TEDx Talk UMiami
- Travis Suit
- Dec 27, 2017
- 2 min read
Last April I had the opportunity to speak at the TEDx UMiami 'Making Waves' event. It was the most intimidating stage I've ever been on in my life. My adrenaline felt piercing while standing anxiously in front of the bright lights, big cameras, stage monitors, projector screens, and audience. For me, the outcome was not perfect, but it was yet another chance to be 'bold in the face of fear' and surrender to life's never ending rollercoaster of vulnerability.
We all make our plans, but these daydreams can lead to unexpected suffering when the results are anything but what we expect. The path of someone living with cystic fibrosis is born into this uncertainty. Uncertain of when and how they'll end up sick, in the hospital, needing a transplant, or facing death.
The path of cystic fibrosis teaches us that transcending suffering to find ways to 'cherish the good days' and 'inspire every breath' are simply reflections of a fractured heart onto the mirrored canvas of life. We steadfastly search for those glinted slivers of hope in the dark, yearning for more of what makes us feel whole again.
Our lives are intertwined into the sacrifices of those who have opened the door for us to grow into more than who we are today and our eyes need only to be open to the beauty that veils itself in pain for our spirits to blossom out of the soil of suffering. Genuine truth and joy is therefore rooted in our ability to heal ourselves and others.
My heart goes out to all the CF families that have struggled through the relentless challenges of emotional, physical, and financial burden; and my heart goes out to all the people in the CF community that have taken their last breath so my daughter Piper can continue taking hers. Their legacy will sustain as warrior spirits of 'grit and grace'.
Much Love,
Travis Suit
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