Sam Berns, An Old Soul in a Young Boy’s Body
Lessons for a happy life from a dying seventeen-year-old boy with Progeria
Hello everyone. I’m Sam, and I just turned 17.
Sam Berns, a dying boy with Progeria, began his TED Talk with this simple message, teaching the entire world one of the most profound philosophies on resistance, courage, and the will to live.
You may recall Robin Williams’ film “Jack,” about a boy who ages faster than normal due to a type of congenital illness. Well, Sam had the same disease, called “Progeria, AKA Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome” affecting approximately one in every twenty million people worldwide.
During his presentation, Sam explained his three-step philosophy for living a happy life, which now I share with you.
Focus on what you can achieve and not on what you can’t do
“I’m okay with what I ultimately can’t do because there is so much I can do.” — Sam Berns
Instead of allowing your limitations to rule your life, devote your attention to all the activities that you are passionate about. It doesn’t matter if your goals are big or small; what matters is that they make you feel better and improve your life.
Sam explained that instead of being sad about not being able to ride an extreme roller coaster or run a marathon, he chose to do things like scouting, playing music, reading a comic book, or assisting at his favorite team’s games. Nonetheless, look for a different way by making adjustments and moving those obstacles into the “can do” category.
Always keep an open mind when looking for new ways to solve a problem. Remember that just because no one has done it before doesn’t mean it can’t be
Hopefully, you will accomplish all your dreams through a new perspective.
Seek for the company of quality and supporting people
“I’m extremely lucky to have an amazing family, who have always supported me throughout my entire life. And I’m also fortunate to have a really close group of friends at school.” — Sam Berns
We all have times in our lives when we feel overwhelmed by our problems, whether they are at home, school, or work. It is during these times that we are most prone to becoming engrossed in a cycle of thinking about the same things over and over.
This pattern is known as rumination, and it can be harmful to your mental health by exacerbating depression and impairing your ability to think and process emotions.
The simplest way to break this cycle is to surround yourself with a supportive group of family or friends who will listen, cheer, and advise you on how to change your mindset.
A group of friends who share your interests and passions by having fun, joking around, playing music, or simply sitting by your side eating popcorn and watching a movie, is probably what you need.
Find some mentors to help you navigate life and advise you when you have a difficulty or are concerned about something. These people are usually within your reach at home. Don’t dismiss your old man’s advice or your mother’s cheers; they could be the right medicine for you.
Always appreciate and love your family and friends, listen to your mentors, and volunteer in your community because all of these things will have a positive impact on your life, shifting the focus from your problems to the solution.
Always move forward
“I always try to have something to look forward to. Something to strive for to make my life richer.” — Sam Berns
When confronted with a difficult situation, a straightforward attitude is the better solution. The ultimate philosophy should be to live your life in order to always be better, do better, and add value.
Always try to be the better person in a conflict, and never try to take advantage of those who are in a worse situation than you. Leave all ill will and resentment at the door and work toward a win-win situation in which both parties benefit.
Do better; you can deceive the rest of the world many times, but you can never deceive yourself. Overall, no matter how hard your internal dialogue tries to convince you, you’ll always know what’s right or wrong. Do what is better, no matter what the cost.
Always strive to add value to everything you do, whether it’s the simplest task or the most difficult job. Get in the habit of being a giver rather than a taker. Be grateful and cordial, and remember that a simple encouraging word can positively change someone’s life.
Search for something to strive for to make the world a better place. It doesn’t have to be a big deal; small changes can make a big difference in the world. Don’t waste time feeling sorry for yourself. There is no room for happiness when you are full of negative emotions.
Conclusion
“I feel that no matter what I choose to become, I believe that I can change the world. And as I’m striving to change the world, I will be happy.” — Sam Berns
Unfortunately, Sam died on January 10, 2014, just a few weeks after delivering his Ted Talk “My philosophy for a happy life.”
Nonetheless, he graduated from Foxboro High School in Foxboro, Massachusetts with the highest honors, including being a percussion section leader in the high school marching band and also earning the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
In addition, in his brief but inspiring life, he managed to leave an impression on everyone who had the honor of knowing him or listening to his words. He concluded his TED Talk by saying, “Never miss a party if you can help it.”
So, Sam, thank you. We’ll celebrate your life forever.