Passion is Contagious

Lately I have been thinking a lot about passion. What are you passionate about? What is passion? How do you create passion? Is passion all consuming, where there is one passion that allows others to fit into it, or is it made up of a bunch of different passions that don't really connect but lead to an overall goal? How do you determine if you are really passionate or if you are borrowing someone else's passion? When you lose your passion for something, is it just lost? Or can you get it back? Passion is an interesting thing. And interesting concepts come with it.

Recently I completed a 6 week leadership development program. It was really enlightening for me to see and I enjoyed all the material I learned a lot. One of things that was taught ties nicely into passion. It's the Hedgehog vs Fox concept.

Here's an excerpt from an email from Brice Colby; my adviser who was teaching the program:

        "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing. The fox is a cunning creature, able to devise a myriad of complex strategies for sneak attacks upon the hedgehog. Day in and day out, the fox circles around the hedgehog's den, waiting for the prefect moment to pounce. Fast, sleek, beautiful, fleet of foot, and crafty - the fox looks like the sure winner. The hedgehog, on the other hand, is a dowdier creature, looking like a genetic mix-up between a porcupine and a small armadillo. He waddles along, going about his simple day, searching for lunch and taking care of his home.

The fox waits in cunning silence at the juncture in the trail. The hedgehog, minding his own business, wanders right into the path of the fox. 'Aha, I've got you now!' thinks the fox. He leaps out, bounding across the ground, lightning fast. The littlehedgehog, sensing danger, looks up and thinks, 'Here we go again. Will he ever learn?' Rolling up into a perfect little ball, the hedgehog becomes a sphere of sharp spikes, pointing outward in all directions. The fox, bounding toward his prey, sees the hedgehog defense and calls off the attack. Each day, some version of this battle between the hedgehog and the fox takes place, and despite the greater cunning of the fox, the hedgehog always wins."

    If you remember the Squid part of the Squid and Trees theory, it's much similar to this battle between the fox      and the hedgehog. This defines how people operate in the world. Are you a fox that pursues many ends at the same time and see the world in all its complexity, never integrating your thinking into one overall concept or unifying vision? Or are you a hedgehog who simplifies a complex world into a single organizing idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything? 

This ties in with passion because that concept you come up with, or the complexities you see all tie into your passion. In fact, one of the questions used to discover what your overall hedgehog or fox concept is is "What are you most passionate about?" 

Passion is what drives us. It's what gives us a competitive edge and the motivation to keep on going. It's the reason we are what we are and do what we do. Often times we have passions that are kept secret. In fact, until recently, I used to keep my dream in life, my greatest passion, hidden. I didn't like to tell people because I was afraid. I was afraid they wouldn't see what I really wanted to do. I was afraid they would discredit the idea and I was afraid they would laugh if I ended up failing. 

I was afraid until I watched this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft9ZnQkb8zw&list=PL95ED4A7B454DF7E9&index=6&feature=plpp_video

In this video Blake says "We all have a dream between our ears. And most of those dreams stay there because we are paralyzed by fear. The cure for fear is passion. And passion is contagious. So own it!" 

That's what I have to say about passion. Passion IS contagious. After I watched this video I sat and made a list. I listed all of my passions. I listed things I want to do in life and the goals that accompany them. I wrote out my passions. Then I talked about them. Not all at once and not with tons of confidence, but I did share. I still share. In fact, on Tuesday I was talking to people about my passions and I realized I had been talking for far longer than anyone else. Sharing passions is a great thing. Find a friend that you trust and let them know your passions and then, ask them what theirs are! Passion is contagious. It is something that other people will pick up on. 

So here's the take home from this blog. Tell people about your dreams. Figure out your hedgehog and move forward! Continue finding passions and motivating others! Don't ever, ever let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. If you have the passion, if you have the desire, go for it! Passion is contagious. Share yours! 

And do it with a smile, because after all, no one likes a frowny face! 

Passion is Contagious

Recently the thing that has been on my mind is passion. What is passion? How do you find it? What am I passionate about?

I have spent so many hours this week thinking about that. Thinking about the answers to these questions and wondering how I can make them all work to create the best outcomes in my life. First I decided to look up the definition of passion. According to definition.net, passion is many different things, but the definition that fits my purposes the most is "a strong fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for something" So, the next logical step was to figure out what my passions are. To do this I started out by listing passions. Things that I had a "strong fondness" for. I came up with a few things. Family,

Things that make me happy:

Well folks, I have been so blessed in life recently, that I decided to write about ALL the wonderful things going on. The things that make me happy! :) I know this list will never be complete, but here's the ones that are on my mind right now: 

Birds chirping

sunshine

dresses

Five Finger (toe) shoes

Area Government

Living on Campus

My roommates

My mom

Highlighters

Learned optimism

Missionaries

More specifically, the Elders in my area

Being a friend

Ping Pong

Taco Bell

Friday Nights

Saturdays 

Video Games

Music

Guitars

Having friends who can play the guitar

The Scriptures

Snow [it's cold, and wet, but magical]

Pandora

YouTube

My fish. 

Those cool machines that give you toys after you put quarters in

Nerf Swords

Friends who will have a sword fight with me 

Star Wars

Harry Potter

Cheesy Cheesy jokes

Cheesy sayings

All around Cheesiness

Funny jokes

Laughter from babies

Laughter from friends

The kind of laughter that makes it hard for you to breathe

Ties and the many cool ways you can tie them

Interesting classes in School

Plans for the future

Taking over the world ;) 

Being apart of something

Having friends who understand you

Being able to laugh at yourself

Feet. [not a creeper, but if I didn't have feet I couldn't go barefoot]

being barefoot

Big jackets and sweats

The way boys smell when you hug them. 

Hugs. 

Lactose free milk

Zumba

Yoga

Frisbee

Tall people who make you work harder in Frisbee

Being challenged

Toys

Accents

Sundays

The temple

SUNSHINE

Dogs

Getting asked if my feet are cold

Friends. 

San Juan 102 apartment

Personality tests

Leadership

Love

Family

Life

The fact that I woke up this morning

Smiling

Trees

Dinosaurs

Pirates

Zombies

Trucks

Now, Like I said I cannot list everything that makes me happy, but these are the things on my mind right now. Make a list of what makes you happy. When I am in a bad mood I try to do this mentally because just the thoughts can bring so many good things with them I usually start to feel better! :) I hope you find joy in the little things and always remember, No one likes a frowny face- change it to a smile! :)

It's All How You Look At It

Recently I have learned and re-learned a very important lesson. This lesson is that it's all how you look at it. Perspective is a very useful tool. It can make or break you. I have come to realize that our thoughts direct a great amount of our behavior. I don't know why it took so long for this connection to sink in, but think about it. How many times have you thought, "Well they won't like me so why should I talk to them?" This is not only a thought that leads to judging someone else, but also yourself. Recently I have been going through a leadership training of sorts and have really started to make an effort to think about what I am thinking about. Often times we see people as objects. And often times it is with out meaning to. How many times have you passed someone on the street and judged them without even thinking about it? It happens a lot, but when we make a conscious effort to try and see people as people the world around you begins to change. Your relationships become more meaningful, you see yourself differently, and life is just happier.
Onto a related, but different subject. Changing the way you see yourself and view the world. Recently I have been reading a book titled Learned Optimism. This book is all about how by changing your thoughts and the way that you explain things you can change your life. At first I thought it was all a bunch of gobbly psych gook, but then I thought about it and really began to try it. I noticed when I was saying something that sounded a tad pessimistic and I changed that. I noticed when I was aware of what I was thinking and making an effort to think in a more optimistic way I was more optimistic.
As I have said before in this blog, I often get asked why I am so happy, or how do I always have a smile on my face. As I have recently truly began to think of the reason why I seem to be always happy is because I rarely let myself be sad. I try not to allow negative thoughts into my brain. If I find that I have had a particularly bad day and am feeling down, I surround myself with things that make me happy. I try my hardest to be happy and change my thoughts and then I am. It's really a wonderful thing. Now, don't get me wrong, there are PLENTY of days where I am not the happiest kid on the playground, but the fact is I try. I make a conscious effort to monitor my thoughts and make sure they are aligned with the attitude I want to have and then I do it.
So, what's the message here? Thoughts matter. The way you see things effects the way that your life is. Think about what you are thinking about. Treat people like people, and of course remember to smile, because no one likes a frowny face! :)

No One Likes a Frowny Face!

Well it's been a while. Too long if you ask me. That's just what happens when life gets busy, and oh boy is it busy! This past week I have had little to no free time and next week is about the same. A lot of people call me crazy for how busy my life is but they don't realize how much I love it. See, I have this theory. It doesn't have a name or anything, but I think it's the secret to happiness. That's right, I am going to tell you the secret to happiness, so listen close! 

 In my life I have been helped so much by other people. I have seen so many people sacrifice their time to do things for me, and I finally feel like I have the ability to give back. How did I do this? By getting involved. I found places at my university where I could see change happen. Where I could do things that mean something.It may only be a few organizations I am involved with but I feel needed. I feel valued and I feel like I can make a difference. These organizations may take up my time but they never make me sad. I am willing to be apart of them. I am willing to spend 8 or more hours in a day doing things for these organizations. Why? Because they make me happy and I know I will never regret the work I do with them, only look forward knowing the path behind me is filled with deeds of good work and good will.

In the times I am not working for these different organizations I am in, I am spending my time with wonderful people. I re-learned a lesson a little bit ago about meaningful friendships. Notice how I said meaningful and not "best" friendships. I think the term "best friends" is a terrible term. I don't think it fully implies what a friendship is. I can be "best" friends with someone and not even know their birthday with today's version of the term. It's overused, and almost meaningless in my opinion. It is practically the opposite of what I want to talk about; meaningful friendships. In my opinion, a meaningful friendship is a friendship where both people are valued. You care for each other, look out for each other, and spend time with each other. Let me give you a few examples of the meaningful friendships in my life. I have one friend who is always there for me. She listens to me complain, she laughs when I am so not funny, and she lets me use her shoulder to cry on when I need to. She is one very great person and I know that I can always count on her to be there. That, to me, has meaning. The next is a friend who is always listening to me. I don't know how many times I have been in a group where so many people have been talking and I try to say something and no one hears. This always makes me feel ignored and overlooked, but this friend of mine never does. He will always go back to what I said, or let me know that he heard me and was listening. It's this small validation of importance that gives a meaningful dimension to our friendship. As both of these friends show their care for me, I try to do the same for them, and that is a definition of a meaningful friendship.

 Life is good. It really is. There are so many things that can get you down. So many things that will try to tear you down, but you cannot let them. You cannot let sadness seep into your eyes. You cannot let the weight of the world bog you down. So, back to that secret. Are you ready? It's gonna be big! In order to remain happy you have to be happy. So do it. Go find what you enjoy. For me it's giving back and meaningful friends. For you it may be music and cheese. All I know is that when we find those things that make us truly happy we begin to shine from the inside out. And when we shine form the inside out we are being the best people we can be. If you were to ask me if I was happy, I could honestly say I am. I have a wonderful life filled with the things I love to do and that is all anyone can ask for. 

So, now that you know the secret, give happiness a try. Find the things you love to do and let them fill your life. By staying busy doing things that you love, you will never go without a smile. That is my wish for you because, after all, no one likes a frowny face! :)

Dear Santa....

I am 20 years old. Most people stop believing in Santa by now. They quit thinking the man in the big red suit is real and start worrying about what to get other people and what they are going to get. I, however, am not one of those people. I still believe in Santa. Which is why I just wrote him a letter. Normally my letters to Santa are all about what I want and possessions I need, but this year I wrote about something different I wrote a wish. A wish that I won't share due to it's personal nature, but I firmly believe this wish will be granted. The idea I am trying to get at is never stop believing in magic! Sure, it may seem childish to some but to me that's what keeps us from becoming robots. Beliefs keep us rooted while also allowing us to fly. Magic keeps us believing. It keeps us young. So believe. Believe in the joy of Santa. Belief in his elves and his workshop. Just believe! 

This has become one of my new favorite songs. I think it really embodies the spirit of Santa and what he can do. It is also a tribute to the troops who so valiantly fight for our freedom and sacrifice holidays away from their families to spend that time fighting. I have a brother in the Air Force who, luckily, gets to be home with his family and us for Christmas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5leMiif4pM&feature=related Enjoy the song! :) It makes me cry (in a good way) every time I watch it. 

So, I guess what I want you to take out this is never stop believing. Don't lose the magic so many people call childish. Write a letter to Santa. Wish for worthwhile things and never be afraid to believe! 

Share a Christmas smile, after all, no one lies a frowny face! :) 

Your "Sole" Mate

So, after talking about relationships, I decided to make a metaphor about shoes... I know this may sound silly (I just woke up so don't judge me) I hate that everyone complains about not finding someone. First, have some patience! Maybe that's not what is supposed to happen in your life! Calm down, forget about searching and someone will come along. It takes time!
Anyways, back to the metaphor. So this is WAY cheesed up, but believe me it makes sense. Think about shoes. Some people like certain types of shoes and only wear them. Others have their favorite types. Think about it. You know someone who only wears their TOMS or only wears flip-flops, or loves their one pair of shoes. Some people like multiple types of shoes or have more than one favorite. Some people even dislike wearing shoes! (that's me) Now you have an idea of how much shoes are important  let me tell you how they relate to relationships. Each of us have a pair of shoes that we love, or a style of shoes that we love. This is like that "right" person we all look for and talk about. We have worn shoes our entire life. Some people find the type of shoes they love and want to wear the rest of their life early. Some people find them later. Some people don't ever find them. Life was not meant for us to be equal. It was not made for everyone to have the same experiences. It's okay that you haven't found "the one" yet. It's okay that you're getting your heart broken. Cheer up! The right person is out there for you. The important thing is that you are trying on different types of shoes to find the one you like the best. Your "Sole" mate is out there, so keep on looking. You'll find them!

No one likes a frowny face, change it to a smile (you get more dates if you smile)