You’ve probably heard a lot of successful people preach the gospel about the importance of following your passion or purpose and how you’ll never work a day in your life if you do so. Chances are, they’re right.
This week I came across a video posted by DJ Tira on his Twitter page which resonated a lot with me. In the video, DJ Tira is conversing with a young boy who had been waiting for the DJ outside of his studio as he (the young man) desperately needed Tira to help him achieve his dream of becoming a rapper.
Keep in mind that this boy is only in grade 10 and had probably skipped school on the day in the hopes of having one of the most successful and influential DJ's in the country help mould him into the great rapper he believes he can become in the future.
Although DJ Tira was not impressed with the boy’s attempts to reach out to him, I couldn’t help but be inspired by the young man’s actions. Yes, he was wrong for rocking up at someone’s property unannounced, and yes, he should’ve been at school working on his education instead of being out in the streets. But if there’s one thing I took from watching the video, is the courage and passion this young man still has within him, a passion that has died out in many of us, myself included.
Ask yourself this simple question; When was the last time you took the time to do something you really love, something that ignites the fire within you? When was the last time you sacrificed something just to make sure that you were still able to do what you love?
My passion
Take me for instance, like many people, I am a lover of music, so much so that I saved some money to buy myself a keyboard as it has always been my goal and passion to learn how to play the instrument and ultimately to learn how to play five musical instruments.
Within the first year, I had been thoroughly practising on the keyboard, taking extra lessons whenever I could and really getting the hang of how to play this instrument, but external influences and other important facets of my life began taking over.
Work began piling up, and between getting home late and waking up early just in time to meet my “Summer body” deadline at the gym (which I’m still far from achieving) I have now wholly neglected my keyboard which is currently gathering up dust in my bedroom.
Which is quite unfortunate as I’ve come to realise that the only time I’m at peace mentally and entirely was when I practised on my keyboard. I love practising on that keyboard, I love finding new ways of making music on that instrument, so why have I stopped doing what I like as it clearly brings so much joy in my life?
I honestly cannot answer this question without sounding like I’m making far too many excuses, and don’t judge me as I know for a fact that many of you and I are in this excuse boat together.
Invest in yourself
I guess what that young boy taught me is that I need to do more of what I love and take the time to invest my time in being one with my keyboard. Maybe I sometimes need to sacrifice specific activities in my life like sleeping in late, spending fewer weekends watching TV, doing work meant for the week just for a couple of hours on an instrument that gives me so much solace.
Now, don't get me wrong, him sacrificing his school time to meet up with Tira was not the correct sacrificial thing to do, but his intentions were clear, he was there to do or work on the one thing he loves doing, rapping.
What makes you happy?
So maybe you should also be honest with yourself and ponder on what truly makes you happy and do it. Now, this doesn't mean quit your job or drop out of school, but it merely means invest in yourself and your capabilities, you never know where your passion may take you.
I also think that we should all identify the things that take away the time for us to do what ingnites the fire within us.
Share your love, speak to me
Have you also neglected your passion for doing what you love? If so, how do you think you and I can move towards doing more of what drives us to be the best versions of ourselves?
In the words of Drake - 'We're here for a good time, not a long time.' So do more of what you love.
Let's get chatting folks.
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