You say TEDx, I say amazing

Denver does the first TEDxMileHigh

Just when we thought Denver couldn’t get any better, Annie Parsons and I had the privilege of attending TEDxMileHigh, the first public TEDx event in Denver.

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to ideas worth spreading that started as a four-day conference 26 years ago. TEDx is one of its many initiatives: a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. (Read more on their website.)

“Inspired Citizenship” was the theme of the TEDxMileHigh evening, and I am truly inspired by the citizens and natives of this state. Annie and I live in the company of big thinkers and even bigger doers. Doers like Casey Sheahan, the CEO & President of Patagonia (be still, my outdoor enthusiast heart). Casey spoke about Patagonia’s incredibly successful 1% For The Planet initiative, and their new mission to create every product out of recyclable materials and also make every product recyclable.

Big thinker and doer (and recently elected Colorado Governor), John Hickenlooper, spoke about his gubernatorial campaign and how he was able to win on a positive platform. He also challenged us to volunteer in our schools. He believes that the change needed in our education system — especially given the budget crisis — is going to have to come one resident at a time. Listening to his call-to-action made me proud of Emma’s Donors Choose efforts, but it also made me want to find a way to volunteer at the elementary school two blocks from my house.

From Robyn O’Brien, author of The Unhealthy Truth, to Bernard Amadei, founder of Engineers Without Borders, to Libby Birky, co-founder of SAME Café, the list of people who inspired me goes on and on. Among all the inspiration, the one idea that I walked away with, hope not to forget, and believe will inspire me to action is: ”People forget that what’s in it for us is that we’re all in this together.”

Indeed, we are. How can we make a difference in our communities? I’d love to hear how you’re giving back and if you have any inspiring stories to share.