Lessons from a Lucky hand Carla Khadijah is a global traveler, international and affairs professional, educator, and advocate for human connection, resilience, and empathy. At 8 months old, she suffered a traumatic injury when her hand was severely burned by a hot radiator, setting the stage for a journey of physical healing and emotional growth. Her time at the Children's Hospital in Manhattan, where she met children with far greater challenges, taught her life-changing lessons in gratitude, optimism, and the power of human connection.Having lived and worked across Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, Carla Khadijah has cultivated a deep appreciation foe diverse cultures and perspectives. Through her personal experience and professional journey, she now shares the transformative power of embracing adversity with a positive mindset, creating one's own "magic," and connecting authentically with others. 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