Stargazing

Life is not easy. However maybe that is the beauty of it. Nothing seems to go to plan. Nothing seems to come easy. Yet we power through, we get through, we learn, we grow.

Tonight for the first time in far too long I went to our stadium and stared at the stars. Now keep in mind I go to school in the middle of a cornfield, our skies are gorgeous on clear nights. Something that I have not nearly taken enough advantage of. I sat underneath a windmill in a spot that will forever hold a spot in my heart for a multitude of reasons and I took it all in.

Maybe this was a reminder to "put my big boy pants on". Maybe this was a reminder that everything happens for a reason. Maybe this was a reminder to just go to work and focus on myself. None the less I needed it.

As someone who keeps his emotions, at least the deepest ones closest to his chest I will never be the first to admit that sometimes I don't know. For so long now I have kept the perception and the reputation of just being the guy in control. The guy with the answers, I am never too stressed always relaxed never too high or too low. From an early age I learned the 3 Cs calm, cool, collected. I have lived by them.

2020 has however tested all of me. In facets that I never could have predicted. I have seen those most important to me at their lowest. I have seen the normalcies of my life get thrown out the window. I have looked in the mirror and pushed myself to be better to step out of my comfort zone, to own who I am, who I want to be, and who I need to be.

So in a night where I needed some perspective I looked to the stars. I was in awe of their simplicity and beauty. It had been so long since I just looked up and enjoyed what has been given to me. Something that I have written about before. I truly don't know how the future unfolds, but I do know what I control. So it is my choice as to how I want to handle what I control, which is who I want to take the future on with, and how I want to live it.

So I ask, when was the last time you stargazed?

"An intense desire or enthusiasm for something."

Passion has a lot of definitions. The noun can mean so many different things. So when a professor asks you to find yours for an assignment, you brush it off because it seems easy. Until you have to figure it out the day before.

Yeah I procrastinated, but that is not the point of this post. Check back with me in a couple weeks I will have much better stories about procrastination.

I think everyone has their own idea of passion, but I am not sure how many people truly know what theirs is.

For me it's making a difference. And even more importantly making a positive difference in every life I touch. 

How I am remembered is a massive part of what motivates me everyday. I want to leave a legacy that people want to remember that people would want to follow. It is also something that can travel with me in every aspect of my life.

How people see you doesn't change with what you are doing. Whether you are having a heart to heart with a friend, throwing a ball on a field, taking notes in a micro class, or taking time too high five a little kid at an elementary school. Who you are, does not change with where you are.

And more importantly, how people see you, react to you, and remember you does not change either.

Everyday people make a difference in other people's days or lives. Everyday you can make a positive or negative impact on the people you come in contact with. No matter how big or small you think it is.

So I ask what impact will you have?

What is your true passion?

Technology.

Technology makes life easier. Technology makes things possible today that 15-20 years ago were not even thought of. Connecting with friends and family is easier than ever. Communicating across the globe is instantaneous. Technology is easy but is easy always the right way? I recently spoke to 800 middle schoolers. All of which had cell phones, social media accounts, and most likely Ipads or computers.

These kids have grown up with social media and technology. They have never known a time when they did not have a screen around them or in front of them. Parents are now more likely to hand kids and Ipad or mobile device to entertain them, than any other toy.

Over two thirds of the world's population have mobile cellular devices. Half of the world population uses social media. Technology is an ever evolving and changing market with new concepts and products out almost every six months.

Society's ability to balance the ease of technology and the part of the world that makes us human could determine whether or not society continues to grow or we end up like the civilization in Wall-E

Is technology really the future of connectivity?
Or the end of it?