I’m not Batman, not literally anyways.

For as long as I can recall I have wanted to help people. I have vivid memories of this fact, and throughout my life, this has been realized in various ways. I remember as a child when I received a Batman mask, cape, and gun. I couldn’t wait to get that package opened. I quickly threw on the costume, and let my mullet drape down the back of that cape. I posed for this picture so fast I couldn’t even get both eyes inside the mask. I remember having a very similar response when I received a Ghostbusters outfit as a child, there was something magical about sliding that ghost trap across the floor. I consider myself very lucky in a lot of ways. However, it must be said that pursuing my passion to help people throughout my life is the thing that has benefitted me the most. It’s not easy to stick to the long game of that inner childhood passion, but I know how important passion is to live a fulfilled life.

When I went off to college I was certain that I would leave four years later and become a police officer. This was in spite of a few negative encounters with police officers throughout my youth. Although I took a detour from my original goal to become a police officer. I followed the advice of a college professor and pursued a path working with juveniles at the Iowa State Training School. I went on to become the Executive Director of a financial education and mentoring nonprofit,  worked in child welfare, and now I’m Executive Director of a homeless shelter. You see, I didn’t grow up to be Batman, but the desires that existed within that blond mullet still exist today.

I’m not sure what your dreams or passions were as a child. Maybe you wanted to be Batman, a firefighter, a police officer, the president, or an astronaut.  The things that we are drawn to before life fills us full of fear and self-doubt are related to our innate dreams and passions. I advise you to find a way to get back to being your own version of Batman. If you can’t do it formally through your career you have to find another avenue. There is tremendous value in incorporating your passions into your life. This can be done through hobbies, volunteerism, or coaching our youth. Take time and think about that childhood dream and try to determine what was driving the dream, then act.  You will find yourself happier and more fulfilled. “It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.”-Batman