As a semi-professional musician, I am sometimes complemented on my talent. I am always grateful and humbled by these comments. Sometimes people will say that they wish they could do what I do, but music isn’t their thing. As much as I love music and am grateful that I am lucky enough to perform music and bring joy to people, I am equally amazed at all the multitude of talents shared by people. I am in awe of the marvelous buildings designed by engineers and architects, I am humbled by paintings and drawings that make me feel that I can step into the canvas and enter another world. I am amazed to read the books of great authors that describe their story in a way that makes me believe that I lived it and I am equally amazed by craftsmanship of carpenters and welders that design the infrastructure of our society.
I attended the National Honor Society Installation ceremony at my local high school last night. The keynote speaker discussed leadership. During his discussion, he talked about passion for what we do as one of the paramount aspects of leadership. We all need to ask ourselves if we get out of bed everyday excited that we get to make a living doing something that we love. If that answer is no, we all need to keep searching.
4-H is an avenue for youth to start the search for their talent and passion. 4-H affords members the opportunity to explore all avenues of talent under the umbrella of a structured community and caring adults. Potential projects cover the gamut of all avenues of talent from Aerospace to woodworking. Examples include art, astronomy, citizenship, child development, communications, computer, conservation, entomology, health, music, photography, and many more. The traditional projects for home, farm and agriculture still exist and are strong, but 4-H is much more than sows and plows. 4-H is about building young leaders, young citizens and young adults with the passion for their talents.
For young people in grades 4th- 8th it is never too late to join 4-H. If you would like to start the search for your talents and passion or you know of a young person that you would like to help in that search, contact Tina at the Buchanan County Extension Office and she will help you to find your community of excellence.
If you are interested in this topic or topics related to Business and Industry, Community Economic Development, Continuing Education, Crops, Horticulture, Environment, Farm Management, Finances, Food, Nutrition and Health, Livestock, or Yard and Garden, call us at 319-334-7161. You can also email us at xbuchanan@iastate.edu or visit website at www.extension.iastate.edu/buchanan.
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