Why do bad things happen to me?

You are made of birthday cake!

This video is a bit different for my channel, but this is an idea that I've had rattling around my head for a while now and I just had to make this.

Just to be clear, I'm not trying to say that bad things don't suck because they do. My past breakups and my childhood pets dying were awful things that have left wounds in who I am as a person. But the point I try to make is that I have taken something positive from those things happening so that they don't just act as a millstone around my neck. Just taking positive things from any event is very much an ideal case that we can strive towards, but not be surprised to not reach.

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I am Simon, a third year PhD candidate at the University of Exeter. I upload videos on bits of science which are relevant to what I do, and sometimes just because they're really cool.

[norzers]

Your voice is so soothing. You'd be great at documentary narration and just narration in general. Also, great video!

[legolasgreenleaf]

Essentially what you are trying to say is that "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to chose our respond. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." (Victor E. Frankl)

[yananedelcheva]

Instantly became one of my favourite videos; and at a very appropriate time as well! Great work!

[nunitchagucci]

This makes me appreciate life. Thanks for the good point of views that you share with us :) Love your channel!!!

[yasminebligaard]

This was genuinely the most inspirational video I have ever watched. You are amazing - this just made GCSE mock revision slightly more bearable thank you so much

[MFeng-xgst]

Honestly, I thought about it in a 'cell' level instead of the 'atom' level before ;) I was thinking that's a weird thought before untill find someone who thinks similar. Now a new step to accept myself. Thank you:)

[lilyenpointe]

I agree in so many ways with this video. How we view and take from the bad events really does shape a lot of who we are, and vice versa. Learning from any kind of experience and making the best out of things is one of the most important tools we have in life (if that makes sense). However, this isn't always the case. (I think) that it's important to mention that mental disorders and traumatic experiences can make using bad events to our advantage, an almost impossible task. And no one should feel bad if that's the case.

[krishnanand]

It's motivating to hear such advice from an academic - it's something you don't see often. Being a Law student myself (entirely different disciplines), your videos on Physics and Oxford never fail to enlighten me ! If only I had found such videos before hahah. Keep it up.

[AndrewJYoung-zuny]

I agree with everything you said about how we can't change events, but we can control how we interpret the events..Like after my uncles funeral in 2010, it completely changed my emotions and after failure in basketball, I overcame this to making positives rather than continue with negativity....Great vid mate 😀

[Perspectologist]

I like this video. The topic is interesting and I like the way you made the physical - experiential analogy. I mostly agree with your philosophy. When bad things happen to me I try to learn from them, adapt and overcome whatever challenges they present to me. I think that this is a good way to be.

The more complex bit is how early and/or traumatic experiences can shape our psyche in ways ways we aren't able to fully control, or in some cases even recognize. As the oldest child of a parent with a schizophrenia-like mental illness dealing with their paranoia and delusions profoundly impacted me. I feel an obligation to fix everything, even the unfixable. When I fail at that I feel so worthless. Deeply ingrained feelings are difficult to conquer. I have adapted to survive and I can keep my self hatred out of my active mind most of the time. Yet, if someone seems to love me too much I feel unworthy and I push away. I know better, but feelings are powerful. I'm working on that.

[hanaabdirahman]

Thanks Simon for this video. There are many things that could happen good or bad but seeing it from a positive perspective is always the best way. And btw never knew atoms that we have could date back to William Shakespeare or even earlier aha. Fact of the day. Look forward to watching more of your epic videos.
Hana.

[AlenaNadia]

Great video, Simon. This video was definitely what I needed to watch (thank you, thank you, thank you for this). Also, I WANT SOME OF THAT CAKE.

[MrGreapz]

Taking "you are what you eat" to a whole new level. ;)

Anyhow, great video. "A failure isn't a failure, unless you failed to learn" is an extremely good quote. Thanks for that one!

[MatthewConnorMartin]

This is simply brilliant. Please never take this down.

[MarionGuerbet]

I loved this video so much, I'd never thought of our being shaped by others in quite this way!

[dannibarron]

OAH Simon I bloody love this video! irrespective of scientific tangents unexplored. For a 5 minute video the positivity is so lasting

[tacobella]

This point was very cool. I've never seen an example as clean cut as Simon's. It's awesome!!!

[musicalotus]

I just finished my ukcat ( I actually commented on your "exam motivation" video before I started it today) and I did a lot worse than my mocks which shocked me.
Let me just say this video has come at such an appropriate time it is uncanny! I have drowned my sorrow in carbs but I hope that I learn to waste less time whilst studying, and not panic in an exam!
I think this is a good time to thank you for your support, it has been more useful than you even realise :)

[tombenford]

Really love this video! Fantastic production - looking forward to more!

[funnysele]

You are such a precious human being :) Thank you for sharing atoms of wisdom!