Growing up, I associated the phrase “you are so passionate” with my weaknesses. I believed that passion was because a person wasn’t strong enough to stay cool, calm, and collected. As I grew, I believed passion was an antonym of professionalism.
I was wrong. It took me a while, (okay, the truth is it took a couple of decades) to learn that passion is a strength. It is a sign of commitment and an urgent call to action. When someone is passionate, they are not weak. They are simply demonstrating their strong heart and mind aligned and pointing to a single issue.
My passion is good. It is why I continue to seek ways to empower individuals with disabilities every day, even when the data tells me that my efforts haven’t accomplished my goals. Passion is what keeps me up late at night. Passion is what helps me to empathize with those I don’t agree with. Passion is what raises my voice above the noise of media. Passion is what makes me an expert.
I hope our children and young adults find their passion. For some, their passion will lead them to a career. Hopefully, it is one they enjoy and excites them throughout their life. For others, their passion will become a hobby. Both careers and hobbies are needed. One provides the fiscal resources to live, and the other feeds the heart and adds value to living.
Understanding the value of passion also helps me be a better IEP team member. Each person is passionate about the success of the student. Listening to the ideas and perspectives of each person can result in a stronger IEP, and ultimately, greater student success.
And so, I step into my passion. No longer apologizing for it, but instead, unabashedly sharing it. My passion can be the spark to ignite change, which is a really good thing.
