How the small things can make the biggest difference

Sebastian Terry: Helping People Help People

Sebastian Terry, famed author and motivational speaker

Known worldwide for pursuing an incredible list of 100 Things that he wants to achieve before he dies, Sebastian Terry’s story is surprisingly not about a bucket list. It’s about something more far-reaching: permission, choice, growth, and connection.

After the loss of a close friend in his early twenties, Sebastian Terry, took a close look at his own life and asked himself a simple question, “am I happy?” When the answer was a resounding “no”, he put pen to paper and wrote a list of 100 things that could make him smile, hoping that pursuing those things would find him happiness. Little did he know this adventure would start a global philanthropic movement and that his list would be the inspiration for an ESPN documentary, US reality TV show, a whole new career, and a brand-new perspective on life.

What started as a journey about pursuing his own happiness has now developed into a movement of bringing happiness to many. Sebastian’s true purpose was revealed after he answered a request for help from a quadriplegic man named Mark who dreamed of completing a half marathon. Sebastian helped him reach his dream to complete the race by pushing him in his wheelchair the entire way. This was the event that changed Sebastian’s entire perspective and he realized happiness wouldn’t be found by checking off the items on his list, but by helping others along the way.

“I thought initially that it would take me 100 Things to reach a state of fulfillment but it’s taken me 72 things to realize that ‘ticks’ are just the beginning. The key to growth and happiness is finding out who you are on a primal level and then being that person, each and every day.”

From marrying a stranger in Las Vegas, delivering a baby in Canada, and even representing the Mauritian national rugby team at the African Championships (they won!), Sebastian’s most profound moment was when he was first contacted by a suicidal stranger who needed help.

100things is now a movement that enables individuals and organizations to identify their values, create meaningful and impactful lists and then support and facilitate the achievement of those dreams. It has helped millions of people to grow, connect and find purpose in their personal and professional lives. Through the amazing response to 100things, Sebastian was able to then start Kind sum, a peer-to-peer platform connecting people who need help to people who can help.

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