There is something to be said for the type of youthful optimism that makes you want to go into your diary, or journal and pick out a dream you've been holding onto since childhood, and giving it a shot. It is the type of passion that makes you believe the things we dream about doing are actually possible.
I've always been inspired by those who had the guts to break away from the everyday grind, and pursue what makes them happy, instead of just following the flow. I don't mean to minimize the nobility of the 9-5 employee. I mean, society needs us in order to function, but how many of us can honestly say that we are happy doing what we are doing. Note, I said happy, not content. Some of us make really good money, and therefore can afford nice things, and go nice places, and that is great if you can get by on that, and not have any regrets.
I personally only have a few friends that have actually pursued happiness, rather then run the rat race, and I try an analyze what makes them different. Is it a character trait that was instilled in them early in life, or maybe a chemical imbalance in their brains that makes them more driven than the normal person, or maybe it was a privileged childhood that enabled them to start ahead of everyone else. I then realize that these are all excuses I make up for myself to justify my lack of motivation, and yes passion. These people I know weren't given anything, they don't have some gene that only a small part of the population ends up with. These people are just driven, passionate people. They know what they want in life, and they are willing to do what it takes in order to achieve what they want, and they will go to their graves knowing that they made the most of the life they were given.
I truly believe that we all have the capability to pursue the things we want out of life. I also understand that not all circumstances allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel, we might fail a few times, we might fail many times. The fact of the matter is we can at least say we tried. I'm not saying take two steps, run into a wall, and then just give up and turn around and say it's impossible. If you have the passion, you will find a way, you'll leave yourself no choice but to find a way.
I also believe that it creates a snowball type effect. One person succeeds, then that shows another that things are possible, then they succeed, and so on, and so on. It is fun when you wake up one morning, and have a renewed sense of purpose in this world. You start to feel that you can make a difference in this world, just like when your kindergarten teacher tells you that you can be anything you want to be. Even if I just sit with my head in the clouds for a little while, I can tell you that I am feeling good about the future, and the things I believe I can do to make a difference in others lives.
It is hard to ignore the capitalist part of my life, I mean, there are things I want, there are places I want to go, and I am realistic, those things are not free. But there is a sense of appreciation I feel for the opportunities I am given to actually pursue what makes me happy, and I guess I will feel I wasted my life if I do not take advantage of those opportunities. If I can do something to inspire one person to pursue happiness, I will at least feel my life was worth something.
I want to thank Nick Schertz and Jesika Newsom for reminding me what passion is, and what we are capable of if we believe in ourselves enough. Keep moving forward, your passion is very inspiring, your drive is very motivating, and your success is deserved.
