On Music and Passion

I think of all of the TED Talks we've watched this semester, this one was my favorite. The thing that really stuck out to me through this entire talk, was that through Zander's passion for classical music, he was able to excite passion in others.

This realization is HUGE! I feel like this ties into a few other TED talks we've watched. One reason people lack passion, is because they are afraid of failure. If you fail at something you are passionate about, then where do you go? I think the crucial realization here that needs to be made, by me included, is we won't fail if we are truly passionate about a cause or something we are striving to do! Passion is crucial to anything we are going to succeed at, because if I don't care enough about something to love it with everything I have, why on earth would I want to put forth the effort required to not just succeed, but excel at it?

Lastly, the effect of words was a really powerful thought. I know we hear all of the time about how our words hold power, and can make things happen for better or for worse, but I know for me a lot of times I forget that. The idea that I should strive to make what I say be of such a high caliber that it could stand as the last thing I ever said to someone, is so thought provoking.

I know that for me personally, passion is something I have been lacking, not because I don't care, but because I'm afraid to put myself out there. I've been gradually coming to this realization that this is a problem I'm facing, and I have goals and dreams that I haven't pursued because of it. That is something that I want to change!

3 A's of Awesome

We all hit moments when life seems overwhelming. Neil Pasricha's talk was really eye opening for me. We have been talking about perspective the last few weeks, whether its perspective on mistakes, being wrong, or on things that are going badly in our life. Perspective is a huge key to everything we do. As has been evidenced over the last few weeks of discussion and Tedtalks. It's present in everything we do, and we are the only ones who control our perspective. I know that wasn't the main point of this talk, but in a bigger picture frame of things, that's the common thread I've been noticing. As it has applied to the past discussions we've had as a council, it also applies to this. To the appreciation and awareness of the amazingly great lives we all get to lead, even if they are fraught with individual stresses and worries. I know, it's tough to remember that when we get a 69% on a test, and it's tough to remember when we feel like our friends have changed, or when someone we care about dies. . . but in the end it's important to remember to step back, realize the great thigns we have been given, and appreciate them. All of them. And go on living our lives!