Passionate & Inimitable
"The way you do one thing is the way you do everything," I read a few months ago in a magazine article about a former college basketball player who lives out this motto everyday in her new line of work. I meditated on that quote for a few days before it finally hit me: Wow, she's right.
How do you do your one thing?
What's your one thing?
I'm not 100% hung up on the idea that my one thing is what I'm about to write about, but I know it's close.
Passionate.
Inimitable.
That's how I live most of the time.
It's how I do most of the things in my life.
Growing up, I was taught from a religious thought process and grew up in a household where I was expected to work hard because God asks: to give all with your full heart. From a family standpoint, my parents modeled hard work that was unrivaled by anyone I knew. I didn't know any better, yes, but also I was not about to let Jesus and my parents down. So doing things full heart became my M.O. I was taught to be unique and myself: no one else can be you. I lived that out, too.
I was known as the student and athlete who never gave up. The creative kid in my class. My cousin called me "Consistent Amy" in high school. "You never waver," she'd tell me. My coaches knew I was the hardest working athlete out there and hated losing. I was coachable and cared. No one wanted to win more than me. My classroom work was the same: it was straight As for me, but also no one was going to imitate me. I was always striving to come up with the project that no one else was going to do.
Those things about me haven't changed since I was a child--that wavering, my passion, my hard work, being inimitable, matchless, and quintessentially me. I've found as an adult that I've learned and am always learning a lot about myself. It's a balance of self-reflection and meditation.
Things like:
That sometimes I've had to outwork a man. A co-worker. A tough student. But I do it with everything I have.
I've found that I'm hard on myself. I always have been. I don't beat myself up, but I sure don't ever want to let myself down.
That I have extremely high expectations for my own personal integrity and work ethic. Do I screw up? Yes, but I am very proactive about owning my shit. It's humbling. But I learn from these moments.
That I'm passionate in relationships and friendships. Yes, the connotation of that word changes depending on the person/relationship/friendship, but what doesn't change is me. I give my all in these facets of life, as well.
I've found that others recognize my passion and those who really care about me recognize and foster my creativity. While getting my second masters, my advisor was writing several letters of recommendation for me for some grants and in every letter she wrote, "If I could choose one word to describe her it would be passionate. She is passionate about equity, justice and tolerance. She is the champion of the marginalized and works tirelessly to improve the lives of her students. Amy is also a gifted writer and photographer, capturing her travels with a literal and figurative investigative lens." What a huge compliment to be recognized as such by an education professional with her doctorate and nearly 30 years worth of experience.
My Ironman coach noted that she loves how I live my best life every damn day.
I don't say any of these things to brag. I say them because passion and being one of a kind are contagious and inspiring and something others recognize. It's also, I believe, something that connects you to other passionate people. My mentor/advisor and my coach? Both very passionate people. Some of my closest friends? Passionate people. Do-ers. Those who have a zest for life and quality time. Some are creative. Some are passionate about being creative. haha. ;)
And the thing about your "one thing" is that it doesn't have to be about anything special. It just has to be about you and your talents and interests.
I have a lot of passions and unique quirks.
I'm passionate about making sure my students pass and learn.
I'm passionate about health and fitness.
I'm passionate about talking about mental health.
I'm passionate when I am with someone special.
I'm passionate about travel and experiencing new things.
I like the smell of new books.
I prefer to eat dessert first. You know, in case I die.
I'm the rarest female personality of the Meyers-Briggs personality test.
I care. A lot. (and often try to put up a front, but also love being vulnerable with those I feel safe with!)
To name a few...
Because the way I do one thing, yes, is the way I do most everything.
I want to be the best version of myself. Always.
And I wouldn't want it any other way.
6/9/2019
