Finding Passion in Hawaii
Author: John L. Jenkins

"THERE ARE ENORMOUS RESERVES OF PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPIRITUAL STRENGTH DEEP DOWN WITHIN EACH OF US. THE CHALLENGE IS TO KNOW HOW TO TAP IN AND IGNITE THESE RESERVES."

What do the words, "Hawaii, Sandy Beach, and Passion" have in common with "Bodysurfing, Panic and Drowning"?

While on vacation with my wife, Virginia, in her home state of Hawaii some years ago we were enjoying some of the typical island activities. On a particular day we spent the morning snorkeling among the some of the most beautiful tropical fish you can imagine at Hanauma Bay. After lunch we went to the beach at Makapuu. My wife was tired from the morning's adventures and laid down on the beach to take a nap. The ocean beckoned to me and I went back into the water to do some body surfing. I was having so much fun and not paying particular attention to anything but the oncoming waves when suddenly I found myself tired, farther out than I should have been, and getting pummeled by crashing waves.

The next few minutes consist of mere memory flashes. The first picture is of being beneath the churning, bubbling water that left me so disoriented that I found it nearly impossible to know which way was “up.?The second picture is of finally surfacing and seeing the next wave already crashing upon me in an attempt to snatch the life-giving air from me. Over and over this cycle continued for what felt like hours. Despair and hopelessness began to blanket me like a thick, black, heavy cloak.

Suddenly a third picture appeared in my mind. It was the picture of my wife and children - without a father and husband. I still remember a sort of prayer I offered where I said, "Oh, don't let me die in Hawaii - of all places. Virginia would never forgive me for dying here!"

This third image aroused an intense desire inside me - a passion, to fight back with renewed effort and get back to dry land. My focus was singular: I'm not going to drown in Hawaii. The image’s intensity seemed to blast away the black cloak through some internal energy burst.

After what seemed like an eternal struggle, and with the help of a fellow swimmer, I made it back to shore. Never again have I felt the excitement that I experienced in planting my feet on solid ground like I did that day. I dragged myself up and collapsed exhausted on the hot, dry sand and had a mini celebration of life.

Each one of you has had a “Makapuu-like experience in your life ?a time when “the going got tough?and you found yourself in “over your head? in turbulent waters. In these circumstances our “normal strength? begins to wane until we feel helpless and hopeless ?the blanket of doubt and despair begins to weigh us down. The key is to know that there are enormous reserves of physical, mental, and spiritual strength deep down within each of us. It’s the way we were designed ?we all have it. The challenge is to know how to tap in and ignite these reserves.

The answer is to have a “why?- a reason to accomplish the task, a way to develop a true passion to succeed. You can do anything if you have a strong enough passion.

Passion is the secret something that has given men and women in all the ages the power to overcome the same negative feelings that you and I face and enabled them to achieve great success. It's what’s required for all great achievements ?including those that you and I will undertake.

Find the “why?and you'll develop the passion to succeed in everything you do.

?Copyright 2000 John L. Jenkins








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John L. Jenkins is a husband, father of five children, and manager at a research and development facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He has over 15 years experience in developing and implementing various types of training programs. He has over 20 years of volunteer experience teaching and counseling youth and adults through religious and community affiliations. He is a member and club officer in Toastmasters International.

Two of John’s greatest passions are public speaking and freelance writing on personal development and performance improvement topics. Speaking and writing topics include: Self Worth, The Power of Language, Goal Setting, Managing Change, Using Imagination, Gaining Vision, Finding Your Passion, Continuous Learning, Strengthening Desire, The Need for Hope, and Integrity.

Please email at jenkfam@cyberhighway.com

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