[@adriannaparchment5915]

I came scrolling to find who else thought this came straight from Olivia Pope 😅 I couldn't agree more

[@Xxmilkshake202xX]

Shonda is Meredith Grey and Olivia Pope combined.

[@29kiterunner]

I think she loves Meredith and understands her completely, but she sounds exactly like Olivia. Her voice, her words, her presence. I never realised how much of Olivia she truly is!

[@mellowscorpio]

+Xxmilkshake202xX and miranda bailey

[@dripgoku8829]

And Christina Yang is in there too.

[@lindagitau7886]

Xxmilkshake202xX she's also Miranda Bailey.

[@cityboydanny1758]

She sounds like Maggie but her attitude is yang and pope mixed together with a sprinkle of mer

[@Cwnzl]

More parents need to say 'yes to play' and put down their phones. Great talk, well written! Inspiring lady!!

[@moiaj1928]

Her speech catered to the audience present. TED conferences consists of people who are themselves influential and interesting. Her audience may be workaholics themselves . Driven by said 'hum' she describes. She is reminding them of the need to be present , in the now, and enjoy life.

[@algrina04]

Seriously, this speech is one of the most memorable I have heard !

[@gloriaf6971]

This was a very good speech.There are so many wonderful TED talks. The first one that floored me was the Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Adiche. Brian Stevenson's talk was quite outstanding as well. I don't recall the title.

[@jjl6438]

At 2:30 the audience begins to clap at her TV show figures but Shonda silences them with a wag of her finger 😂😂😂😂

[@LucasRodmo]

So powerful!

[@titatovenoor7415]

Johannes Lelengboto ikr?! thats probably where miranda bailey comes from 😂😂

[@mikatekorikhotso5469]

Pips d2d

[@soliaiga]

😆

[@TL-kt2ye]

Okkkkkkk. 🤣🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@NurseCoffy]

I'm so surprised by all of the people that found her speech to be "narcissistic" or "arrogant". I didn't get that at all. All I saw was a little #blackgirlmagic at work. Oh well, haters gonna hate.

[@mickdooley8994]

You’re a deadset fuckwit if you don’t think 2:08 onwards is a major humblebrag.

[@snaojao8136]

I'm not at all surprised at negativity directed at her....a black woman who knows her worth is threatening to certain types of people. Yet a loser like Trump who lies and brags all day long, no problemo.

[@hairdaypronto3783]

sna ojao ikr

[@TL-kt2ye]

Its because she's black. Smh... they gonna get this #blackgirlmagic

[@Nobody800_]

Right!! Same thing on her book comments on amazon. That’s why I came here to get more insight before I buy the book. I don’t hear arrogance at all. Idk what ppl are talking about

[@WamuyuGatheru]

"just love...thats all it is" !! Her speaking is poetic...a truly creative mind. Great delivery too

[@felimekj]

+Wamuyu Gatheru Yes yes yes!

[@jsong21]

She talks like a writer. She's good tho.

[@alexandracollins6448]

She IS a writer. Of course she talks like one. That's part of the beauty of this speech.

[@FikiNom]

She is THE writer

[@sargecad3t]

She has a real sense of poetry. Her words are very clean and meaningful, none wasted. I haven't ever seen any of her shows but I might try them out now.

[@seattletyler]

none wasted? you must be talking about the use of the word 'hum' 234 times, no?

[@29kiterunner]

I first fell in love with Grey's 10 years ago, then Scandal, then HTGAWM. She's an incredible story teller. You must join the Shonda family!

[@AsifIcarebear3]

Vedika Bahl No show can run for 10 years and stay fresh. The plot is bound to move at a snail's pace.

[@29kiterunner]

+AsifIcarebear3 hahahahaha. That means you've never watched Grey's Anatomy. It's on its 12th season now. And still so damn good.

[@AsifIcarebear3]

Vedika Bahl Exactly, 12 seasons where the plot, by necessity, crawls at a snail's pace. I'm sure you think that the bullshit drama is interesting. That's perfectly fine, and none of my business. However, you can't tell me the plot is going anywhere at a reasonable pace. Getting a new boyfriend or getting cheated on or feeling tired at work is not moving the plot along.

[@Lily-kh8dc]

Honesty for a change, how refreshing:) She's not trying to be something, she knows who she is. Unapologetic and so honest - her humble poetry didn't just inspire me like the other talks I've heard...it moved me. Thank you for not playing small and yet you still managed to show that you're also just human.

[@buraksimsek7264]

I wish she was my mother. What an amazing, intelligent woman.

[@jinzili1893]

your mom will feel sad when you say that

[@an.dr.16561]

***** i see by the -you women- saying.. u gr some issues. boy listen i dont hate man.. i love people..all im saying is ur mother still gave ur life. Be thankfull and respectful and forgive if something was done to u, its better than carryin bitterness and hate around.

[@lewanna5898]

My mother stayed at home, was always there, baking, cooking, singing... I would never trade.

[@kirstenholliday6435]

My mom never played with me when I asked her

[@jasminevaliente96]

Blue kid you dont know what people have been through someone being your mother isn't a good enough reason to be glad they're your mom. Worry about you and your mom.

[@haileyjones1878]

When she said tiny humans I immediately thought of Arizona 😂

[@skiller280476]

exacltlyyyyyyy

[@Kameaux]

Gabrielle Maria it's a character' name, not the state.

[@Lehane90]

And a battleship. ;)

[@theautistic.teacher]

Same

[@jessicaday22]

SAME!!!

[@sarabrzozowski6384]

The way she wags her finger at 2:33 and silences the crowd. Goosebumps.

[@Mina_TaylorsVersion]

I know right?? The sheer power of that wordless gesture!

[@CrownedDiaries]

“All blood, all sweat, no tears” yasss 👏🏾💪🏽👊🏽

[@samushunter0048]

Tears is not always something that is negative.

[@ruffey1748]

"I work a lot, very hard. And I love it." I can't guess who influenced who here but I the spirit of Olivia Pope spoke through her words. That's incredible!

[@LataviaYoung]

she says that she is a piece of all of her characters and that makes my heart smile.

[@killlamas57]

Ra Fie Whenever she gives inspirational words she always sounds like Olivia to me and when she's being edgy and funny she sounds like Cristina Yang from Grey's Anatomy.

[@afekasi79]

This is so spoken word poetry. I love it!

[@gaprocha]

Just finished her book. She has a powerful voice. When I listen to her, I can understand how Meredith, Cristina and Bailey can be so awesome and make those killers speeches. She’s a human titan❤

[@estherchandy6292]

I realise that we can never please everyone and we shouldn't even try. Because everyone has their own lens through which they view the world. What are we fighting against? Who was it who said, "The absence of judgement is the beginning of love".

[@yaojiang2283]

"If the heart of my song ceases to play, can I survive the silence?" This was really eye opening.

[@dragonfish20001]

I LOVE Shonda Rhimes! She's such a talented,inspirational woman!

[@cuttothechasenews]

I did a year of saying yes to all opportunities in 2011. It was after watching the movie Yes Man! It was one of the best years of my life and it also led me to go on a blind date who eventually said yes to be my wife two years later. i also finally did stand up lol. Anyway. I watch the movie Yes Man every new year as tradition because of it lol

[@happysmiles4339]

I see her, I hear her and I wanna be her!

[@AwesomeMan2696]

be YOU

[@fefelove8465]

I wanna be her too, well ,me but her.

[@angiefarhat9602]

She sounds like Maggie but talks like Christina Yang

[@ohsparkles]

omg she DOES sound like maggie!!!

[@sabreawoodberry9227]

@@ohsparkles kinda looks like her too lolmaggie could be her lil sis

[@nehadutta7101]

so very true

[@robertaborga7541]

i was thinking that!!

[@cityboydanny1758]

Exactly what I was thinking

[@ANMbornagain]

“Work does not work without play”. That’s genius and so true! Thank you for that reminder and revelation.👍🏾

[@CareFreeCommuting]

The title should be something more like, "The titan defended by the hum of love." This is amazing though, as a driven type with 6 kiddos I need to remind myself of this everyday.

[@roaya1234]

She deserved a standing ovation. That was really beautiful.

[@TheBryHami]

All people do is complain like who is she supposed to talk about??? The talk is about her success and how she got successful who should she talk about her dog??

[@dendox330]

you missed the point, because the talk ISNT about how she got succesful. the talk, is about although she is successful, how she can still stay happy

[@TheBryHami]

+Dennis van der Kooij I didn't miss the point a lot of other people did.

[@jasminb102]

+BryHami lol

[@estermero5518]

+BryHami haha true

[@TacticalBe]

13:52 She plays with balls.

[@nepetah3130]

Her eyeshadow was on point.

[@chromanin]

Great insights from a rare kind of person. Thanks.

[@Snappldel]

This was a great speech!!! One of my top favorites on TED. I think it has to take a workaholic person like her to understand where she's coming from. I really enjoyed the speech! 👍

[@BeeGees2012]

ok

[@higgy8030]

I love hearing her "brag" on her accomplishments! I makes me feel better about saying "yes! I did this amazing thing" (yes, I assistant stage managed a four week, regional premier, Disney musical in a floor length skirt that is three inches too long for me even in the four inch heels I wore every show. I managed a cast of 36 for four weeks and dealt with over a dozen injuries. No crew. Just the cast. My stage manager was a cast member and was in the dressing room the whole time. I dealt with a creepy actor hitting on me non stop. But I did it! Four weeks non-stop work! I did it!) Girls need to feel like we can say yes, I did this! Thank you! I needed to hear this!

[@annagemesi4418]

I wish there were more women this confident and successful. She’s inspiring

[@jimeca]

I'm 28 years old and I don't know what makes me happy!! I can't imagine what to do all my life and be happy abnout it....

[@bykendrajo]

The Hum is passion for a thing that just happens to be work. So many can't relate to this because they work from a place of being a wager-conformist mentality. The Industrial Age created a mindset change of "doing" because you're great at it, to becoming the "doer" for someone else's vision". Real creatives understand the void of life when you lack the platform to be able to make form of what's in your head. We've unfortunately, as a society begun to look down on creativity as not real work, but play...and thus we challenge her motives. If she were a doctor, there wouldn't be so much backlash...she'd be deemed "called" and revered for being so dedicated to her purpose. I think the fact that she has children and is raising them as a single parent through all of this, is also putting into question her motives for what she does. I am the product of a woman who went to night school & hair school for 17 years and finally earned her degree. I was inspired by that, not neglected!

[@user-eg3zs6oi7c]

everyone has bills to pay. nothing else matters.

[@pastelpolestar1682]

Everybody keeps talking in that condescending tone to the people who work '9 to 5 jobs' but do you know, that you need these people to make visions come true? What purpose does demeaning them serve? These are the ones who make the blueprint a reality. 'Real creatives' know this, and work with everyone to create something big.

[@lisamafuvadze8619]

Am i the only person that can hear Olivia Pope when she is talking??? like her personality is literary Olivia. The passion, the exhilaration, the all trooper lover of her job

[@IOxyrinchus]

This is quite frankly one of the most inspirational talks I’ve ever seen. This woman has rekindled my dream of being a novelist, of creating characters, worlds, storylines, the sky’s the limit. She gave me such a confidence boost. She is living proof that you can achieve your dreams and live them, you just have to believe in yourself and push yourself out your comfort zone. Fantastic

[@naledimoreketla9184]

I love how Shonda gives practical ways to change one's life. "Stop dreaming and start working " as she saysn

[@nimalama534]

“Work doesn’t work without play.” 🔥 Involve in things but don’t be entangled.. operate life thru love and openess. Have goals and Give it your absolute best. Don’t neglect… Sending much love, joy, good health and prosperity to everyone as we lead to New Year. Let’s crush it! 🎊❤️🌱

[@LindaTinahTV]

How has she managed to teach me so many things in a less than 30 minute video. Work, play, attention to my kids. Bless.

[@KDjMusik]

She's such a good writer that her speech sounds like poetry.

[@sadiefaithandersen4934]

I screamed. SHONDA IS THE BEST

[@petewanders3772]

This video left me speechless; I can feel the rush of excitement towards finding my own "hum." Thank you, Rhimes. Thank you.

[@haileyjones1878]

I admire her with all my might. She is just unbelievably good at what he does.

[@pradeepkumar-lr3tt]

"Happy place" - George "Tiny humans" - Arizona Shonda used these words in her speech. All those characters are just in her mind. It's scary and wonderful at the same time

[@mamajenny82]

As a workaholic and a mom Shonda rhimes just made me realize my next goal. I can't stop crying. I am ashamed for I have chosen work over play too many times. My daughter is almost 8. I will practice saying yes. Thank you Shonda ❤

[@pinky_princesspie9675]

Me too, I will play more

[@kareembrooks178]

i felt as though this was a poem and i want to show my mother to see if she relates in any way to this

[@diamondsngunns88]

It absolutely was poetry. That's all I could think as she repeated key phrases, key words, and built upon it as she went. Absolutely beautiful.

[@Theblackbulma]

People are often offended by someone standing in their greatness when they have an issue standing in their own. Stand in your greatness with pride and if you can’t find any greatness within you, you have a task to tend to

[@AmaniRakeia]

She is just that damn good. I need to pick up her book!

[@xxuncexx]

They should make a movie about someone who says yes to everything. Maybe they could star someone like Jim Carey for example. It might be a really interesting movie.

[@svalis1068]

+xxuncexx Actually, there is one. Yesman.

[@slackjawedpenguin3306]

+svali s he's being sarcastic.

[@mynintendobroke]

+Slackjawed Penguin *facetious

[@s1mon8ratt96]

I love that movie

[@H20x3]

How about Ella Enchanted?

[@MrsJonas151]

I don't know why ive never watched this before. This was actual poetry and if you listen closely you could hear every piece of character she had ever made. What a inspirational woman

[@sammiedoxsey8836]

Do u want to kill Derek? Shonda: yes

[@DyannDrew]

she should a been a titan there

[@zana9402]

lmao

[@Frenchyyboo]

Lmao literally the first thing in my mind

[@letsgracethisplace]

Stop!!! That's so sad.

[@Sara-cy8yc]

Sammie Doxsey Lmao

[@Dreweful]

she's a poet.

[@darynaburban5635]

This speech is incredible! Love the energy, the woman herself and everything about her and her speach!

[@abbykl1]

"should we kill off that character?" "yes."

[@happy7akira]

genius lol

[@ArunaKhudan]

consider that that actor wanted to leave!!!

[@yalee7949]

If the song of my heart refuses to play can I survive in the silence?

[@rosegarg3825]

Wonderful talk by Shonda! I teared up a little when she said 'and there was no hum, it just stopped'..or something along those lines. It was inspiring and lovely..and I agree with everything she tried to convey in the most articulate words, and yet at the end of it I came to the conclusion that if she had not gone through phase A, she would have never reached her current state of enjoying more play and less work and the hum that is not consuming her anymore, at least not totally.

[@RichardChappell1]

There is a great message here, and she presents very well. I thoroughly enjoyed it for about 7 minutes, and then it became repetitive repetitive. I felt like she finished her talk but had to fill up another 10 minutes. And it was the background detail that she repeated. She did so eloquently, and I wish I had a portion of her skill at delivery, but it should have been a 10 minute talk and focus more on the topic - which by the title was saying "yes" to everything. Instead it could have been titled "getting my hum back" or how "playing with my daughter helped save my career."

[@troywaller7482]

it was free verse poetry she was repeating verses like the chorus of a song

[@RichardChappell1]

Do you ever notice how songs include some variation to minimize repetitiveness?

[@vasudha1074]

ikr! it was overly repetetive.

[@dafiel-amin4799]

the concept was repetitive, but the hum was different. That was the point, Sir.

[@allegna4ever]

+Dafi El-Amin absolutely agree

[@mzperfection09]

I love this so much! I was a titan with school and work for the past 2 years. After I applied for another job and didnt get it. I realized that overworking myself got me no where. I gave too much and lost part of myself. Now im trying to find myself again.

[@martezanthony]

This is one of the greatest TedTalks I’ve ever seen. A few amazing monologues like from so many of her well written characters. I’m awestruck...

[@sadetucker2094]

Ms. Rhimes is amazing! This was something I definitely needed to see and hear. I'm going to be going to school for creative writing, and I have a daughter who likes to play of course. I felt like Shonda was speaking about me because I'm not always up for playing, but it's all about saying yes. I'm always reminded to separate work from play.

[@Sylocat]

Don't read the comments, don't read the comments... *scrolls down anyway* Why do I keep doing that?

[@KenanVideos]

+Rabbit Cube yeeeaaaaaaahhhh actual thought that before coming across yours

[@EllePlowPlow]

+Rabbit Cube why not read the comments?

[@KenanVideos]

Elle Plow Plow For me it was to avoid a biased opinion towards the video, knowing that many of the comments will be negative

[@EllePlowPlow]

KayNineLP oh ok.

[@highandmightyqueen79]

There was a time where i watched videos without ever reading comments, now i cannot pass with out reading them. Often they are so abusive and negetive and they ruin your mood but i just cannot help curiosity.

[@felimekj]

Wow, that was truly incredible. I needed to here this! I still miss that hum!!! I can't work anymore. That was my hum. I still feel like a bee away from her hive. I have a hard time finding a new way, but I can at least say I'm trying. I have not given up, at least on more days than not. Being creative is what has helped me. I have a long way to go. Thank you so much for this. Thank u for Ms. Rhimes for putting all those feelings into understandable ways! You are an amazing speaker and an amazing woman! Thank for putting this video out into the world!

[@snezray2324]

This made me cry! It’s beautiful , she talks so well. My favourite part- let’s not carried away its love 💕

[@briathomas5310]

Anyone who thought this was only about tooting her own horn... this whole speech went over your head.

[@user-do6gr5ww5e]

Everytime she says hum, I close my eyes and imagine.

[@tanyaflorescom]

Shonda, I admire your hard work and love for your children. As a Titan, I trust that this hum is just an awakening to something better and you using your gift to bring more light in this world. Sending you love!

[@chijioke4997]

I totally enjoyed Shonda's talk. As I watched and listened i was thrilled and then i had to practically hold myself back from interrupting the video because i was eager to share the video with other people. So glad i didnt disrupt the flow and the hum (lol). Everyone who watches this talk will be entertained, motivated and inspired. Good job Shonda

[@zoemrubata2484]

She’s very captivating, I have the hardest time watching anyone speak for more than 5 minutes but I watched through the end. Beautiful gift❤️

[@amidthechaoss]

she is so awe-inspiring 😍😍😍. what a time to be a woman, a black woman... thank you Shonda for being part of the pioneers that show all women, let's not shrink ourselves!❤

[@marionmwongera5036]

Three years later the message is relevant.❤️

[@ckgbryan]

I hear this woman and relate. I love her honesty, her indepth understanding of what she needs and what she is. I love this talk!

[@shelleynoonan1840]

This talk is amazing for so many reasons. If your addiction is work and that is how you get your fix it is not easy to give it up, as much as you love your family, some people live a life feeling torn and scared to adapt.

[@sharllesonantunesaraujo8184]

she doesn't let anybody applause hahaha

[@diana7756]

shes incredible successful. no doubt about that. but shes such a relatable woman!

[@user-uz8nh2zk7n]

+Finn IRELAND +Finn IRELAND +Finn IRELAND I as well felt she over-expressed her tv production accomplishments. But when one looks up the facts: her work is really global. It's aired in 200+ territories in more than 60 languages all year long.

[@diana7756]

+Finn IRELAND three or four shows on air at the same time, grey's for 11seasons or more. i don't know what you are doing, but in my book this is 'incredible successful'!

[@ujmhjklujmhjkl]

Marla Singer n

[@rodzaeries1981]

Oh my God how she explains the feeling. "The Humm. When the Humm stops who are you? Play is the opposite of work. A humm is there, its just love. Real Humm is joy, love, confidence, and peace. The Humm of the universe fills me up. Find what makes you feel good and play in that arena. Give yourself fifteen minutes. Work doesn't work without play." More I play the more I feel the Humm life's Humm. Say yes to less work and more play." Shonda Rhimes. This woman is a writer. Let others who have ears to hear hear. Let us not all die in stress/ anxiety loss of drive/motivation/inspiration.

[@singinwithceline]

Reading Shonda’s words or hearing her speak is incredible

[@29kiterunner]

I just love this woman. She's such an awesome story teller. And you can tell she feels her character's personas so deeply and does whatever she can to visualise their stories.

[@AaronKLok]

I hope she is not killing anyone to write her mindblowing plottwists.

[@emielle____6227]

the first part of the speech I almost stopped after she started listing all her achievements cause I was like, well thats a little bit braggy but after listening to the *whole* talk it all tied in together and she herself recognized how tht way of thinking is pointless. so yeah, this was actually really insightful and I can relate to the working hum vs the love/joy/play hum. nice talk shonda :)

[@NoName-zi8im]

Adore and thank this woman for many hours of joy, happiness and peace in my mind 🎈

[@theoriginaljayz28]

She’s so poetic. She is AHHHH-Mazing!