IMAGINATION; “I’m - A- Genie - In - Creation | Shayla Rivera | TEDxTAMU

“What is wrong with me?”; “Why can’t I be better, do better, have better…”; “Why is everyone and everything so messed up?” … These are the types of questions wherein we spend most of our existence. We keep asking ourselves why we lack the desire, the belief and the energy we need to make our lives and maybe even the world better. Even though evidence supporting the answer is insurmountable, this answer is just too simple for us to accept. It was uttered best by Neuroscientist Anil Seth when he said, “We predict ourselves into existence.”
We have never been nor ever will be able to create a life or a world outside of our beliefs. Our beliefs are what determines what we are able to ‘predict’ for ourselves and for the world. To ‘predict better’ we will have to ‘believe better’ and to ‘believe better’ we have to ‘imagine better’. I know, too simple.
We think imagination is a tool for a child’s daydream, but imagination is the genie that conjures the ideas and possibilities that have created change. Good or bad, this genie simply creates, first in your mind, then in your existence...indeed in all of our existences.
Shayla Rivera is an Aerospace Engineer and former Rocket Scientist with NASA turned corporate trainer, Keynote Speaker, TV & Radio Host, Emcee, Writer, Facilitator, Moderator, Actor, Comedian and Awareness Expert. As of 2017, Shayla is also a Professor of Practice as well as the Director of the ENGR[x] program for the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University.
However, none of these labels tells you much about her. She best describes herself as a spiritually irreverent Mystic and Awareness Expert. What many would call a Renaissance Woman.
Shayla was born and raised in Puerto Rico. After obtaining a degree in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Psychology at Texas A&M University, she spent 5 years working with NASA’s Space Shuttle and Space Station programs. From there she moved on to technical sales where she sold analyzers and water treatment chemicals to the chemical and refining industries. It was in sales where she found her passion for speaking. Shayla then moved into corporate trainings for stress management and motivational speaking. This is where she discovered the comedic talents, which led her into Standup Comedy.
She shares her expertise as a speaker with corporate, non-profit and educational clients around the world. Her performance credits include a great number of TV and Theater appearances and hosting the 13 episode TV series “You’re Not the Man I Married” for the Lifetime Real Women Network. However, Shayla is most proud of her multiple tours to entertain U.S. troops around the world.
A self-proclaimed Awareness Expert, Shayla has come to know one basic truth, “The best way to learn, grow and change - in other words become enlightened - is to lighten up.” Approaching very serious subjects with a very light heart, Shayla helps young and old alike become clear about the personal perspectives that might be getting in the way of their real desires.
With numerous awards and accolades throughout her speaking and comedy careers, Shayla is not easily placed in just one category or class, she defines her own. Shayla has been speaking and performing in both English and Spanish for over 27 years and always uses the power of the humor she has found in her own life story. She wants to help you do the same.
Shayla says, “My number one goal is to inspire through laughter.” This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@auroraramirez4389]

wow wow wow yes i believed we can change the world with our family support I remember that my parents diden't value education but i liked to learned i came to this country when I was 10 yrs. old

[@johnwright4456]

I researched you from CZcams comedy. Glad I did. Maybe I can learn from your optimism. That’s a talent and a half!

[@auroraramirez4389]

but when I got married I have the support of my children's dad and that's when i educated myself thank you to my kids support.

[@darryldaugherty324]

Was great to see this talk again. Was there to see it live in April 2018. Loved it. ABC - Awareness Begins Change.

[@JonathanPerez-vq1rj]

BORICUA !! Represent that's right.

[@yokemonkey]

Imagine = I-M-A-Genie. The Kingdom of GOD is within.

[@johnwright4456]

Super comedienne!!!

[@ihdyoshilive6463]

Here from Mt Sac!

[@Jupiter526]

Mt sac