My journey of compassion and self-forgiveness | Joel Paulson | TEDxBU

The art of self-forgiveness is not easy, depending on what you are trying to forgive yourself for, it might feel almost impossible. For me, my life story has forced me on a path of self-forgiveness, but even the practices I use I wouldn't recommend for everyone. But I have created some basic principles that I apply for both myself, and my mentees and people I interact with. My goal for this talk is to share my story, how these principles have helped me, and how I hope they can be applied for those that are listening and perhaps struggling with their own self-forgiveness journeys. Joel Paulson is a current second-year law student at Boston University, hoping to practice Criminal Defense upon receipt of his Juris Doctorate. While in law school, Joel has worked for the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Boston and served as a research assistant for the Center of Antiracist Research at BU. Joel will intern with the Defenders Association of Philadelphia and the NAACP LDF this upcoming summer and fall. Joel is transracially adopted into a white family; his birth father has spent 15 years of his life in prison. Joel arrived at BU upon graduating from Swarthmore College, earning a degree in Political Science and Educational Studies while being a four-year member of the varsity lacrosse team and in the all-black a cappella group “Essence of Soul”. Joel has been able to combine his career and love for lacrosse by working (and sometimes playing) for the Puerto Rican National Lacrosse Federation as the Head of Island Development. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx