A Pep Talk inspired by Kid President about "Big Moments"

In the now immortal words of Kid President: “The world needs you to stop being boring. Ya, you!”

And I kinda have to admit, I agree with him.

I am not saying you have a poor personality, or are lacking in any sort of character trait. What I am trying to say is that we, as a generation, are bored and lacking motivation.

My theory? I think that we are bored because we are waiting.

It seems to me that everyone in college is waiting for the next Big Moment. The next moment that will thrust them out into the world, into the space that they feel they will actually be able to accomplish things in. First, we start off waiting to turn 18, the age we feel we will actually have control over things (what a joke!). Then we are waiting till we get into a good college, then waiting for the right internship, for graduation, a dream job, marriage... the list is never ending. I have found that there is no concrete list in life of what the Big Moment could be, it just seems like there is always an event people are waiting for, one that is over the horizon out of their reach.

I see a lot of problems with the allure of the Big Moment.

Don't get me wrong, I think looking forward to the future is wonderful. At this time in life, it is something that we should be doing. It is both constructive and proactive. However, the concern with this fixation on the Big Moment is that it is consuming time, energy and emotion. With that consumption, what is left for today?

I believe getting lost in the idea of waiting for the Big Moment takes away from the beauty of seeing that today is, in fact, a Big Moment. Every person you meet, every opportunity you take, everything you do has the power to be a glorious, wonderful, spontaneous Big Moment. While they may seem small and insignificant now, when you look back , you will realize it was not the defined “Big Moments” in your life that shape who you are, or got you to where you wanted to be. It was all the daily Big Moments added together that define where your life is headed.

So, in the true spirit of Kid President, here is my pep talk to you, Western Washington University: You are in college for four years. That is 1,460 days to go and live those Big Moments. My dream is for you to realize the power and transformation that comes with putting a pause on waiting for the future, and going out to seize the moments you are given each day. Put those 1,460 days to good use and make them become 1,460 Big Moments that will shape your life in the greatest way possible.

So stop waiting, get out there and live more Big Moments. I promise that they will show you more creativity, inspiration and happiness. And that is something that the world can use more of.

Best Wishes,

Kayla Swallow

TEDxWWU Intern and WWU Student

"This is life people, you got air coming through your nose, you got a heartbeat. That means it’s time to do something."- Kid President

If you have not already seen Kid President's Pep Talk, prepare yourself for some awesomeness.