TED* Guiding Principles to Repurpose Global Stress and Uncertainty

TED* Team · June 13, 2025

Living Your Creator Essence in Time of Turmoil

By Donna ZajoncThese times of global unrest and uncertainty won’t last forever, even though it might feel that way if you spend a lot of time watching the news. We are living through a powerful cycle of both revolution and evolution.

The pace of change can be overwhelming—even paralyzing. But there is another choice. We can see the chaos and unrest not as threats, but as opportunities to practice living fully aligned with the principles we wish to embody. It is an invitation to open our hearts, nurture our Creator essence, expand our toolbox of skills, and become agents of positive change.

David Emerald, the originator of the TED* (The Empowerment Dynamic) framework and I often talked about the principles that are foundational to TED*. We spent years thinking deeply about what is true—what is foundational to living a purposeful life based on who we want to be, no matter what is going on in the outside world.

This week, I revisited those guiding principles. With so much sudden change, I had moments when I found myself sitting on my “worry couch,” numbed by deep concern about the state of the world. I wondered where and how I could make a difference. That’s when I recalled the TED* Guiding Principles. I remembered that I could choose to live those principles in every conversation—with myself (sometimes the hardest conversation of all!), with neighbors, family, and coworkers. This truth renewed my energy and dissolved much of the worry I was feeling.

I absolutely can choose how I live each moment. I can choose kindness. I can choose compassion—for myself and others. I can choose to see myself and everyone else as a Creator, whether they act like it or know it. I can relax and slow down.

That’s why I’m so excited to share with you our TED* Guiding Principles for Empowered Living. (Download the PDF here.) Please download and share them as you wish.

These foundational principles are the bedrock of the TED* framework. They are designed to help us live grounded, empowered lives—not someday, but today. They help us recognize the limiting stories that trap us in Victim consciousness and offer a structure for shifting into empowered action. When internalized and truly embraced, they support daily practices for living with clarity, courage, and compassion.

And now I know, without a doubt, that these moment-to-moment choices create ripple effects. They reach far beyond what I can see, contributing to a world that works for all—not just a few. These are not small acts. This is what I call Creator-based living.

Creator-based living is a practical commitment to personal transformation. It asks us to befriend our reactive habits and expand our capacity for intuitive awareness. It’s about how we show up in daily life—with integrity, presence, and intention—no matter what’s happening in the world around us.

At the Center for The Empowerment Dynamic, our mission is simple yet profound: to transform Victim consciousness and foster a world of creative, empowered relationships. Why? Because when we relate to ourselves and others from our eternal and infinite Creator essence, we become more innovative, more resourceful, and more capable of addressing the very real challenges we face—both individually and collectively.

When we align with our inner wisdom, we create an energetic resonance that uplifts others. It’s not just about being “nice.” It makes us smarter, wiser, and more creative.

Let’s be honest: living in alignment with a set of empowering principles isn’t always easy. It requires courage. It requires ownership. It asks us to stop waiting for someone else to fix things, and instead take responsibility for our energy, our relationships, and our contribution.

But while it may be demanding, it’s also exhilarating. Because the power to transform your life isn’t locked in some distant future. It’s right here. It’s in your hands, your heart, and your next step.

We are living in a time of unprecedented change. I believe we’re in the midst of an evolutionary leap—both individually and collectively. And your presence, your creativity, and your love are more needed now than ever before. Your willingness to live from your Creator essence is what will shape the future we’re all longing for.Is there one principle that stands out to you today that you will embrace to repurpose the global unrest? Please share in the comments section.

Until next time, here’s to the Creator in you.Donna