If you're anything like me, then you should read this op-ed abut children finding their passions.
Growing up, I knew that I had to find a passion in something to stand out. Violin? Tennis? Art? Baking? Sure, I was good at many things, but I was never great at anything! I started to beg my mother to let me take harp lessons fully knowing that the harp would get me into the Ivy League. Who plays the harp? No one. That's why I would stand out---effing obviously. But let's just say that plan foiled when she saw the price tag to one of those harp thingys.
But here I am, about to graduate college and still without a passion. Except now, it's not about getting into college, but rather going into a career that I truly care about making a difference in. I am one of the most indecisive people, flipping and flopping all over the place with my hobbies and ambitions. So how da heck am I supposed to know what I want to do for my career? I don't even know what my favorite skittle flavor is!! To be honest, I have always chosen the path of least resistance. I was Pre-Med during college, because to be frank, my life would be planned out for the next 10 years. This path seemed like the easiest way out of making decisions career wise. Unfortunately, the MCAT (and my foolish attempt at Orgo) made me realize that I didn't even have enough passion to become a doctor!
So what gives? I'm still not at the point in my life when I can say, "It doesn't matter. Life will take you where it takes you, and you don't need to know." Puhlease. Can't you already notice my Type A personality? I don't know the answer to this question, but as a professional student, I am going to do what we do best. I'm going to procrastinate and put off this question until I have a more firm answer. So, I'll just give you a rain check and keep you posted.
I think our obsession with "finding a passion" is misguided because the focus isn't the passion itself, but rather how that passion reflects on us. With this mindset, we've lost a lot of the compassionate that comes with the pursuit of new things. Our focus should be on the journey of discovery. Let's try new things and get bored with them. Let's go to new places and hate them. Let's make friends. And after all that, we'll eventually have an idea of what we like and don't and if not, try something else!!! People with interesting lives have no vanity.
ReplyDelete