"Blink our eyes open." Kent Gustavson has dedicated his career to bold and meaningful creative projects as a writer, speaker, publisher, and thought leader. In an inspiring and motivational talk, he recounts the impact of a near-fatal tragedy — one that reframed the importance of risk-taking in the context of creativity. (Filmed at TEDxSBU.) Dr. Kent Gustavson is an acclaimed author, speaker, educator, and musician. He is highly regarded for writing the definitive biography of music icon Doc Watson, 'Blind But Now I See'. The book won the Next Generation Indie Book Award in 2011, and currently has 50,000 copies in circulation. As an in-demand public speaker, Kent speaks nationally on a myriad of music related topics, as well as independent publishing, executive coaching, motivational speaking, and social media education. Parallel to his work as an author and public speaker, Kent is an esteemed educator who holds a PhD in classical composition from Stony Brook University, and for over ten years has taught courses ranging from music to language, mythology, writing, and leadership at the college level. When not writing, speaking, or teaching, he's an active musician, producer, and composer. He has released 14 critically acclaimed albums. His music has been featured on National Public Radio's All Songs Considered, and his sweetly uplifting liturgical music and hymns are played in hundreds of Lutheran churches around the country. #TEDTalks #wearealive #kentgustavson #TED #TEDTalk #TEDx #TEDxSBU #inspiration #motivation #life #death #creativity #heart #choice #openyoureyes #openmyeyes #risk #heartbeat #arewealive #lifeisbeautiful #courage #father #mother #guitar #music #love #healing #ideas

1. WE ARE ALIVE
Photo%by%Trey%Radcliffe%–%Crea4ve%Commons%A:ribu4on%–%Non%Commercial%–%Share%Alike%License%h:p://www.flickr.com/photos/95572727@N00%

2. IS THERE LIFE AFTER BIRTH?
Photo%by%Kris%Kesiak%–%Crea4ve%Commons%A:ribu4on%–%Non%Commercial%License%h:p://www.flickr.com/photos/36928267@N06%

3. DON’T DIE BEFORE YOU’RE DEAD
Photo%by%zilverbat%–%Crea4ve%Commons%A:ribu4on%–%Non%Commercial%License%h:p://www.flickr.com/photos/25228175@N08%

4. LEAP AND YOUR WINGS WILL APPEAR
Photo%by%Håkon%Thingstad%–%Crea4ve%Commons%A:ribu4on%–%Share%Alike%License%h:p://www.flickr.com/photos/25638028@N06%

5. BLINK OUR EYES OPEN
Photo%by%Trey%Radcliffe%–%Crea4ve%Commons%A:ribu4on%–%Non%Commercial%–%Share%Alike%License%h:p://www.flickr.com/photos/95572727@N00%