The word passion, like its synonym love, has been misused so often that kids don’t really understand it’s true meaning without assistance. I described it to my students as a need to do something and a joy while doing it. Many immediately relate that to gaming! So, let’s look at gaming. There is a pursuit (winning or leveling up), there is a challenge in doing so, and there are rewards that cause joy (bragging rights, points or awarded abilities, lots of pleasing sounds and visuals). How can any other pursuit compete with that kind of directed marketing?

       I have a passion for teaching, but the rewards sometimes come months or years after the initial lessons. The journey is not “fun.” It’s not fun staying up late to grade papers or getting up early to prepare for classes. There are very few “bragging rights”  opportunities and many opportunities to prove to administrators and parents that I am actually doing a good job at teaching. This pattern of hard work, answering to evaluators, and waiting long periods for rewards is not unique to teaching. Is it any wonder the number of males going to college is dwindling at a rate that is staggering. Parents, please show your boys and girls the rewards you receive that are not instant gratification.

        Probably at the root of passion is need. Those of us who are passionate about our jobs have a need to give in that way, and we do it because we see great need  in that area. Talk about words that no longer mean much from overuse! Do our kids really understand true need anymore? With all of this watering down of concepts that grew our country, one can see why apathy threatens our future.

       I beseech you, Parents, to share your passion projects and the passion you find in your job (if you do, in fact, feel passion for your work) with your kids. Show them how waiting for a reward can be as satisfying if not more as instant gratification. Encourage them to develop some passion projects, like gardening or even pretend investing in the market (or real, if they have funds). Show them how waiting can bring satisfaction. Also talk with them about the things they love, and show them the occupations that can utilize that passion. Start early guiding them, and they will benefit tremendously. Don’t let the great pacifier (gaming) kill their passions.

-        Michelle