Do What You Love

professor · Post by **professor** » 19 Nov 2006 12:41

"All Things Considered - July 24, 2006

I believe that people should take pride in what they do, even if it is scorned or misunderstood by the public at large.

I have been a professional skateboarder for 24 years. For much of that time, the activity that paid my rent and gave me my greatest joy was tagged with many labels, most of which were ugly. It was a kids' fad, a waste of time, a dangerous pursuit, a crime.

When I was about 17, three years after I turned pro, my high school "careers" teacher scolded me in front of the entire class about jumping ahead in my workbook. He told me that I would never make it in the workplace if I didn't follow directions explicitly. He said I'd never make a living as a skateboarder, so it seemed to him that my future was bleak.

Even during those dark years, I never stopped riding my skateboard and never stopped progressing as a skater. There have been many, many times when I've been frustrated because I can't land a maneuver. I've come to realize that the only way to master something is to keep at it -- despite the bloody knees, despite the twisted ankles, despite the mocking crowds.

Skateboarding has gained mainstream recognition in recent years, but it still has negative stereotypes. The pro skaters I know are responsible members of society. Many of them are fathers, homeowners, world travelers and successful entrepreneurs. Their hairdos and tattoos are simply part of our culture, even when they raise eyebrows during PTA meetings.

So here I am, 38 years old, a husband and father of three, with a lengthy list of responsibilities and obligations. And although I have many job titles -- CEO, Executive Producer, Senior Consultant, Foundation Chairman, Bad Actor -- the one I am most proud of is "Professional Skateboarder." It's the one I write on surveys and customs forms, even though I often end up in a secondary security checkpoint.

My youngest son's pre-school class was recently asked what their dads do for work. The responses were things like, "My dad sells money" and "My dad figures stuff out." My son said, "I've never seen my dad do work."

It's true. Skateboarding doesn't seem like real work, but I'm proud of what I do. My parents never once questioned the practicality behind my passion, even when I had to scrape together gas money and regarded dinner at Taco Bell as a big night out.

I hope to pass on the same lesson to my children someday. Find the thing you love. My oldest son is an avid skater and he's really gifted for a 13-year-old, but there's a lot of pressure on him. He used to skate for endorsements, but now he brushes all that stuff aside. He just skates for fun and that's good enough for me.

You might not make it to the top, but if you are doing what you love, there is much more happiness there than being rich or famous."

-Tony Hawk

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=5568583

Just thought this relates to many of us....

sen · Post by **sen** » 19 Nov 2006 16:19

Thanks for posting that Ben. I enjoyed and think there is alot that footbaggers can agree with in that. I'm pretty proud of myself for figuring out it was Tony talking long before getting to the end. He rocks. And makes great games. *goes to play TH:DHJ on DS*

RawSko · Post by **RawSko** » 19 Nov 2006 18:44

great find, Ben! I really enjoyed that

I also guessed that it was Tony Hawk before I read his name at the end

... that might be because I don't really know any other big skatebording names though.

thanks, Ben!

gMoney · Post by **gMoney** » 19 Nov 2006 19:12

not to be pessimistic or anything, but there is kind of a downside to that. i have a friend, and instead of going to college he's living with his parents and trying to get his rock band into the spot light. the problem is they really suck. its kinda sad to think that he's throwing his life away for a dream he's probably never going to fulfill, and that he's going to get hit by reality hard and swift. follow your dreams, but know your limits. commit yourself to be the best you can be, dont just think that you can be lazy and not practice and still be good.

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 19 Nov 2006 20:18

Wow, thanks for that article Ben, inspiring!

professor · Post by **professor** » 19 Nov 2006 20:26

No problem! My mom is the one who gave me this article so you can thank her. She thought it really exemplified how I feel about footbag (and it does).

FYI: If you want to hear Tony Hawk read his essay, just click on the listen button at the top of the linked page.

gMoney · Post by **gMoney** » 20 Nov 2006 15:56

sry if i sounded like a downer in that last post i... posted, but that really was inspiring and thanks for putting it up