TED Memory Gallery

Dana - Steve, age 36:

After a century bike ride in Tucson, we headed to Sedona. We decided we were renting a Jeep to go rock crawling instead of joining the pink Jeep tour. And wow, our tour was so much better sliding down the staircase and climbing over boulders while carefully maneuvering our jeep.

Jonathan, age 40:

This cherished memory reflects an amalgam of significant experiences in my adulthood; they respresent freedom, mobility, unbridled joy and utter satisfaction.

Tameka, age 30:

My first international trip was to get married in the Dominican Republic. This was a huge life event that turned out to be executed perfectly, even with the rain. All the things that matter were present: God, beauty, love, nature, family, intention, purpose, self-care, relaxation

TC, age 12:

I think of my travels around the world as a teenager. I believe that being able to share a meal with strangers, learning about new culture, it anchors us and who we are.

ff, age 12:

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Jackie, age 31:

My most visceral memory is of a whitewater rafting trip in Alaska in glacial runoff. We pack rafted for days before an almost tragic accident where we capsized and needed to be rescued. It was terrifying but the memory brought me closer to my friend and forged new friendships.

Paula Sima, age 13:

Best times in my life were travelling to new places with friend (old and new) and family experiencing different cultures and enjoying the moments

Carole , age 18:

It was my first time leaving the country and first grownup boyfriend!

Bill, age 53:

Travelling to Barcelona for the first time after hikimg the camino

Silong, age 18:

Adventure is something I've always craved. The moment I walked alone, understanding nature and the people around me, I felt alive. It made me think we are not just living to die, but to live!! It is important for me cuz it made me realize what really is living!!

Mike, age 32:

Trip to japan with my wife

Silong, age 18:

Adventure is something I've always craved. The moment I walked alone, understanding nature and the people around me, I felt alive. It made me think we are not just living to die, but to live!! It is important for me cuz it made me realize what really is living!!

Caity, age 36:

Solo Iceland 2024, scared but survived. Iceland is stunning and everything there can kill you.

Leah, age 28:

A trip to Europe with my husband before we had kids, it was magical! Slow mornings with coffee, and multiple hour long dinners with great wine, food, and company. A memory I hope to never forget.

Victoria, age 19:

This represents my trip to Puerto Rico with my boyfriend this past summer, I felt so adult being on a vacation with someone other than my mother/family for thr first tume. I truly had all the free will in the world.

Carole , age 18:

It was my first time to fly and first time in Paris

Jon, age 49:

Five days backpacking in the Enchantments in the Pacific Northwest was total freedom from technology and immersion into nature. Nothing mattered except exploring the beauty of this world.

Gabriel, age 19:

I spontaneously went to an 8-story garage rooftop at dusk, listening to Beach House (and got kicked out), but it was an amazing sight... I could see the mountains and the city. I think exploring and doing stuff out of the ordinary excites life.

Cooper, age 6:

Kiawah, South Carolina. The cool summer sir, foggy beach, and the way alligators would snap at errant golf balls. The nights were long and i always felt like i was going to discover something amazing.

Brandon, age 36:

Traveling and exploring the grand canyon. The very first trip with my life partner, Trace

Liz, age 50:

Its seeing new places with family.

Braden, age 25:

Exploring the world with friends and family.

Jiklian, age 44:

My daughter, along with three of her best friends and another mother, went to Vegas together as girls. My daughter and I have never had a really close relationship, and when we went on this trip, we both bonded and saw each other in a new light. It was wonderful.

Bré, age 29:

Through travel and exploration i am able to stretch outside my comfort zone and learn new things about myself. Building community and connections everywhere I go.

Michelle, age 37:

Open, free, not time constraints, happiness and joy

Gareth, age 26:

Exploring Australia's food, culture, and scenery with my best friend, who became my wife and forever partner.

Sara, age 19:

It's not that adventureous but it'll have to do

an, age 21:

i'm still young and i'm figuring out my life.

Sarah , age 40:

I went skydiving, and I'll always remember the thrill of jumping out of the airplane and how I felt when I landed safely.

Tlp, age 34:

Exloring Colombia, South America

Kim, age 44:

Cuddling aviana as she slept next to greg and i on our first night in hospital, after her birth. I felt so incredibly calm, ecstatic and so present. Everything was completely enough in these moments. I was so full of pure love.

My first trip to jamaica … I refelct on this memory quite often as it was the first time I had the opportunity to put my passport to use and act out in real time my childhood dream to take on new adventures.

Savannah, age 27:

On a roadtrip through Mexico with my family amd my love, we stopped in Bernal. We stayed in a place on a hillside with colorful homes and a beautiful view. My partner and I watched a sunset and sunrise shimmer over a pool, and cast the land around us in a brilliant orange color.

Living on the beach and love of words

Janie, age 25:

On campus in the center of a flutter of Monarch butterflies

Chris, age 35:

Sitting at the water's edge, listening to the stream as it flowed over the rocks, taking in the smell of the forest, peace in its simplest form.

Sage, age 29:

The momenmt my daughter was born i was overwhelmed with so many emotions of love, overwhelm, gratitude, being proud yet, I needed to remain calm up until that momemeny

Calming presence brings a clear headspace for creativity

Coby, age 12:

As a child, being outside in our yard with grass and clear skies and our two basset hound dogs, without a care in the world.

Theodora, age 18:

Watching the sunset on the beach with my family at the same beach we've gone to my whole life. Such a special summer tradition (:

Agnes, age 6:

Long walks with my grand-father, talking about life.

I feel calm when I am traveling. The images remind me of the feeling of vacation and freedom

Katiana, age 10:

Reminds me of times of travel and growing up.

Coby, age 12:

As a child, being outside in our yard with grass and clear skies and our two basset hound dogs, without a care in the world.

Talking to her on the porch at her house while we waited to go get coffee

Juliette, age 27:

The feeling of my soul awakening. There is a world of connection that transcends words. I met a soulmate. I will cherish him forever.

I feel calm when I am traveling. The images remind me of the feeling of vacation and freedom

Janie, age 25:

On campus in the center of a flutter of Monarch butterflies

Sage, age 29:

The momenmt my daughter was born i was overwhelmed with so many emotions of love, overwhelm, gratitude, being proud yet, I needed to remain calm up until that momemeny

Agnes, age 6:

Long walks with my grand-father, talking about life.

Paul, age 21:

Family and how connection was

Talking to her on the porch at her house while we waited to go get coffee

Savannah, age 27:

On a roadtrip through Mexico with my family amd my love, we stopped in Bernal. We stayed in a place on a hillside with colorful homes and a beautiful view. My partner and I watched a sunset and sunrise shimmer over a pool, and cast the land around us in a brilliant orange color.

Juliette, age 27:

The feeling of my soul awakening. There is a world of connection that transcends words. I met a soulmate. I will cherish him forever.

Calming presence brings a clear headspace for creativity

Being at peace; a feeling that is decreasingly familiar

Katiana, age 10:

Reminds me of times of travel and growing up.

Living on the beach and love of words

My first trip to jamaica … I refelct on this memory quite often as it was the first time I had the opportunity to put my passport to use and act out in real time my childhood dream to take on new adventures.

Being at peace; a feeling that is decreasingly familiar

Geeta, age 29:

Connection with friends laughter adventure

Katie, age 32:

My husband is from Turkiye and we recently gathered all of our family and friends from across the world to celebrate our wedding. Blending our communities (across language barriers) made me want to hold them close and create more memories of community.

Mercy, age 10:

Community is how we build and protect eavh other

Lara, age 31:

Traveled to croatia on a pilgrimmage with my family to honor my grandma and grandpa who passed. My grandma died of alzeimers, but i also remember her red lipstick, vibrant dance and her smile

Miriam, age 29:

My spiritual mastermind group that reminds one another the beauty, humility and magic of being human

The sense of belonging and being part of something bigger than myself was awe inspiring. The love the spark that ignites when we work together for something good.

Jessica, age 20:

These pictures reminds me on some of my favorite moments with my friends and family.

Nishat, age 33:

Spiritual cafes are times of deep reflection, joys and connection- with musical inspiration and meaningful conversations!

Maureen Kagambi, age 33:

Community bring love, connection, good vibes and great moments. Food, fun, friendship and music make community. I have that back home in KENYA with the team I sing with at church and they helped get out of a sad life after the pandemic.

Morgan, age 22:

going to ball games has always been a nostalgic sense of community; driving with friends and family to the beach, sitting at a beer garden in berlin, and going to local farmer's markets makes the world feel like its still on the right course, you know?

Charbel, age 28:

Getting to explore a new city either a cherished friend.

My family was together, celebrating a holiday. There was love, ease, support, a seamless unspoken working together.

Suzanne , age 10:

Summer at Java with family, running around with my cousins, and the adults taking care of things.

Alli, age 25:

The feeling of community is wrapped up in ither peoples stories. Reminders that we are all trying to have some type of connection that leads us through life. There is something so much bigger than just our one individual story but community brings rhem all together

Maria, age 33:

Home gives me security and it makes me connect with my family.

Eric, age 39:

My neighborhood coming tigether to clear out a storm drain during a hurricane

Ｇｏｏｄ　Ｎｅｗｓ　Ｇｒｏｕｐ　ｗｅ　ｄｏ　ｇａｔｈｅｒｉｎｇ，　ｓｈａｈｉｒｎｇ　ｆｏｏｄ，　ｈａｖｅ　ｆｕｎ　ｔｏｇｔｈｅｒ　ａｎｄ　ｒｅｔｒｅａｔ　ｔｏｇｅｔｅｒ

Momements admiring music, nature, and art with my loved ones.

Eugenia, age 33:

I’ve often found myself drawn to third spaces. Places where people gather in one shared space, sharing food, drinks, conversation, ambition and the general sense of together but apart. A mutual respect for the energy that’s cultivated in third spaces.

Gilna, age 24:

I the 1970s I organized women at YWCAs in Durham NC and later in Hampton VA.We addressed issues like problem pregnancy and battered women.The women I worked with were wonderful and the women's shelter we organized has grown.I am proud to have played a leadership role.

Susan, age 38:

Dancing with my family at my wedding. The merging of our families in joy.

Maria, age 33:

The last christmas my family spent with my mom and our friends.

David, age 19:

Everything is better with friends!

Madison, age 19:

It was september of 2022, and i was moving into my dorm room for my first hear of college. I had been there for two days already when my roomate, aaliyah from Spokane walked in and introduced herself. Funny enough, my first words to her were 'this is not your room.'

Audrey, age 10:

All of these memories show people interacting with each other in some way and doing things that people like doing together. I think these are cherished memories because now a days people don't seem to ever get along anymore.

Emma, age 21:

I traveled with an acting troupe to Edinburgh to perform in the Fringe Festival. It was a social justice show with other actors who care as much about equality, love and kindness as i do. We developed lifelong community performing this show together.

Julie, age 58:

I saw a long-awaited concert and my whole family was there to share it.

Danie, age 18:

My dance community supported me and cherished me during my last recital, gave me love, and helped surprise me with my Dad during my final solo. It is hard to word how grateful I am for that moment.

Being with likeminded people im community in a different city feels like home.

Banana, age 20:

Life is best shared with friends in collective flow + action

Lauren, age 16:

Achieving a goal helps me feel confident because its proof that i can domwhat i set my mind to.

Travel amd experiences in the world and also presenting and teaching

Sydney , age 12:

I cherished this memory becuase it made me feel invincible, like I could accomplish anything. It reminded me that anxiety is only an illusion in my head and that my reality is much greater than what I perceive it to be.

Brooke, age 28:

I asserted myself in my friend group and during my travels. I separated my being from others, and acted on my own needs.

Julie, age 44:

We were at an outdoor event, and there was a climbimg wall. I saw that my husband was there about to clumb. I walked over and nexr thing I knew, he said," You're going to do it." nexr thing, the guy put the harness on me, and I began the climb. AND I GOT TO THE TOP! I DID IT WOW!

I travlee to NYC with my best friend. We had always dreamed of going together and spent all of our money to go

Marielle, age 50:

Travelling the world with the love of my life, my husband of 46 years, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer. I never feared being lost. Now I need a new kind of confidence.

Ricardo, age 30:

The confidence of having the nature always with us

Lia, age 19:

Love and patience and lots of joy

Melanie, age 46:

Learning to be a coach/speaker and teach from the stage- taught me that I have something of value to contribute!

Scott, age 19:

Being in the woods with my Dad, honoring the quiet places - no judgement, no agendas - just existing, being, and embracing our shared space.

Alex, age 25:

Mountameering walks with my partner. It always gives my a feelinh of stability and confidence.

Alvin, age 25:

When you have the confidence to take risk…you can reach the stars!

Usha, age 6:

Every weekend as a child we went to the beach. Its where I learned to swim and the place my famil connected

Satya, age 16:

During my childhood, music was always something that came to me naturally - i didn't need to seek approval to create something I knew was beautiful; I just did it without thinking. I played the Sax and brought joy to those who heard the ideas that played out in my head.

Cuando mi papa murio senti vdsderamente ls fe y la soledad y el miedo

I performed routine dances in front of an audience at my showcase and it made me feel good, confident and supported.

Took the love of my life to hawaii

Satya, age 16:

During my childhood, music was always something that came to me naturally - i didn't need to seek approval to create something I knew was beautiful; I just did it without thinking. I played the Sax and brought joy to those who heard the ideas that played out in my head.

I performed routine dances in front of an audience at my showcase and it made me feel good, confident and supported.

April, age 45:

In 2025 I was able to step out of my comfort zone and network on my own

Marielle, age 50:

Travelling the world with the love of my life, my husband of 46 years, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer. I never feared being lost. Now I need a new kind of confidence.

Brooke, age 28:

I asserted myself in my friend group and during my travels. I separated my being from others, and acted on my own needs.

Usha, age 6:

Every weekend as a child we went to the beach. Its where I learned to swim and the place my famil connected

April, age 45:

In 2025 I was able to step out of my comfort zone and network on my own

Jonathan, age 38:

I did 5 minutes of stand up comedy in front of a crowd

Melanie, age 46:

Learning to be a coach/speaker and teach from the stage- taught me that I have something of value to contribute!

I travlee to NYC with my best friend. We had always dreamed of going together and spent all of our money to go

Travel amd experiences in the world and also presenting and teaching

I received a call about my full scholarship to college on my 18th birthday - I called my dad from the restaurant to tell him and it was one of the proudest moments of my life.