What happens when your life is defined by a cycle of pain and violence? Growing up in a conflict-ridden Assam, a filmmaker and actor faced a reality where trauma was a daily occurrence and hope felt like a luxury. In this powerful and deeply personal talk, Rajni shares the immense losses her family endured and the wisdom she gained from it. By embracing the idea that even the deepest pain is impermanent, she found a way to navigate her reality. Just as the resilient Emu outlasted a war waged against it, she learned that the key to survival is not to fight the past but to move forward and focus on building a future. This talk is an inspiring reminder that while we may not be able to control the pain that comes our way, we can choose how we respond to it. It’s an invitation to see beyond the suffering and to find strength in the belief that just like everything else in life, pain is impermanent. Rajni Basumatary is a scriptwriter, director, actor and producer. Hailing from Assam, she strongly believes that culture and creativity can engender social change in communities. She debuted as a director in 2014 with "Raag, the Rhythm of Love", and her 2019 film, “Jwlwi - The Seed” won her several awards such as the Assam State Film Awards for Best Actor (Female), Best Film in Other Language category and Best Film in other than Assamese language from Prag Cine Awards among many others. She has acted in a few highly successful and acclaimed films, including Mary Kom (2014) and the Netflix series "Rana Naidu” (2023). Her third directorial film, "WILD SWANS'' (Gorai Phakhri) had its World Premiere at Vancouver International Film Festival ’23. 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