In the book I’m reading right now, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman, this young girl’s great aunt tells her to find her fire. The exact scene is as follows.
“She glanced over her shoulder at the house, which was now bathed in a warm tint of yellow from the sun. "Yes, everyone needs to find the one thing that brings out her passion. It’s what we do and share with the world that matters. I believe it’s important that we leave our communities in better shape that we found them. Cecelia Rose," she said, reaching for my hand, "Far too many people die with a heart that's gone flat with indifference, and it surely must be a terrible way to go. Life will offer us amazing opportunities, but we've got to be awake to recognize them."
She rested her hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. "If there's one thing I'd like most for you, it’s that you'll find your calling in life. That's where true happiness and purpose lie. Whether it’s taking care of abandoned animals, saving old houses from the wreckin' ball or reading to the blind, you've got to find your fire, sugar. You'll never be fulfilled if you don't."
"But how will I know what my fire is?"
"Oh, you'll know. One day you'll do something, see something or get an idea that seems to pop up from nowhere. And you'll feel a kind of stirring- like a warm flicker inside your chest. When that happens, whatever you do, don't ignore it. Open your mind and explore the idea. Fan your flame. And when you do, you'll have found it.”
This may not seem to have a whole lot to do with “Taylor’s Adventures in Mexico” but it is my blog, and I can write whatever I’d like! So first, it’s a good book. If you haven’t read it, do!
She rested her hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. "If there's one thing I'd like most for you, it’s that you'll find your calling in life. That's where true happiness and purpose lie. Whether it’s taking care of abandoned animals, saving old houses from the wreckin' ball or reading to the blind, you've got to find your fire, sugar. You'll never be fulfilled if you don't."
"But how will I know what my fire is?"
"Oh, you'll know. One day you'll do something, see something or get an idea that seems to pop up from nowhere. And you'll feel a kind of stirring- like a warm flicker inside your chest. When that happens, whatever you do, don't ignore it. Open your mind and explore the idea. Fan your flame. And when you do, you'll have found it.”
This may not seem to have a whole lot to do with “Taylor’s Adventures in Mexico” but it is my blog, and I can write whatever I’d like! So first, it’s a good book. If you haven’t read it, do!
Now on to my two cents.
I believe this scene provides advice to all of us. Whether you are 17, 25, 42, 60, or 93 we all need to find that fire inside of us. It is never too late. Life is about finding what makes you happy.
I believe this scene provides advice to all of us. Whether you are 17, 25, 42, 60, or 93 we all need to find that fire inside of us. It is never too late. Life is about finding what makes you happy.
Our world is constantly bombarded by what we cannot afford, how much we should save, and worrying about the money we don’t have. Money can buy you nice things and get you to exotic places, but it does not create the experiences that will change your life. I went to another country to discover how small the world is and to realize the “things” I miss most from home aren’t things at all. I have learned to be happy, just because every day is so special. Happiness is greater than money.
You never know when you will discover your passion. Passion doesn’t pay the bills, but money does not feed your soul. In Mexico, I have a lot of time to think. During the forty minute drive to school, at school, waiting for my parents to pick me up, etc. All that before lunch time! I’ve started to think about what I want to do with my life. I know, I know- going abroad to “find yourself” is really cliché, but it’s cliché for a reason. Anyways, recently I have been telling people that I’m going to be a pediatrician, well that’s the first thing I say after “I don’t know, yet!” It’s either that, or an oncologist or a teacher… I think. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll just be a world traveler, fashion designer, doctor, journalist, and pilot.
I’m not really worried that I don’t have my life planned out to a T just yet. The truth is, I don’t want to just grow up to enter a career. I want to grow up to be happy, to have fun, and to do something meaningful with my life. If that means I have to cut out some of the so- called essentials in my life to save my pennies and follow my dreams, then that’s what I’ll do. I plan on coloring outside the lines, and living my life for me.
I’ll leave you with one more quote. T. Alan Armstrong said, “If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.”
If you’re looking for some inspiration, I recommend checking out this blog, http://www.startsomethingthatmatters.com/ ,written by the founder of TOMs shoes. If you don’t know what TOMs are, look it up now! We can all make a difference, as soon as we set out minds to it.
Wow, you always amaze me. No doubt, you will make a difference in this world, you already have! You will continue to do great things, I just know it. Proud of you!
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