Investing in Hope: Finding Sweetness in the Forest of Horrors

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Acknowledging the challenges and horrors faced, choosing to invest in hope can make the journey through difficulties sweeter and easier. One's story's beginning does not define them; it is the choices made in the face of challenges that shape who they become.

If there's one thing this show believes in, it's that finding joy and comedy in life is essential when being human gets tough. Wajahat Ali is a writer who knows this well. His charming and powerful stories bring to light the funny -- and difficult truth-- of life outside of the mainstream. Chris hears from Wajahat about his experiences as a brown Muslim in America and as a father whose young daughter had a complicated health diagnosis. Wajahat's heartwarming wisdom on the importance of letting go (and celebrating the good with the bad, even in the bleakest times) will have you reassessing everything -- from your worst self-destructive tendencies to what you value most.

For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts

Wajahat's latest book, "Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American" is out now.