I’ve always admired those who believe in a cause and work hard to make sure that cause is successful.
What makes a person like that tick? Is it the satisfaction of what they’re doing? Do they believe nobody can do it better? Do they think they were born to do it?
In many cases, the person is usually a volunteer. There are those who are paid very little to do something. What they do is hardly worth the money, but they continue to forge on. In fact, I bet those who do get paid for a cause in which they truly believe would do what they do for nothing.
What drives people like that? It must be passion.
Without passion in life, you have nothing. You need passion in volunteering. You need passion to lead a group for very little pay.
There are many definitions of passion. One definition is: strong and uncontrollable emotion, perhaps for a loved one.
The definition that sticks out for me is: an intense desire or enthusiasm for something.
I look out in the community and see many people with such desire. I know every community or neighborhood has people like that. I bet you can think of a few as you are reading this.
We just had the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pittston and that effort takes many people with passion. Hats off to Sarah Donahue for coordinating the event. Sarah is passionate about everything Pittston, always looking forward to any and all events in Pittston.
Of course, with the enthusiasm for the revitalization of Pittston, there are dozens and dozens of people riding that wave. It takes more than one or two people to transform a community like Pittston and there are many to thank.
You see passion with people in organizations like The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Serradifalco Society, Hibernians, Montedoro Society, the Lithuanian Society, the Italian American Citizens Club and many, many more clubs and societies in all reaches of Greater Pittston.
How about organizations like the Lions Club, the Rotary Club? My daughter, Tiffany, is deeply involved with the Kiwanis Club – great people doing wonderful things for communities.
Let’s not forget the festivals we celebrate — like the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival and the Pittston Tomato Festival — and folks who believe in them.
We can’t neglect the American Legions and VFWs that dot our area. Those folks have passion for our country and served proudly.
The majority of coaches in our area are not paid, but are all out there for the love and passion of the sport and the kids. It’s passion that drives them.
Civic leaders have passion for the communities they serve.
You know there is someone who lives and breathes their passion. Those are usually the leaders, the ones who take the bull by the horns, the ones who make sure every “i” is dotted and every “t” crossed.
When I spoke recently to Sarah Donahue about the St. Paddy’s Day Parade, you could see that passion rise to the top. You could hear the joy and enthusiasm in her voice. Her eyes literally lit up when we spoke about the event.
Barbara Bullions, a retired Wyoming Area teacher who rekindled the Wyoming Area Drama Club in the early 1990s, is one such person with passion. Barb was the permanent fixture, the driving force, the leader and mentor to so many students who passed through her program.
I had to pick up some photos from Barb regarding a former student now pursing a career in the opera world for an article in the Sunday Dispatch. I met Barb at play practice one evening this past week. She was in between Drama Club Board meeting and beginning practice for “The Addams Family” play to be held March 24-26.
Barb gets paid very little for what she does with the Drama Club. What makes her do it year after year? It’s passion for the arts, passion for the kids and it’s in her blood.
She did take a few years off as head advisor, but it wasn’t long before she was back in the saddle again. I’m glad she’s back where she belongs. Nobody does a better job as advisor than Barb. There are so many former students who still have their hand in theatre groups all over the country because of her.
Thank you to all of you with passion in your heart and a cause to fight for.
Quote of the week
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” – Dr. Seuss, American writer.
Thought of the week
“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” – Alexander Graham Bell, American inventor.
Bumper sticker
“Limit to courage? There is no limit to courage.” – Gabriele d’Annunzio, Italian writer.
