09 Sep The Power of Gratitude: A TEDx talk by Dr. Allyson Jule
September 9, 2025 | We are often advised to focus on gratitude in our daily lives—accentuate the positive, let go of the negative. However, are we missing some of the depth and texture of the human experience if we gloss over life’s challenges?
Dr. Allyson Jule, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Community, and Human Development, addressed just this question in her recent TEDxAbbotsford Talk. Allyson notes that we are often more aware of barriers we face, or the headwinds, than the benefits we receive, or the tailwinds. By paying more attention to the tailwinds, we can accentuate feelings of happiness—in other words, being grateful. But we need to do so with discernment. Gratitude must be realistic and honest in order to bolster our resilience and optimism.
Through a series of life stories, Allyson reflects on the value of cultivating gratitude for our lives as they really are.
