What Makes You Come Alive? | Peter Breinholt | TEDxBYU

You can spend a lifetime trying to find your passion, but what feels like play to you? What is effortless? What makes you come alive? And what happens to the rest of your life when you do those things, even in your spare time? We all have a song. It may not be a hit song and it may not get us on the cover of a magazine, but that’s not why we sing it. We sing it because it makes us come alive. And what the world needs is people who have come alive. Peter Breinholt is one of the best-known songwriters and performers of the last 25 years in the region. His debut record became the best-selling independently released album ever in the state and was described by Salt Lake Magazine, a decade after its release, as "an underground classic on Utah college campuses”. Breinholt continues to sell out shows in many of Utah's great concert halls, and was recently awarded the Utah Governor's Mansion Award for a lifetime of achievement as a songwriter and performing artist. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@nataschaweiss]

20 years from now, his daughter does a TED Talk showing old dad laughing on a ride, now that would be perfect.

[@nonduality7]

haha yes

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Haha, for sure.

[@bradcouper]

oh she is delightful.

[@nataschaweiss]

@@bradcouper agree 100%

[@bradcouper]

@@nataschaweiss of course I am never wrong haha

[@deanrupe]

So as I do, I read comments while listening, and I am reading about your daughter and I hear you talk about hear the laughing. So I scroll up and restart the video and get to the daughter bit and I spit out my drink laughing too. I then rewound it a whole bunch of times to watch her again, now this is a christmas miracle, be it a day late. This is a must watch ted.

[@alexleister]

I was doling the same thing until I read your comment and then went look too, gold its pure gold.

[@deanrupe]

@@alexleister haha

[@agnespuentes]

I loved the simple truth of your talk. And a child’s laughter has twice the energy of a scream. Adults forget to do both. So let’s all listen to Peter. Let’s laugh until we’re screaming and start cheering for each other. Go team!

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Haha, thanks Agnes. "Live furiously and at the top of your lungs" - Ray Bradbury.

[@rickyohe]

Hobbies make you more successful in life, yes, just be sure you’ve chosen something that lights you up, not because dad said you should. Awaken the day, go out play!

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

"Awaken the day, go out and play". Love it.

[@rickyohe]

@@peterbreinholtofficial thanks

[@johnpederson3085]

AMAZING, JUST AMAZING!

[@carolyn-anderson]

Oh I am so glad I found this, what an elegant talk and yes the daughter oh who truth speaks when we aren't polluted by age.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Yeah, I agree. Somewhere along the line we learn to be strategic about what we let people see of our emotions and feelings. But not kids.

[@timmymckinley]

“What the world needs is for people to come alive”. Thanks I needed that permission, it goes against my conditioning that adulting is serious stuff.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Dr. Suess was right, haha.

[@timmymckinley]

@@peterbreinholtofficial thanks for replying, yes cat in the hat stuff

[@johnrowan9033]

yes me too

[@JonMorganMadness]

Great message Pete! Love the use of the video of your daughter.

[@shannonhensley]

Thank you Peter for a very gentle and honest talk, and like everyone else thank you for your daughters role in this too.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

You're welcome Shannon.

[@shannonhensley]

@@peterbreinholtofficial thank you

[@jessiedallen]

Such a good talk.

[@sherrieglewis]

What a beautiful talk, here in the middle of the night unable to sleep this is delivered to me, I am tired but right now I am alive too.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

I hope you were able to get to sleep eventually!

[@annemery885]

What a beautiful and generous talk. And yes like everyone else the daughter is so full of emotion and joy, I suggest that only happens by the grace of her parents style of raising her.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

This one came that way :) But thank you!

[@annemery885]

@@peterbreinholtofficial humility does not hide grace, it shows it off, well done sir.

[@karastoltenberg4924]

Fantastic message! Thank you

[@oscarkluk]

Just like the children we once were, long stretches of play sets the stage for learning. Oh yes, I listened.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

I meant to use the term "accelerated learning" in the talk, but forgot. That's how some social scientists have described what happens to us (not just children) when "lose ourselves" in what we are doing and become completely immersed.

[@gazioktay441]

Good talk, very enjoyable.

[@christopherccooper]

This is one of my favorites, and I will tell you why. Iam getting really tired of TED speakers, moving their arms exactly the same way, pretending to be genuine with facial expressions and nods of the head. It all looks so rehearsed - majority don't look genuine. But this man, wow, he doesnt bulldoze you or wave his arms expecting you to listen to his great points. He shares like a real human, and yes I have read many other comments, if nothing else watch this for his daughter (but watch it all) this is really good.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you Chris.

[@phyllishack]

agree 100% Chris

[@shannonhensley]

yes Chris so true in everything you said.

[@christopherccooper]

@@peterbreinholtofficial Thank you Peter - I saw this when I got back and came back and watched again and laughed again with your daughter

[@brandyocraveiro]

I love this talk, I love his little girl, everyone should watch this and find joy.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

That's very nice of you Brandy.

[@pleaseinspiremetoday]

This is a must, 14 seconds of courage; listen to this and unfreeze yourself.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you.

[@rubyguil4622]

Oh this is such a wonderful talk, this man is so gentle and kind you can see it in him and hear it too.

[@lauratherealdealfinnigan]

This is so good, I read the comments and heard his daughter thing, had to rewind and go see it and watched it so many times. soooo gooood

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thanks Laura.

[@carmellewilde2685]

Love this! Thank you!

[@sorphealove3321]

Oh this is such a good talk, everything about it is good, him his daughter, the message. A must watch.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you Sorphea.

[@sorphealove3321]

@@peterbreinholtofficial 🧡🧡🧡

[@jonaspotrykus]

What a witty and fun ted, so good, worth watching again and again and...

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you Jonas.

[@karenp9105]

I really enjoyed this talk Peter. You are a very inspirational and I am so happy you have find your own way to come alive again.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you Karen.

[@rachelsackett5619]

me too, wonderful talk and wonderful little girl

[@nicopetey]

and me, and reading the comments. Your daughter is amazing

[@davidhanson8232]

I read comments all the time, it's amazing everyone talks about the daughter.

[@sandypogson]

I agree totally

[@robertaherron]

I love these talks that aren't in your face and just allow you to take part in it, this is very good.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thanks Roberta!

[@erynsee1319]

I am so glad I bumped into this in our group. Gold!

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thanks Eryn. Glad you bumped into it too!

[@aliyahrhodes]

I haven't watched a talk this much fun in ages.

[@christy-mercurio]

Thanks for sharing Aliyah

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Yes, thank you Aliyah!

[@aliyahrhodes]

@@peterbreinholtofficial you're welcome Peter, I adore your daughter.

[@samuelygeissler]

very good talk, really very good

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you Samuel.

[@rickygrays]

Man oh man - when your daughter smiles I laughed so hard, not at her but with her. This is so good I really like this

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Haha, it's a real, full smile. Thanks Ricky.

[@agnespuentes]

@@peterbreinholtofficial I laughed so much, I have watched this 5 times now (well the part where she smiles) that is so lovely...

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

@@agnespuentes She's got a smile that's too big for her cheeks sometimes, like in that footage.

[@sidharper]

This is top 5 ted for me.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Oh, man. Thanks.

[@alexleister]

I thought this was going to be all music, but it wasn't. You are a great speaker man, and you quoted Jim Morrison. Wow very very cool

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Haha, yes. A first for a Tedx talk? Here's the full quote: "I'm not denying the I've had a good time these last three or four years and met a lot of interesting people and seen a lot of things in a short space of time that I probably wouldn't have run into in 20 years of living. So I can't say that I regret it. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have gone more for the quiet, undemonstrative little artist plodding away in his own garden trip" (Circus Magazine Interview, Oct. 13, 1970)

[@rickygrays]

@@peterbreinholtofficial agreed man Morrison quotes and all

[@sandralewandowski]

That was absolutely beautiful, thank you and thank your daughter too.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Your'e welcome Sandra. I appreciate that you commented. (I'm not sure my daughter is even aware yet that she's in a Tedtalk, haha).

[@sadiaykor]

Magic magic magic, this is amazing.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you.

[@sadiaykor]

@@peterbreinholtofficial It is, great talk and great daughter.

[@donthegiese]

this might just be one of my all time most loved videos, your daughter is amazing. I think she is so real because she doesn't care what anyone else thinks

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you Don. Yeah, we lose that ability as we grow up. But I think some super conscious people get it back as they grow older.

[@donthegiese]

@@peterbreinholtofficial thanks for writing back man, maybe we need to be kids forever

[@savillecreations8046]

Excellent. Glad I came across this video.

[@charlesaddington]

I took so much from this speech. Thank you

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

You're welcome Charles. Thank you for writing.

[@phyllishack]

Amazing speech, I was touched by your story and examples. And like everyone else your little girl.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you Phyllis.

[@cedrickdroui]

haha this is so good when your daughters reaction changes, I laughed so much, well done sir.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thanks Cedrick.

[@rachelsackett5619]

yes yes yes, she was amazing

[@wandamccauley]

Agree, so agree...

[@georgiarouse]

I know, that was magical. If only we as adults were that willing to give up our bad state.

[@bartcooperstone3695]

no kidding shes awesome

[@michealdrozd]

very good talk, as i got older i found i didnt allow myself to shift like your daughter does. this is a wake up call

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Yeah, I hear you. I have the same thing. My goal is to come full circle a get to be like that again before the end of life. Thanks for your comment!

[@janetpannel]

such a beautiful talk, thank you peter.

[@zacksuchodolska]

I nearly applauded myself, and I'm sitting at my computer on my own. Excellent talk. But you may be good, your daughter is the star

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

I wholeheartedly agree! You can't fake that.

[@zacksuchodolska]

@@peterbreinholtofficial thanks for replying im honored and applauding again :)

[@aaronereid]

Great Great TED, One of my favorite this year

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you Aaron. Glad you commented

[@pierremartinetto]

That was amazing and SO inspiring!

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thank you Pierre!

[@BarlowJacob]

This really touched me. Thank you.

[@alexleister]

Me too

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

@@alexleister Jacob, you've been with us a long time and I appreciate it. And thank you Alex.

[@brewsterdd]

now this is magic, or like a bunch of others said the little girl is magical. But he did a great job reminding me of just being me

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Yes, her moment spoke a thousand words and my job was just to stretch it out to ten minutes. I'm glad you thought it worked.

[@brewsterdd]

@@peterbreinholtofficial thanks you for replying Peter, wonderful talk, saw the message back so I watched again and laughed again with your little girl - cheers

[@sammysmith8384]

1) Cure Cancer (took my Mom) 2) Learn to play the Piano 3) My Mom Thanks good talk

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thanks Sammy. I'm with you on question #1. I lost my Mom to it as well.

[@agnespuentes]

My mom also take singing lessons (haha Sammy maybe we can do a song together) agreed mom

[@pleaseinspiremetoday]

1) Unelect Trump 2) Learn to cook really good 3) MLK

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

@@pleaseinspiremetoday I'm no cook, but the people I know who are really good at it sometimes approach it like a meditation. A break from the rest of life. Time stops.

[@timmymckinley]

My mom too, wow thats a big one with the guys Learn to hit a curveball Mom again too

[@brbapappa]

If I would come alive I'd stop watching motivational videos on KZbin and stop posting and liking inspirational quotes on social media.

[@dR3n5ky]

Key points and questions for fellow viewers: A bird doesnt sing because it has an answer.. it sings because it has a song #1. If you did not have to worry about money and know that you cannot fail, what would you do? #2. If you can pause the rest of the world but you keep operating, what do you do with that time? (your'e all caught up with your daily grind stuff, laundry, sleep, reading..) #3. What do you think about when nothing else is competing for your attention?

[@rogerbisby6934]

#1 Be a better man #2 Give everyone something that would give them peace #3 I don't think I just am

[@stellahellwig7496]

#1 feed the hungry #2 learn new languages #3 love

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

@@rogerbisby6934 Thanks Roger.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

@@stellahellwig7496 Yes, it's an attachment to that ticking clock that prevents me, personally, from stopping and helping people more often, or learning something like a new language. When I manage to forget about time, I relax. And strangely enough, I often accomplish more.

[@nataliapaiva5427]

Saludos desde Santiago de Chile Familia Paiva

[@samanthaabadi]

Spoiler alert - okay you all kept reading couldn't stop yourself. But something amazing is in this and it doesn't take long to see it.

[@suebakernottly]

haha, yes true

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Haha

[@Scoutersforlife]

For my husband, it's photography.

[@artcornish3520]

Oh I do like this talk, and yeah I read so many comments, and yeah your daughter is a major hilight and yeah I get it.

[@peterbreinholtofficial]

Thanks Art.

[@artcornish3520]

@@peterbreinholtofficial oh man you are good

[@princeprem6820]

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