Which is best: Wisdom or Passion?

Rising to the Challenge

“My earliest recollection of having and acting on a dream happened when I was a 10-year-old farm kid in Ohio,” remembers Miller. “My mom had canned and frozen all the sweet corn needed to provide for our family of seven for the coming year. But I saw the remaining ears of corn in that big garden and those that were continuing to fill out. With Dad’s permission I got up early one morning and began picking those big, juicy ears of corn.

“I filled the little red trailer I had connected behind our Ford tractor. With the trailer bursting with those ears still covered by the morning dew, I drove the two miles up the dirt road to where it intersected with the paved road that headed into town. I parked so all traffic could easily see me, and I set up my little sign: ‘Fresh Sweet Corn - 30 Cents a Dozen.’ And thus I was introduced to the world of providing a product and expecting a fair exchange of money."

Passing on the Legacy

Jared Angaza grew up differently. He didn’t need to go out and make money. Instead, “I was raised in a family that encouraged me to dream big and follow that dream. We were taught that anything is possible. With that belief, I’ve traveled all over the United States and spent the last six years living in East Africa.”

That’s not to say he wasn’t taught to achieve: “I started my first business at 13 years old,” he recalls. Much of his childhood spare time was devoted to racing BMX bikes – off-road dirt bicycles -- with his family. “We were at the top of our game, and we absolutely loved racing,” he remembers. “Consequently, I knew a lot about the mechanics of a bike. So I started my own neighborhood bicycle repair company. I put flyers on mailboxes and offered free pickup and delivery (by foot). Over the course of a summer, I made my first $500. I used that to put toward my first car.”

Dan and Jared are father and son

Today at age 33, Jared lives in Mombasa, Kenya, with his wife, Ilea. Citing their love for Africa, they decided to take the Swahili surname Angaza, which means “to bring light.” Jared is a bit of a passionate dreamer.

“Yes, his mom and I were supportive of that decision” to abandon his family name, says Miller, “as we are of all the things that allow Jared to be fully alive. When Jared was a teenager, we, as parents, would make him empty his pockets before going to downtown Nashville with his friends for the evening. We knew whatever he had he would give away before coming home. Not that it would be spent on candy or trinkets for himself. Rather he would give it to people who obviously needed it more than he did. One Christmas I carefully selected a really cool leather jacket I knew he would love. A couple nights later I noticed he came home without it. Upon questioning, Jared simply shared that he saw a guy with no coat. He knew he had several more at home, so why wouldn’t he give it to someone who had none?”

A Changing Generation

“So many people in my generation were raised to believe that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs was the only formula for success,” writes Jared.

He is referring to a 1943 theory based on a study of “exemplary people” such as Albert Einstein, Jane Addams, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Frederick Douglass – attempting to explain why they achieved while others do not. Was it a passion for their work? The theory is that most people focus on their most basic needs, such as clothing, shelter, food, air and water. The theory suggests that such needs must be met before the individual can focus on higher needs, such as helping others or striving for excellence. Jared disagrees. Passion is more important.

What to Do with Such a Son?

Without a doubt, Jared is filled with the idealism of youth. Will it be tempered with age? In Wisdom Meets Passion: When Generations Collide and Collaborate, the authors say it is possible to “accomplish your greatest financial goals, experience the thrill of fulfilling relationships, create meaningful work, and complete your purpose and calling here on earth no matter which age group you represent.”

They point to celebrities who have chased their passions. Angelina Jolie visits a Jordanian tent city for refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria. Brad Pitt endorses national politicians. Irish singer Bono works to end the HIV epidemic sweeping Africa.

Follow your dream

If your child has vision and a talent, don’t ignore it. At least that’s the lesson learned by singer-songwriter Sydney Rose whose pop single, “Breaking Rules,” hit the Top 40 chart recently. She says she tried to put her dream on hold – and couldn’t. “I’ve been in love with music all my life,” says Rose. “I’ve learned it’s an important part of who I am and you can’t ignore that, no matter what your age.”

Rose grew up honing her singing and performance skills. When she graduated from high school, she decided it was best to put her dream on a back burner. “I was afraid,” she says. “I wanted to experience college without the pressure of a music career. “But I actually felt more pressure without my dream -- and I knew I had to nurture that passion that is so a part of me.”

Wisdom tempers passion

She offers tips for others who are determined to follow their dreams:

Get your support team together. Whether it’s parents, other family members, friends or teachers, you’ll need people who encourage and help guide you. Their wisdom will help temper your passion. Coaches, mentors or instructors can help you improve – because no matter what your talent and how much of it you’ve got, you can always expand your abilities with help. Depending on your age, that may require financial and transportation support. “The more skills you have, the better, so I also started working on dance when I was 13 years old. No matter what type of creative talent you have – singing, acting, writing or painting – if you want to become a professional, you need training.” Anyone who is supportive in your life, including friends, other family members and teachers, are reminders of why dreams matter to you.

Pursue that passion!

Have fun! “If I’m going to do this for the rest of my life, I have to have an amazing time. Right?” she says. No matter what you’re doing, your true emotions tend to color your work – they’re hard to hide, so work with them.

Set realistic goals. You may dream of being in the movies or on TV, but don’t expect to start there! “I happily performed at bar mitzvahs, book stores, electronics stores, and at my vocal school,” Sydney says. “These were great opportunities to get used to being in front of live audiences and learning how to interact with the audience.” The smaller goals are there for you to reach the bigger ones – Rome was not built overnight, she says. Those who are supportive will remind you of the big picture.

Nurture that Passion!

“At the beginning of each year, we all think about setting big goals,” write Miller and Angaza. “And rightfully so. Think big. But don’t get stuck hoping to be the next Taylor Swift when you’re not willing to play tonight’s gig down at the local pizza shop.” Billionaire real estate investor and media figure Donald Trump got his start collecting discarded soda bottles for the deposit money. He retrieved empty Pepsi, Coke, 7-Up, Nehi and other soda bottles and took them to the nearby grocery store where he was paid two cents per bottle. Are you willing to start so low? Look where it got Trump. Michael Dell, founder of Dell Computers, washed dishes at a Chinese restaurant before hitting it big with his computers. Years of hard work made it happen – as he followed his passion. Johnny Depp donned makeup for a gig in a KISS tribute band as a young performer. Back then he often made about $25 a night; today he makes much more than $25 million a year. He was willing to do what it takes. Are you?