Passions of the Past

I do believe that how you are raised nad the situations you find yourself in in life has an influence on the importance you place on getting involved in the community. I was raised in an extremely poor household. It was everything my mother could do to make sure we could eat and had clothes to wear to school. This situation had definite influences on how I viewed the world growing up.

Most people would believe that this background would make me more apt to go out and want to make a difference in the world and especially for those in need. On the contrary however, the years of struggle did the opposite. I was so used to watching my mother work so hard just to keep us above water that I gained a very self-centered view on the world. It was all about getting and staying ahead myself and fighting that fear of ever being in that situation again. I didn't look at how others struggled only how I was managing my life. I didn't believe it was important to get involved for the community because I never put my head up from the grind long enough to even notice them.
This all changed eventually for me when I began getting involved in the education system. I really think that as the book points out getting involved is the greatest motivator of all. Once you go out there and feel what it's like to work towards making a difference the more you want to do it.

One advantage (or skill) I had once I did finally get involved was my ability through my experiences to put myself on the other side of things. I know exactly what it feels like to never have anything new, even anything that fits. I know what it's like to stay home alone when you are way too young to be left that way because a babysitter is just too expensive.
So while my past kept me from getting involved earlier in life it has left me with definite skills and passions to work with and the ability to put myself in others shoes. I feel strongly about education for the underpriviledged and giving them an equal opprotunity. I believe that we do a disservice to our english language learning children because many times we look at them as a problem and don't see the potential in them. I know that all children should be given the opportunity to grow and become. It is the only way we can break the cycles of poverty that many today live in. These are just some of the passions that I bring with me into the community and fight to fix.
What other skills do I have to use in this arena? I have years of mangement background which helps me see a problem and think through steps to a solution. I bring an ability to communicate and well work with others. Most of all I have a passion for the community. As it said in the first couple chapters of our book it's not as much about what you say, it's about the passion that you speak with.