How to shift the world by living your dreams | Michaela Bakala | TEDxHiltonHead

The American Dream and Personal Experience

• The American dream is a topic of discussion, with a song by the Eurythmics, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," being referenced as a relevant theme (43s).
• The concept of shifting the world and the American dream is explored, questioning whether the world can shift us or if we can shift the world (1m22s).
• A personal story is shared about growing up in a Communist regime, where freedom of travel, study, and speech were restricted, making the speaker feel like a victim of circumstances (1m39s).
• Despite the challenges, the speaker believes that something has changed, allowing them to speak about the American dream and its significance (2m0s).

The Significance of the American Dream

• The speaker asks the audience if they still believe in the American dream, and many respond affirmatively, indicating that it is still an important concept (2m42s).
• The American dream is described as a goal, a life light in the darkness for many people around the world, and an inspiration to resist (3m28s).
• The importance of keeping the American dream alive is emphasized, despite the challenges and worries that come with it (3m50s).

Reasons for Shifting and Personal Struggles

• The reasons for shifting in life are explored, questioning whether it is due to comfort or a desire for change, and highlighting the importance of courage, hard work, and sacrifice (4m18s).
• The speaker shares their personal experience of growing up in fear and struggling to express themselves, emphasizing the value of freedom and the difficulty of gaining it back (4m47s).

Hope, Opportunity, and the Importance of Belief

• The American dream is seen as a symbol of hope and opportunity, not just for individuals but also for countries, and the importance of believing in it and working towards it is emphasized (7m16s).
• There are countries where people don't have to live in fear, and it's essential to protect and share this with others, encouraging them not to give up, as help is available (7m24s).

Personal Story and the Collapse of Czechoslovakia

• The importance of looking to the future with personal experiences and sharing stories is emphasized, using the example of a picture taken in Prague, where the speaker was born in a small city in Czechoslovakia (7m53s).
• Czechoslovakia no longer exists, having split into the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic, with the capital city of Prague being well-known (8m9s).
• The speaker was 18 years old when they saw the system collapsing, marking the end of the Cold War, which was a significant event after World War II (8m19s).

The Cold War and the Victory of the American Dream

• The Cold War was a victory of the American Dream over Russian propaganda, and the speaker grew up behind the Iron Curtain, facing police forces and soldiers, with their parents being scared due to the 20-year occupation by the Russian army (8m51s).
• Despite the fear, there was hope that resisting and shifting the country could lead to living in freedom, following the American Dream (9m22s).

Symbolism of the Statue of Liberty and Personal Dreams

• The speaker believes in the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty, representing freedom, democracy, and responsibility for one's life, and thinks the American Dream should prevail (9m55s).
• At 18, the speaker's American Dream was to become a beauty queen, and they achieved this goal, with their original crown being shown (10m39s).

Journey to the United States and a Shift in Career Path

• After becoming a beauty queen, the speaker's motivation was to travel, and their first trip was to the United States, starting in New York, which was an emotional and motivational experience (11m14s).
• The speaker decided to go back to school instead of pursuing modeling or competing in beauty contests, and was approached to help shift their country and build a new free democracy in Europe (12m20s).
• The speaker ended up in politics, which is an interesting story, and they succeeded without ending up in jail or therapy, although it was a close call (12m55s).

A Shift in Life and Recognizing Madeleine Albright

• The speaker believes that a shift happened, and they recognize one of the women in a picture, Madeleine Albright, a dear friend and fellow Czechoslovakian, who has been a significant figure (13m39s).
• A woman who escaped from communist Czechoslovakia to the United States with her parents became the first female SEC Secretary of State, originating from Prague, and taught valuable lessons about perseverance and believing in one's values (13m59s).

The Aspen Institute and Václav Havel's Legacy

• The Aspen Institute in Central Europe was built together with Vatslav Havel, a dear friend and humanist who understood that freedom, wealth, and success come with serious responsibility, and his legacy should lead us to remember those in need (14m37s).
• The importance of leaders with responsibility who can deliver results and stand up for values, not personal benefits, is highlighted as something the world is missing today (16m19s).

The Importance of Responsible Leadership

• The cooperation between the United States and Europe is significant, with the US needing European culture, values, and support, and vice versa (16m48s).
• Europe should not be forgotten, and its culture and values are still relevant today (17m9s).

Cooperation between the US and Europe

• Europe should not be forgotten, and its culture and values are still relevant today (17m9s).

The Importance of European Culture and Values

• A personal example is given of a husband who escaped communist Czechoslovakia, studied at top US schools, and became a millionaire, but decided to pass on his success by supporting education for young students around the world (17m22s).

Personal Example of Success and Supporting Education

• A personal example is given of a husband who escaped communist Czechoslovakia, studied at top US schools, and became a millionaire, but decided to pass on his success by supporting education for young students around the world (17m22s).
• Education is seen as the best solution for the world's challenges, and supporting young students, specifically from Central Europe, is a key part of this effort (17m52s).

Education as a Solution and Supporting Young Students

• Education is seen as the best solution for the world's challenges, and supporting young students, specifically from Central Europe, is a key part of this effort (17m52s).
• The story of Nelson Mandela and the shift from apartheid to democracy in South Africa is given as an example of a significant shift in the world that should not be forgotten (18m14s).

Nelson Mandela and the Shift in South Africa

• The story of Nelson Mandela and the shift from apartheid to democracy in South Africa is given as an example of a significant shift in the world that should not be forgotten (18m14s).
• The South African new constitution, which legally protects female gender rights, people of color, and people of religion, is highlighted as an inspiration for other countries, including the US (18m50s).

The South African Constitution and Inspiration for Other Countries

• The South African new constitution, which legally protects female gender rights, people of color, and people of religion, is highlighted as an inspiration for other countries, including the US (18m50s).
• Courage and positive stories, such as that of a strong female woman who stood up for her rights in Iran, should be remembered and shared (19m23s).

Courage, Positive Stories, and Global Responsibility

• Courage and positive stories, such as that of a strong female woman who stood up for her rights in Iran, should be remembered and shared (19m23s).
• It is crucial to acknowledge that the well-being of others is also in our hands, and we should follow their stories and not turn a blind eye to the rest of the world, as the idea that "only America Matters" is not the right way (19m45s).

The Importance of the American Dream and Global Awareness

• It is crucial to acknowledge that the well-being of others is also in our hands, and we should follow their stories and not turn a blind eye to the rest of the world, as the idea that "only America Matters" is not the right way (19m45s).
• The world needs the American dream to be alive, and it is essential to believe in it, explain it, protect it, and share it (20m7s).

Courage, Change, and the Responsibility of Freedom

• Courage is necessary to shift and make a change, and it is also important to remember that freedom comes with responsibility (20m31s).
• Freedom of speech is a fundamental right, but it should be exercised responsibly, and individuals should avoid sharing lies and misinformation (20m48s).

Freedom of Speech and Responsible Sharing of Information

• Freedom of speech is a fundamental right, but it should be exercised responsibly, and individuals should avoid sharing lies and misinformation (20m48s).
• It is essential to protect facts, science, and truth, and the key to achieving this is through education, which requires a long-term investment (21m3s).