In the TEDxTaipei talk titled “Learning to Say Goodbye Teaches Us How to Live,” speaker Yiet-Ling Su explores the profound impact of farewells on our understanding of life. Through personal stories and poignant reflections, Su emphasizes that accepting endings is essential for personal growth and meaningful living. She argues that goodbyes—whether they are to people, places, or phases of life—are not merely somber moments but vital opportunities for transformation and appreciation.
Su shares insights on how embracing the transient nature of relationships enhances our connection to the present. By learning to say goodbye, we can cultivate gratitude and embrace new beginnings, ultimately leading to a richer, more fulfilling existence. This talk encourages us to confront the inevitability of change and to see goodbyes as a chance for renewal, urging viewers to live fully in the moment and be open to life’s endless possibilities. Overall, Su’s message resonates as a powerful reminder that every ending holds the potential for new beginnings.
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Author Video Description
許多人以為安寧療護是「等死」、討論死亡會帶來「不詳」。而在安寧病房的四十年裡，蘇逸玲陪伴過上千位臨終者，她看見恐懼、遺憾、疼痛，也看見人們在最後一程裡重新學會道愛、道謝、道歉與道別。透過三個真實生命故事，她帶我們理解：善終並不是死亡的結束，而是成全彼此的新生。
Many believe hospice care is simply “waiting to die,” or that speaking about death invites misfortune. But through forty years in palliative and hospice care, Su Yiet-Ling has accompanied thousands at the end of life. She has witnessed fear, regret, and pain—but also moments when people rediscover how to say “I love you,” “thank you,” “I’m sorry,” and “goodbye.”Through three real stories, she reveals that a good death is not the end of life, but the new opportunity to complete relationships.
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蘇逸玲，前榮總護理部督導長。作為台灣愛滋照護先鋒與安寧療護推手，以超過四十年第一線的臨終經驗，在病房見證過上千起生離死別。她相信護理的核心是陪伴，生命的價值在於「成全與善終」，矢志讓病人安然走完最後一程，讓家屬心中不留遺憾。
Former Director of Nursing at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Su Yiet-Ling is a pioneer in HIV care and a leading advocate for palliative and hospice services in Taiwan. With over forty years on the frontline, she has accompanied thousands of patients and families through the final stages of life. She believes the essence of care is presence, and that a “good death” is one where patients find peace and families carry no regret.
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This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx
Yiet-Ling Su is a pioneering nurse and one of Taiwan’s foremost advocates for hospice and HIV care. With more than forty years of frontline experience, she has witnessed thousands of moments of life and death in hospital wards. Believing that the essence of nursing lies in companionship, she emphasizes the beauty of completion and peaceful endings. Devoting her career to helping patients leave with dignity and families find peace, Su embodies the compassion and courage at the heart of end-of-life care. 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
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Video “學會道別才懂得好好活著 Learning to Say Goodbye Teaches Us How to Live｜蘇逸玲 | Yiet-Ling Su | TEDxTaipei” was uploaded on 12/03/2025 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks