How to love and be loved | Billy Ward | TEDxFoggyBottom

Through a story of one of his students, Billy shows the importance of loving others and of being loved.

Billy Ward is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and has been practicing in for the past 13 years in the New York City Suburbs of New Jersey. In addition to having a private practice, he has also been counseling students at Seton Hall Prep High School since 1998. Currently he is the director of retreats for the school and also teaches a senior course for Human Development and Theology. Billy's approach to teaching centers on the development of mind, body and spirit. His personal philosophy is LOVE and Be LOVED.
Billy is a graduate from Georgetown University where he studied Psychology. He was also the quarterback of the football team for four years. He had a short stint with the Baltimore Ravens in 1999, which was a great experience and personal achievement. He continues to credit his athletic experiences with helping him to understand the mind-body connection and the ability to set a life goal with great determination and tenacity. After leaving Baltimore he continued his study of psychology at Seton Hall University where he attained his Masters Degree and Post Masters Degree.
Billy is married to his soul mate and best friend Lia. They have two sons, two-year-old JD and 5 month old Casey. The family is completed by their Golden Retriever, Grover Ward.

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[Hugo-hghdesignstudio]

The lesson that I've learned in my life is "Become the light instead of searching for it, and you'll see the light reflected in everyone you shine on."

[splashcat]

Loving everyone unconditionally can be a wonderful life as long as one doesn't confuse unconditional love with unconditional trust. 

[livinlikeluz]

When he said to picture the sun, the first thing that popped into my head was the sun baby from the teletubbies

[jkbc]

I would picture my Mom for the Unconditional Love she has provided me. I lost her 2 months ago and I missed her dearly.

[tomng]

i like this line at 9:13 "the toughest guy in the room is not the football guy. It's the loving guy."

[lovemecom]

The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and to be loved in return. Love yourself before others. If you love yourself everything go into place.

[emmiesylvester]

My sister sent me this link, and told me that I'm her lighthouse. I'm watching this and genuinely bawling because I could not think of a greater compliment. That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever told me and I'm so honored she sees me that way 😭😭😭😭😭🥰🥰🥰

[andrewc.]

... when you don't have somebody to picture.

[lasgav]

Thank you. Your talk inspired me to call my daughter who I've been mad at and haven't spoken to for about a month. We have no time to waste, only time to love and be happy.

[ledzelda]

I was fortunate enough to go to the high school that Billy works at and hear him give this talk in person. He's honestly one of the most sincere and approachable people I've ever met. I was so glad when I found out this was online. This talk really speaks to a lot of people.

[tekkel]

Something that life taught me, is that we should love everyone without expecting anything in return. Because if you show love to a person that don't like herself, that person might begin to regain trust in herself, and become free to express her love back

[mindbodyspirit]

"once you begin to open yourself to love you will begin to see it everywhere" 👌

[luke]

I hope everyone has a positive day once you read this

[TheAMELIOO]

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

[paris]

love is love. I truly believe, every person we meet in our lives, we didn't meet them simply by chance, we met them cause they serve a purpose either to guide us, love us, hurt us or to teach us a lesson. Daniel had a purpose and the purpose was to make this speaker the man he is today. RIP Daniel.

[radioisayah]

The toughest guy is the love . Swear I been insecure my entire life . No ones the blame it just happened & I never knew it was me . I'm upset cause I didn't love harder but I most definitely will today. I'm sick of anger I'm tired of feeling unloved, I need it I crave it .

[norel]

I'm not good looking, I'm not rich. I'm what, statistics labeled as a throwaway.
But, I chose to believe in something other than labels or statistics.
My life matters, and along with many, many other types of encouraging and insightful outlets Ted Talks continues to be a part of my every day life. Thank you.

[lulabella]

Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, "You owe Me"
Look what happens with a love like that,
It lights up the Whole Sky
~Hafiz~ Persian Poet:)

[dianederita]

Hands down, the most beautifully articulated loving message in a TED talk ever. Love this so much. Thank you and bravo👏 .

[imomimotv]

i watched this once many years ago because i was going through a crisis about the fact that i was never going to be loved. i listened, but i don't think it ever struck anything in me. it was simply a nice story. i'm revisiting this now after those many years and crying at the moment he talks about the sun and to imagine someone who could use a little unconditional loving right now because i imagined myself. i need to learn to accept who i am and love myself because of that, not in spite of it. i suppose the journey begins