The Importance Of My Passion In My Life

One of my main passions in life is music. But I haven’t always been sure that music is the right choice for me. Multiple times since I picked up a clarinet for the first time in fifth grade, I have doubted that I should continue in my school's band program. It was challenging, time consuming, and after all, I didn’t want to play clarinet in the first place. I originally wanted to play the flute, but that dream was quickly shot down during my instrument fitting. It was suggested that I try my hand at clarinet since it appeared to come more naturally to me. So after some deliberation and coaxing from my family, I took the plunge. I had no way of knowing much of an impact that small decision would eventually make on my life.

When I was just five years old I had my very first experience with a musical instrument. My older brother, Kevin, had brought a clarinet home to practice it in preparation for his weekly private lessons. Once he entered the sixth grade and joined his middle school’s band I became more and more familiar with music as I attended every one of his concerts. Always intrigued but never fascinated, not once did I think that I would one day pick up an instrument of my own. As my brother quickly became a proficient clarinet player, he was selected to perform in one of the California Band Director’s Association Allstate Bands every year. I noticed the improvement in my brother’s performances as he got older and I wondered if I would be able to perform like him one day. Soon after, my family consisting of my mother, father, and brother, moved to the far away land of Georgia. One year after settling down in Marietta, Georgia, I entered the fourth grade at East Side Elementary school. It was my turn to choose an instrument because my brother had begun to play his instrument in the fourth

Passion Project was something I was scared for, yet I was excited to see what would happen in the year-long process. My Passion Project was Hunger in Northern Illinois. I wanted to know more about hunger in my community, and was eager to try to help solve the problem. My essential question for my research was, how can we decrease the amount of people suffering in Northern Illinois effectively? I chose this as my passion project because of my motivation to be able to directly help people in doing my food drive as my final product. I also have spent a lot of time in the city, and have seen many people homeless and hungry on the streets, so I wanted to be able to help them. I also had been to Northern Illinois Food Bank, the organization I donated

In the first grade, I picked up a clarinet. It was my sister’s, collecting dust while waiting for me to play it. From the moment I produced my first sound, an ear-piercing squeal that frightened my dog, the path of my life took a turn for the better. I began teaching myself for the following three years, along with learning from my sister how to properly play the beautiful instrument. The music pushed me out of my comfort zone: concerts that forced me onstage, tests that made me play difficult songs, and teachers that pushed me to be an exceptional player. From the shy elementary school student I used to be to the outgoing band member I take joy in being today, music has shaped my everyday life.

I can remember the moment when I decided that I would become a musician. I was at a summer music program that I didn’t really want to be at, sitting in a room that was filled with the scent of insulation. I was sitting on one of the many blue cushioned chairs in the room/. The instructors went around the hall, asking other children how old they were and what instrument they played. Everyone seemed to know each other already, chewing at the bit to be let on the stage to grab their preferred instrument and play the little music that they already knew with their friends. I felt left out, as I didn’t have an instrument that I could call my own. When the instructor finally got to me, he asked my age, name, and what I played, just like he had to

My name is Sai Janaki, and as part of my purpose, I will encourage, support, teach, help, guide, and love the people in my life. I believe that challenge makes you a better person. I always strive to be the best version of myself, and achieve my goals through dedication, diligent work, confidence, and patience.

My parents separated when my brothers were nine and seven, and I was five years old. My grandparents live on the same street and developed a close bond with us. They felt music would be a good outlet for emotional stress. Benjamin and Nicholas started taking lessons for piano and guitar. I started playing violin through my elementary school. As middle school was approaching, Nicholas was considering playing in the school band, but guitar would not be a suitable instrument. My grandfather’s friend, Mr. Phil, said we could borrow his saxophone. It was a Tuesday night in the year 2009. Nicholas and I rode our bikes down to our grandparents so he could test out the classic saxophone. He picked it out and blew pure cacophony in the air. I laughed as he grew red in the face from blasting squeaks and squeals. After he set it down, nodding his head pridefully from the noises he produced from this big metal instrument I excitedly asked if i could try. My grandpa was impressed with my curiosity and encouraged me to give it a whirl. I put on the neck strap and connected it onto the heavy instrument. Nicholas

“Oh, you would make a lovely flute player!” countless people told me when I explained about joining band. I ignored them though, because my mind had been made up long ago. Percussion was the only section for me. I crept in on that first day, nervous as could be. What if I didn’t fit in? What if I wasn’t as talented as the rest of them? Luckily for me, I saw a familiar face right away- Austin Britton. He had been in my homeroom in sixth grade, and had been very kind to me. Of course, being himself he immediately tried to sell me some crap about all these crazy strict rules they had in band, but I saw right through it. Everyone else was surprisingly welcome, a characteristic I hadn’t experienced with many other people in public school so far. I immediately felt right at home. Fast forward another year, and eighth grade is upon me, bringing another band year with it. I was definitely in my element, I even tried out for district band and made it! I spent an entire day in November of that year rehearsing with other students from the surrounding area, and was able to help give an amazing concert that same night. It was one of the most enriching experiences of my life so far. By the end of middle school, I knew for sure this is where I

Ever since i was little, I’d always had the dream of growing up and being successful. No matter if it’s getting going to an Ivy League college or just simply being good at something . In Sixth grade, I was introduced to band. I had always admire musician because they were always known to be talented. We were able to try playing different instruments and then make a final choice of what we would like to play. Without any hesitation I tried and picked the flute. Like most people, I couldn’t get a sound out of a flute for the first time. I picked the flute because I believe band could be a good start for me to develop a talent, the sound of a flute is pretty, and the instrument looks elegante. During the first day, we were taught how

One decision can have the power to completely change your life forever. In the sixth grade, I almost never started my music career because I was too afraid of not fitting in. But this decision would have left me as a different person than I am today; a person that I wouldn’t want to be. Since that time, I have continued playing music for seven years now. With the help of my high school music teachers and my family, I have been able to continue on my musical journey. Music is now the biggest part of my life, which is why I’d like to

You do not necessarily have to make a career out of your passion, but if you do, that’s even better. Many people confuse the two. They feel if they do not put there all into their passion or their plans do not go as planned, they have failed. The average person is not doing what they truly love. How many times do you hear people complain about their job, dread going to work or cannot wait to leave their job? How many college students change their major numerous times? It is a very common conversation. Some people just do not know and that’s okay. There are people that are doing exactly what they have always wanted to do and they still complain. It just goes to show that sometimes you think you know what you want, but it really turns out to be nothing you ever hoped for. The key is to find a way to fulfill your passion so you do not resent yourself for the choices you had to

Passion is when a person feels strong love, fondness, or desire for something. To be completely in love with something, to put your entire heart and soul in something you love. That passion for me is music. Fellow classmates often wished they had joined the music program at an early age, and feel like they can’t do it in highschool because “it’s too late to learn an instrument.” But, to all my classmates that aren’t in the music program, I highly encourage it. Even if they don’t know how to keep a beat, I feel like music is something everyone can benefit from. Everyone should consider getting involved because music helps you find a part of yourself, you didn’t even know existed. It’s such a beautiful thing that educates you on communicating.

My whole life, people have been telling me to find my passion. Relatives calling me only to ask if I decided which college to go to. Cousins texting if I need help starting my application. Parents and siblings constantly pounding deadlines and expectations into my head. I learned to block them out. Every time the subject came up, I managed to conjure up the strength to mumble an okay where it seemed necessary. Once in awhile, I needed to escape the deadlines, pressure, stress. I went to the only thing that could help calm me. I went to my books, my safe haven.

It took me an entire year to be able to walk across a balance beam. Despite my best efforts, I never will regain the same abilities I had lost. However, I gained some things too. I have learned that I can overcome many things, regardless of my own limitations. Music is one of them. Music is one of my sanctuaries, one of the things that makes me feel content. I also adore making music. When I was in fourth grade I wanted to play the clarinet. I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to learn because of my hearing loss. Regardless, this was one thing I would not lose, and I didn’t have to. I’ve been playing the clarinet for nine years, and am self-taught on the flute and saxophone. I decided to join marching band in ninth grade. After the second day in band camp, I came home in tears because my ear and my balance made it too hard for me to march and play at the same time. I wanted to do marching band, but I couldn’t bear to watch myself fail because of something I can’t control. My mother told me I could quit if I still wanted to after the week was up, because she knew that if I didn’t try I would regret it, and she was right. I know that my life would be one way, but it has gone a completely different

In reading the segment on Understanding You Passion, the author says “you can only discover what ignites your passion and the passion of those around you.” I think it’s important to note that the author also says that “you can’t manufacture passion or motivate people to feel passionate.” This is an important distinction because passion, as it relates to business, is a zero sum game. True passion is, and always has been, the catalyst for innovation, not the other way around. “Innovation. Its catalyst is passion—a combination of imagination and persistence that inspires certain people to look forward and go beyond what is. It is the process of looking at the world through a different lens to find solutions to big problems.” (IIT, 2014)