Encouraging Words for Meaningful Connection & Lasting Change | Daniel Delgado | TEDxAvila University

The speaker recounts experiencing a midlife crisis at 29, prompting therapy that emphasized the value of caring for others. The therapist categorized people into three groups: those who desire to care but don't commit, those who believe they cannot care, and those courageous enough to choose to care. This conversation deeply impacted the speaker, aligning with his aspirations to mobilize others towards compassion. He then highlights the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet, celebrating 375 years of service, as an embodiment of caring for the "dear neighbor without distinction." The speaker shares his personal journey, including flunking out of college at 19 with a 1.5 GPA. He found faith and initially thought college was unnecessary, but quietly struggled with achieving a degree. During the pandemic, he re-engaged with education, enrolling in a Kansas City community college. He found support, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and became a writing tutor. After four years with only one year of college credit, he discovered Avila University at a college fair. Encouraged by an admissions counselor, he quickly applied and was accepted, also receiving the Missouri Access Scholarship Award. Entering Avila University in August 2025, he felt energized by the high enrollment and student engagement. Inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet's values, he launched "Encouraging Notes for Avila," inviting students, staff, and faculty to write heartfelt notes to one another. He then connects this initiative to Avila University's six core values. The first, "upholding the worth, dignity, and potential of every single person," was evident in the enthusiastic participation in writing notes like "You matter. You're enough. I'm glad you're here." The second value, "dedication to the service of the dear neighbor," resonated with the Sisters' mission of meeting people in their need, inspiring the encouraging notes as a way to support one another. The third, "dedication to teaching and learning," saw the initiative born in a classroom where a professor encouraged students to effect change and develop a "personal constitution." The social work department also embraced the initiative, with students collaborating on notes and even writing notes of encouragement to themselves. The fourth core value, "dedication to the development of the whole person," emphasizes growth through community and learning from failures. The speaker reflects on how overcoming past struggles, defined by encouragement and care, allowed him to thrive. The fifth value, "commitment to diversity and its expression," is exemplified by the Sisters of Selma, who advocated for the oppressed, and by Avila's diverse student body and organizations. The speaker found community with the Society of Latinos on campus. Finally, the sixth core value is "commitment to have right relationship with God, self, and others." The speaker shares an incident where a student being cyberbullied found support from the administration and the campus community, including the Eagles for Christ group. He relates this to his own experience of being bullied in high school and finding life-saving encouragement from a "dear neighbor." He concludes by quoting St. Teresa of Avila: "The most important thing is to not think much, but to love much and to do that which stirs you to love." He emphasizes that "we are not alone" and are "at our best when we care for one another." Avila University's mission is to cultivate individuals who contribute valuable things to the global community, rooted in values and choosing to care. He invites the audience to write their own encouraging notes, building a legacy of care and encouragement for the "dear neighbor."