With my first daughter heading off to college, I’m hoping more than ever that she finds and pursues her passions in life. I know from my own experience that that’s the way to happiness.
And, as parents, what greater thing can we want for our kids than that?
Joseph Campbell said, “Follow your bliss.” That’s a statement that resonates to the core of my being, and I hope that I can offer that to both of my daughters in a powerful way, as well.
It can be tough for teenagers to follow after that deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. After all, well-meaning adults tell them from the time they’re small to always work hard and point themselves toward a dependable, practical career. High schools are geared toward ensuring students focus on external achievement, checking off boxes, and short-term goals.
Wouldn’t it be great if schools helped students to find a way to pursue passions through personal fulfillment, achieving goals they feel a personal commitment toward, and having a vision that’s extends beyond themselves?
Throughout my years as a teacher and parent, I’ve gravitated toward this simple diagram to help illustrate how a teenager (or anyone) can find purpose with what they do in life:
Explore passion and purpose together.
It’s my hope that you’ll share this with your teenager, along with the What’s Your Passion? worksheet. Take some time to have a light conversation with your teen, asking the questions you find on the worksheet, and then seeing how the answers might play out within the Venn diagram here.
Not only will your teen discover new things about herself, but you’ll learn so much about what drives her in a powerful way, too.
Let’s continue the conversation! Leave a comment below.
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