According to filmmaker J. Christian Jensen, the same emotional forces that propel us forward in a good film can motivate us to do remarkable things in our lives. On April 9, crowds pack into the Provo Covey Center for TEDxBYU. Hosted by Brigham Young University’s Ballard Center, the conference gave hundreds the opportunity to hear presenters from a variety of backgrounds “spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.” Jensen, a graduate form BYU, was one of the featured speakers at this year’s event. Illustrating his lecture with scenes from his Oscar-nominated documentary, “White Earth,” Jensen explained how people can fulfill their life’s mission by constructing their own personal narratives. “When you discover your personal narrative, it will not only guide you to find your life’s mission, but it will also serve as a lifelong source of strength and motivation to help you accomplish that mission,” said Jensen. Jensen offered three tips in finding this lifelong strength: (1) find your marks and own them, (2) tell personal and family stories, and (3) find your mentors. In speaking of his own marks, Jensen said, “Marks can be very personal. I’m obsessed with trying to build bridges between ideologies. I can trace this to my religious upbringing.” Just as important as owning one’s marks is telling personal and family stories. “The stories that we tell about ourselves help to create our identity. They are a part of our personal narrative,” said Jensen. The power of such personal narratives, Jensen shared, has a scientific basis. He cited the work of psychologist Marshall Duke, who found that children who knew more stories about their history and childhood showed levels of higher self-esteem and self-control. These outcomes ultimately led to greater happiness. Jensen concluded by explaining the influence of mentors using an example from his own life. Many of his greatest mentors, he related, came into his life while a student of BYU’s Media Arts Studies program. “Before going to BYU, I came from a fairly sheltered background where I was given every opportunity to learn and explore my passions, but I was not exposed to a diverse set of films and things to study,” he said. “Many of the professors and the program helped completely shift and transform the pursuits that I am now carrying out in my life.” Jensen began in journalism before moving to film. While a BYU student, he worked on productions for National Geographic and on PBS’s FRONTLINE and American Experience. After graduating from BYU, he completed an MFA at Stanford. Jensen’s recent work has screened at major festivals around the world. “I’m ever grateful for BYU and the role that the CFAC played in pushing me along this path that I have followed. I have been very blessed and I hope that I can keep doing things that are of value to me and to others,” Jensen said. To view Jensen’s TEDxBYU presentation, click here.