What is your passion?

I wrote this for an article in Fuzzfurr in 2006.

What is your Passion?

By Jodi Jones

November 2006

Each one of us has a fire in our heart for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit. – Mary Lou Retton

What do you want your legacy to be?  Although I don’t generally like to think of my impending death, I found the question intriguing and it didn’t take me very long to discover my response: for people to say, “I am a better person for having known her.” To some that might seem like a lofty goal, but I would never be satisfied by having low aspirations. I do not shoot for mediocrity.  I am not a mediocre person; I will not settle for a mediocre life.  Having an extraordinary life is what I want.

Everyone is motivated, inspired, and driven by something.  Some people are driven by power, money, success, evil, hatred, love, religion, marriage, children, God, or family.  At age 85, legendary artist Michelangelo said, “Ancora Imparo” which means “I am still learning.”  How inspiring to know that someone as remarkable as Michelangelo would say that, when others consider him to be a “genius”.  Learning has always been a passion of mine.  Everyday I strive to learn something new and grow as a person. 

Opening the minds of others to a new thought, idea, opinion, or viewpoint is one of the best feelings.  It is truly rewarding when someone says, “I never thought of it that way.”  Wherever I end up in life, I aim to make a difference to and for others.   I want to open people’s minds; broaden their horizons; change their perspectives; make them think differently; and inspire them to want to learn.

Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living” which is truer than people think.  Why do we believe what we do? Why do we feel as we do? Why do we want what we do?  We should know why – or at least want to know why.  We should be able to defend all of our opinions, thoughts, and beliefs.  Why are you who you are? 

I am puzzled by those who wish to remain the same forever; those who do the same thing over and over expecting different a different result; those who believe the same things as someone else but do not know why. If you look at the world at 40 the same way you did when you were 20, then you have wasted 20 years.  Personal growth and profound knowledge are goals set deep in my soul. Certainly I have other goals, but all other goals come from that deep urge to learn, love, and inspire.  I want it for myself and for others.  I want people to want to think for themselves, not to be led by others.  I want them to know why they feel as they do, why they want what they do, and why they hold the opinions they do. 

If I can for a single moment give someone else a thought they never had, and if I am able to open their minds about something – anything at all – then I have absolutely helped them grow and become a better person… simply by having known them.

“While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow part of us to die – whether it is our spirit, our creativity, or our glorious uniqueness” – Gilda Radner

Bush administration vs veterans

Bush Administration cuts $1.5 billion from military family housing. The Bush Administration cut $1.5 billion for military family housing, despite Department of Defense statistics showing that in 83,000 barracks and 128,860 family housing units across the country are below standard. ("Nothing But Lip Service," Army Times, June 30, 2003; "House Appropriations Committee Approves $59.2 Million for Ft. Hood," U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards Press Release, June 17, 2003)

Bush Administration underfunded veterans' health care by $2 billion. The Bush Administration's 2004 budget underfunded veterans' health care by nearly $2 billion. ("Vets Health Low on Bush's Priority List," The Hill, September 17, 2003; "Support for Troops Questioned," Washington Post, June 17, 2003; U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs, September 2002)

Bush Administration proposal would end health care benefits for 173,000 veterans. More than 173,000 veterans across the country would be cut off from health care because of Bush Administration proposed budget cuts and its plan requiring enrollment fees and higher out-of-pocket costs. ("Support for Troops Questioned," Washington Post, June 17, 2003)

Bush Administration budget cuts force more than 200,000 veterans to wait for health care. Over 200,000 United States veterans have to wait more than six months for a medical visit because of health care shortages. ("VA Health Care Funding Alert," Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Press Release, January 31, 2003)

Bush Administration opposed plan to give National Guard and Reserve Members access to health insurance. Despite the war efforts of America's National Guard and Reserve Members, the Bush Administration announced in October 2003 its formal opposition to give the 1.2 million Guard and Reserve members the right to buy health care coverage through the Pentagon's health plan. One out of every five Guard members lacks health insurance. ("Bush Opposes Health Plan for National Guard," Gannett News Service, October 23, 2003)

Bush Administration cuts $172 million allotted for educating the children of military personnel. The Bush Administration's 2004 budget cut $172 million of impact aid funding. Impact aid funding assists school districts by making up for lost local tax revenue from tax-exempt property, such as military bases. These education cuts will especially affect school-age children of troops serving in Iraq who reside on military bases. ("Support for Troops Questioned," Washington Post, June 17, 2003)