While living in Fairbanks, Alaska, I had one of those life-changing moments: As an avid runner at the time, good common sense seemed to dictate that in the wintertime (when it was often way below zero from November through March), my running routine would occur indoors around the periphery of the university’s ice hockey arena.

Most of the times when I ran my usual five miles, the university hockey team was practicing in the center rink. However, on one late February afternoon, the team was out of town. There were only three of us in the ice arena on that day – myself, and a father/son duo. The dad, Jim, was a professor at the university. Jim’s son, Scott, was an eight year-old elementary student who experienced developmental disabilities and bought a very determined outlook to life.

As I moved round and round the ice rink, I kept my eye on this pair at center ice. I thought Jim was so patient as he taught Scott how to skate. Time after time, Scott would fall. And, time after time, Jim would call out: “Atta boy, Scott, you’re doing just great.”

At the end of our time at the ice arena that day, as we were changing into street shoes, and getting on our hats, coats, and gloves, I said to the dad: “Jim, I just loved watching you work with Scott. I thought you were so patient and understanding. What’s your secret?”

Jim’s reply went something like this: “Well, I’ve discovered that Scott cares about two things in life: collecting empty beer bottles with different labels and ice skating. So, when I go on trips, I bring back the empty beer bottles and he lines all of his bookshelves with them. And about the ice-skating: I’ve decided that whatever he’s passionate about, I’m going to pour it on! If he wants to learn to ice skate, I pour it on. In other words, I do everything I can to I support his passion wholeheartedly. If he wants to go on and play hockey, I will support that passion wholeheartedly. Whatever Scott is passionate about, I am going to spend whatever time is necessary to encourage that passion. Whenever I get a clue about Scott’s really strong interests, his passions, I drop everything, and I pour it on.”

Right there and then, I folded into my life what Jim called his “secular mantra.” From that moment on, I have looked for strongly defined interests in my family members, friends, and co-workers, and when I am able to clearly see that passion, I give them my support wholeheartedly. I try to figure out ways to support that passion.  I’ve accepted Jim’s words as a lifelong gift. These ten words are now a way of life for me: Find out what they’re passionate about. Then, pour it on!     

+++

How about you?

What words of wisdom from someone else have you folded into your own way of interacting with others?