When You Think Your Passion Doesn't Count

We have a family friend who is a junior in high school.  She is very smart, attending an elite technology high school.  She is very involved with her community, working closely with the youth group at her church.  She has lots of extracurriculars, dancing and the playing harp. But the thing she loves the very best of all is her summer camp.

She goes to a good old-fashioned summer camp for a month each summer.  She does archery and goes hiking and builds campfires. She sleeps in a cabin, makes friendship bracelets and has color wars.  And for the 11 months of the year that she is not in camp, she talks about camp. First, she talks about what she did at camp and the people at camp and the food at camp and the interesting bugs at camp.  Then as we get close to the time of year she heads back to camp, the conversation turns to her excitement about what will happen at camp in the coming year and who will be there and what cabin she will be in and what activities she will sign up for.

This year, as she was telling me all about camp, she also told me she was really happy that she could go back next summer.  Because she had planned not to return. I was surprised but she told me it was not because she didn't like it but because she needed to spend her time on things that would look good on a college application.  But luckily she found out that being a counselor in training would be worth 200 hours of community service and that would look good on her application. So now she could go.

That was a crazy statement, to me.  

To not do something that you loved because it wouldn’t “count”.     

What really counts is doing things that you love so that you are inspired to learn as much as you can and build your skills.

What counts is that you can be with other people who challenge you in areas that you love.  

What counts is that you can be immersed enough in something to be creative and change the world.

What counts is standing out. In college admissions and in life.

And you stand out far more when you are passionate about something a little quirky than you do when you are apathetic about something you are told you should do.

So pick what you love. Do it. Stand out.

Weekly Podcast: You Create the Meaning

Have you ever noticed how two people can see the same situation entirely differently?

That's because you create the meaning!

Working with the Seasons for Personal Growth

I love a good solstice or equinox.

And for years I have tried to incorporate the energy of the seasons into my life.

This year I started to use the energy to support my personal growth.

Spring

The spring equinox falls on March 21 and marks a day of rebirth.

From this point until the summer solstice, you are growing into a maiden.

It is a time or play and energy.  

It is a season of preparation.

And for me it is a season to clean and repair.

In the past I used to get all of my spring cleaning done on the equinox but now I like to tackle little projects every day of this season.  

Washing windows and curtains.  Trimming the trees.  Touching up paint.

I buy new journals and cleanse my crystals.  I do an energy cleansing for each room.

It is an industrious time that use to get everything in order for the next season.

Summer

The summer solstice falls on June 21 and marks a day of power.

From this point until the fall equinox, you are growing into a mother.

It is a time of discovering your place in the world.

It is a season of growth.

And for me it is a season to learn.

I make it a goal during this season to read of take a class every single day.

I always have a book with me and a list of podcasts ready for a walk and I sign up for a few in person and online classes.

It is one of my favorite times of the year because I let myself make my growth a priority.

Fall

The fall equinox falls on September 21 and marks a day of gratitude.

From this point until the winter solstice, you are growing into a crone.

It is a time of sharing your gifts.

It is a season of thanks.

And for me it is a season to give.

Every day this season, I give something away.  I tackle closets full of clothes and give what we don't need to charity.  I go through books and pass them on to friends who might enjoy them.  I bake cookies for a neighbor.  I donate money and time to good causes.

I especially love this time of year because it really helps me to open my heart extra wide.

Winter

The winter solstice falls on December 21 and marks a day of peace.

From this point until the next spring equinox, you are in a period of death preparing for rebirth.

It is a time for illumination.

It is a season for rest and hibernation.

And for me it is a season to reflect.

During the winter days I cozy up inside and spend extra time meditating and journaling.  

It is such a very peaceful time and makes the winter seem so welcoming.

I love putting my own special twist on the seasons.  It really helps me to invest in myself and reflect on the wonder of our Universe.