How These 3 Videos Changed My Whole Perspective On Life
Every once in a great while, we’re lucky enough to find or experience something that changes our whole perspective on life.
Whether it’s an event, a self-development book, an article, an inspiring movie, or a video online, the right message absorbed at just the right time can make a huge impact.
I’ve had a lot of moments like that recently.
They come from all different places. However, video is a medium I consume often and it tends to have a greater impact than a written article in terms of conveying emotion.
Over the past year, three videos in particular have completely changed the way I perceive my life.
Changing your perspectives will not only transform you but also the whole world.
– Ji-Hae Park
Jim Kwik - This is How You Find Your Superpower
Jim Kwik’s story is one that hit me hard.
Growing up as someone who, while not dealing with any sort of learning challenges, questioned my own abilities and had very little belief in myself, Kwik’s story of overcoming challenges related to his cognitive abilities hit home in a way that I didn’t see coming.
I’m not going to lie– I got teary-eyed.
Jim Kwik is a learning expert. After overcoming his own learning disability, surviving a freak brain injury when he was a child, he decided to spend his entire life teaching others how to learn better.
What really struck me about all this is the phrase, and major lesson, he repeats in the video:
It’s not how smart you are. It’s how are you smart?
Are you emotionally intelligent? Are you resourceful? Are you a visionary thinker or a naturally gifted articulator?
We all have our own unique flavor of smart and, once we find it, we can put it to great use.
Rock Thomas - How to Change the Way You See Yourself
Rock Thomas’ video on changing the way you see yourself is another one that got me emotional.
I’ve read countless books and articles on the topic of the inner dialogue and the power of what we say to ourselves. However, hearing Thomas describe his own experience as a child hit home in a different way for me: as a parent.
Particularly, it made me rethink the way I act around the people I love and how that can affect whether they believe in themselves or not.
Rock Thomas’ mentor in the real estate industry was a catalyst that caused Thomas to completely rethink the way he saw himself. With a few simple words, Thomas stopped thinking of himself as worthless, and it sparked a stunning transformation, helping him become a multi-millionaire and successful entrepreneur.
I’ve recently run across several great examples of the power that one person can have on changing the way someone looks at themselves, like Ian Humphrey’s account of how the prison guard who believed in him in the most unlikely of places encouraged him to turn his life around.
Every person you meet offers the opportunity to create positive change. Oftentimes, we have no idea what someone else is going through. For that reason, we need to strive to live more kindly, more compassionately, and believe in one another.
George R. R. Martin - Good and Evil
As a writer, George R.R Martin’s wisdom on the true nature of good and evil, and the opportunity for a storyteller to more accurately depict this was a huge inspiration for me.
But more than that, Martin’s point that real life is much greyer than most fiction stories struck me in my own life as well.
It was a reminder that we’re all imperfect, struggling between right and wrong and that what makes all the difference is our choices when faced with life’s challenges.
Many of us grow up worshipping figureheads of perfection and, when we inevitably compare ourselves to them, we fall flat believing that we’re not worthy because we’ll never attain such perfection.
These comparisons can be poisonous to our self-worth, and holding myself to them is something I’ve been guilty of.
By looking at our idols and understanding them as truly human and flawed as we all are, we can encourage ourselves, find our own worth and appreciate the people we look up to that much more.
Looking to broaden your perspective even further today? Check out our article on the wisdom of Bob Marley.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.