Habili-blog 8/3/18
“Miracle Grow”
by Jared Mayes
Passion is a thing you can not teach. It’s something engrained into an individual and can often times be untapped. I used to wonder how people had such a clear picture of what they like to do and what they were good at. The only thing I knew I was good at was doing drugs and ruining precious opportunities. I have the unique pleasure of living in an environment where I can watch a broken and lost individual blossom into a driven and determined adult. It’s no secret that addiction touches the lives of almost everyone in the world in one-way shape or form. From loved ones, family members, friends, co-workers and everyone in between. If I had a dollar for every person who doesn’t know an addict I’d probably be just as broke as I was when I was homeless. When a person decides that they have had enough and are willing to make the necessary changes, a seed is planted. With the right nutrients and care a couple roots will break through the seed into the soil. Add some metaphorical water and sunlight and a sprout will begin to poke itself out of the earth and into a new life. The reality is that a lot of addicts will bow out at this point, as will the sprout. Withering away into the dirt. Those of us who choose to push through this vital stage will strengthen our roots, expand into a bud, and eventually bloom into whatever it is that we put our minds to. I’ve seen a lot of addicts come and go in my time. Some stumbled and eventually found their way, but most ended up homeless, in jail, or dead. A roll of the dice with worse odds than a low budget Vegas casino. This blog isn’t about the withered souls though. This is about the flowers that have overcome all the odds and stand strong today. The ones who live free of the grips of addiction and have found purpose. The girl who couldn’t barely get through speaking to someone in public who now can get in front of hundreds of people and melt hearts with her entrancing vocals. The guy who once stole from anyone and anything in his path who know is an accountant and in charge of ensuring money is spent responsibly. The adolescent who no one knew what to do with, who is now living self-sufficiently. The older gentleman who spent three quarters of his life behind bars who now gets the joy of taking care of his elderly mother. Passion is what drives an individual to reach out and grab a life that quite frankly they never even knew was possible. Call it the miracle-grow of our earlier floral metaphor which can give a recovered addict a life that is worth too much to ever go back to the pain and suffering of addiction. It’s a little bit of self confidence mixed with motivation. The inevitable outcome is finding something that drives you. Something that will push you to do the things you only dreamt of. Life has its roads that fork into countless paths with unknown destinations. It’s our values and morals that we choose everyday to live by that will guide us down the road to prosperity. Today I’m the guy who was homeless and addicted to heroin who now is an aspiring writer. The road I’m travelling down is one of positivity and good will. Writing is my vehicle that drives me to reaching my dreams. I challenge you to look deep. Find what moves you. Discover what you truly were meant to do and do it.