أحمد الصابوني - أثر الكلمة | TEDxAlDablanStreet | Ahmad al Sabouni | TEDxAlDablanStreet

Key Concepts

• The Power of Words: The impact of words, both positive and negative, on individuals and society.
• Honesty vs. Harshness: The distinction between truthful communication and hurtful language.
• Self-Perception and External Validation: How external comments and judgments affect self-esteem and behavior.
• Willpower and Determination: The role of personal resolve in overcoming challenges.
• The Importance of Positive Reinforcement: The impact of encouraging words and support on motivation and success.
• The Ripple Effect of Words: The long-term consequences of our communication on others.
• Empathy and Understanding: The need to consider the impact of our words on others' feelings and experiences.

Overcoming Obesity Through Willpower and the Impact of Words

The speaker, Ahmad Sabouni, begins by stating his directness, emphasizing that he speaks his mind regardless of others' reactions. He then transitions into the central theme: the power of words. He quotes the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to illustrate the gravity of speech, highlighting that careless words can lead to severe consequences.

Ahmad shares a personal anecdote about his struggle with obesity. At age 12, he began gaining weight, leading to hurtful comments from those around him. Examples include:

• "What's wrong with you? Look how fat you've become!"
• "He does nothing but eat!"
• "Sabouni, the fatty!"

Despite outwardly laughing at these jokes, Ahmad internalized the negativity. He describes a cycle of eating out of anger and resentment, feeling that his weight was no one else's business. This led to him reaching 124 kg (approximately 273 lbs), causing physical and emotional distress. He felt self-conscious and believed everyone was judging him.

One day, a friend told him that losing weight required willpower. This sparked a change in Ahmad. He committed to a strict diet, almost entirely abstaining from food. He isolated himself for a month, only leaving for emergencies, following the principle of "avoiding what hurts you." The visible weight loss on the scale and his parents' encouragement ("May Allah strengthen you, Ahmad. You are capable, you have willpower.") fueled his determination.

After a month, he had lost 20 kg (approximately 44 lbs) and decided to reconnect with his friends. The same people who had previously mocked him now praised his transformation, asking for his weight loss secrets. He continued his diet for seven months, losing approximately 60 kg (approximately 132 lbs) in total.

The Double-Edged Sword of Words: Hurtful vs. Healing

Ahmad then connects his personal experience to his current role as a content creator, emphasizing the impact of words. He explains that hurtful words exacerbated his struggles, while kind words guided him towards positive change. He argues that many people who seem stubborn or resistant to advice are actually reacting to harsh or judgmental communication.

He uses the example of a parent scolding a child for playing with tissues. The child, feeling threatened and humiliated, might repeat the behavior defiantly. Ahmad explains that this is because "no one likes the style of threat, no one likes the style of humiliation." He suggests that a gentler approach, explaining the proper use of tissues, would be more effective. He emphasizes that "your choice of words is what will determine whether this person will accept your message or reject it completely."

The Power of Gentle Words and Long-Term Impact

Ahmad addresses the argument that kind words are mere flattery and that harshness is necessary to assess someone's true character. He refutes this by citing a story of a king who was approached with harsh criticism. The king responded by reminding the critic that Allah sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh, the most arrogant of men, and instructed them to speak gently. He states that "every harshness needs gentleness."

He emphasizes that positive words may not produce immediate results, comparing them to seeds that take time to sprout. He shares the story of Thomas Edison, whose teacher sent a letter home stating that he was mentally deficient. Edison's mother reinterpreted the letter, telling him he was a genius but the school was inadequate for him. This positive affirmation, Ahmad argues, played a crucial role in Edison's success.

The Life-Saving Potential of Words

Ahmad presents two contrasting scenarios: a wealthy man suffering a heart attack after listening to pessimistic news about the economy, and a poor man remaining healthy after hearing words of hope and resilience. He concludes that "a single word can save a life, can revive a nation."

He ends by asking the audience to recall the feeling of hearing "I love you" from someone they care about, emphasizing the profound impact of words on our emotions. He reminds everyone that "every word we say and will say, its effect will return to us." He concludes with his mother's saying: "Accept a word with tenderness, and a word will drive you crazy."

Conclusion

Ahmad Sabouni's speech underscores the profound and often underestimated power of words. He uses his personal journey of overcoming obesity to illustrate how both negative and positive communication can significantly impact an individual's self-perception, motivation, and ultimately, their life trajectory. He advocates for empathy, understanding, and the conscious use of gentle and encouraging language to foster positive change in ourselves and others.