When I was a kid I used to be picked on by others. Having started school when I was 4 I was always smaller than most. Though I now stand at 6′-3″ I didn’t hit my growth spurt until junior year in high school. Even then I graduated high school a tall, skinny kid at just 160lbs. I’ve filled out since then but I was small throughout most of my school years. As such I did get picked on some.
Life is not always cut in dry – though I did get picked on I also knew the popular people through shared classes. I was not completely an outsider but I was definitely not an insider. I was stuck in the middle, knowing people from both sides but never being completely in any side. It made for an interesting school career, especially in high school.
I mention this because of regrets I now have (and even had in the moment). Though I was picked on I also would pick on others. I can try to justify it by proclaiming the taunts were not severe – nothing life threatening nor over the top – but they were there and at times were constant.
It’s easy to look back and see what a tool I was but it’s hard to acknowledge that even then I knew I was being a tool and still did it. As the years have passed I have apologized to the people I mistreated as I see them. However, my present apologies do nothing to change past iniquities. Much like dumping feathers from a pillow on the front lawn and then trying to pick up all the feathers a week later, you can never undo a wrong. That’s why it is important to do what is right, always.
It’s no easy task to always do the right thing. Those who need friends the most can be some of the most awkward people to be around. But their awkwardness should be no reason to dismiss them. I have a family member who tries to smile at others as they walk down the street, stating they want to acknowledge other’s existence. This should be our goal.
Why do I say all of this? What does this have to do with pursuing one’s passions? It’s simple, how we treat others has everything to do with pursuing passions. We must never pursue our passions at the expense of others. In doing so we corrupt and destroy the very passion we pursue. We also must make others our passion. As we grow in our passions we should in turn help others pursue theirs. A complete life is built in the cycle of giving and receiving, the passion of others as well as self. Break that cycle and you break the passion.
Attempt it. Chance it. Try it. Get to It!