UNderstanding Passion
|
mile 5:
|
|
When I was headed into high school, I could remember how terrified I was. Not for the fact that I was literally 5'7" and 100 pounds, and walking the same halls as guys who looked like they should be playing in college athletics, but that I was already thinking about life after high school and what I would amount to. Because I was coming from a single-parent household that struggled, it could have been difficult for me to think that I would go to college or be successful due to my current circumstances, but I was not okay with settling for the life that I already knew. I was curious about the lives of my friends and their families. I wanted to know how they obtained their successes and how their guardians became successful, affording nice sized houses and reasonable cars.
My point? Your passion can and will be sparked by a variety of different things, at different points of your lives, but certain things will help keep your passion alive, such as dreams, curiosity in learning, and accepting failure. When I was 14-18 years old, I was the likable kid that was fortunate to be athletic enough to play varsity sports and become friends with other great student athletes who had better upbringings than me. Staying the night with my friends helped me observe, reflect, and analyze all sorts of information about success and what it could look like for me. I would ask their parents all the time, "What do you do?" "How can you afford all this stuff?" "Did you have to go to college?" The questions go on and on. Since I did not know what success really looked like, I asked strictly out of curiosity and ignorance. The experiences with these families helped me form a clearer picture of my dreams. They helped me understand what I was passionate about. I was fortunate to be able to put myself out there and learn more about other lives outside of my own. That was my ticket out of my circumstances. Understanding others helped me understand my passion! I know some of you are thinking, "But how do I start to understand my passion(s)?" So let's climb another mile and dig deeper! |
|
mile 6:
|
|
As a senior in high school, I remember how teachers would ask me what I was good at and what did I like doing, but other than saying "basketball and talking to girls" I did not have an answer. But I was never challenged to have an answer. . . I was never challenged to really think about what I was good at and what I liked doing. With that being said, let's start by challenging you with those very questions.
I want you to write in your canvas journals and answer these two questions: 1. Who are you? 2. What are you good at? Do not think too specifically, instead write whatever comes to your mind! Remember Rule #1: Be honest with yourself! After you are done, let's go on to mile 7! |
|
MILE 7:
|
|
Now that you have had time to think about who you are and what you are good at, watch this video about finding your passion through your experiences!
|
Being different is good? |
|
Now that you are done listening to Michael Costigan talk about finding your passion, tell us what your thoughts were while answering the following questions in your canvas journals:
1. What do you think he means by "conformity living?" 2. What is the difference between following a path and following a passion? 3. How can you start to do things "different" in your own life? You will notice that a lot of these questions may be a little hard to answer initially and that is okay! These questions are supposed to be hard! The more you can deeply think about the questions, the better off you are! Good luck! |
take a look! |
|
Most of you probably have no idea who this young man is. Let me introduce you to Kevuntez King, a recent high school graduate that earned a 4.0 G.P.A. and paid for his own way in college by selling newspapers for over 5 years. Click on Kevuntez's picture to learn more about his success story.
You do not need to write anything down, but let's think about a few things here. 1. What makes Kevuntez story unique or different than most 17 year old high school graduates? 2. Put yourself in Kevuntez's shoes, could you have the will to do what he did? Why or Why not? 3. Who inspired Kevuntez? Who or what do you have in your life that inspires you? |
Kevuntez king
Kevuntez King of Memphis, TN sold papers every Sunday at age 12 to raise money to pay for his whole college tuition. (Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal)
|
|
Kevuntez is what you and I would almost call an "exception to the rule," but what is that saying about you? That you don't have the ability to do what Kevuntez did? That you are not smart enough or good enough to do what he did? The answer to both of those questions is no. What Kevuntez did was something so simple, and yet it is so challenging. In basic terms, he sold newspaper every Sunday for 4 years, whether or not there was rain, sleet, or snow. The level of determination it takes is a lot, but the amount of concentration it takes? That's a different story.
My point? You too can do something simplistic and have it be as remarkable as what Kevuntez did. Have you ever thought about doing something, but haven't known where to go, who to to tell, or how to get going? Believe me, I think we have all been there a time or two, and we will all probably be there again, but don't let that stop you. Together, we can find the answers to these questions. Let's keep hiking so you can learn how to be successful with what it is you are wanting to do. |
|
mILE 8:
|
|
Like the video said, I want you to look at your circumstances in life: 1. What in life are you curious about? 2. What questions do you have that you are scared to ask anyone? 3. Who has helped or is helping you today? (Mom, Dad, Friend?) 4. How can you start building your own ticket to your success? Make a video (camera, phone, computer, etc) answering each of these questions and submit them to canvas. Be as honest as you want, this is your own personal life and the more you put into your responses, the better it will be. When this course is completed, you will evaluate these questions to see if you still have the same answers and questions or a different perspective. |
