Recently I was in Southern California with the kids for spring break and we visited the Discovery Science Center in Orange County, the Cube. Here are the 2 lessons that stood out.
First- If you are passionate about something and invest your heart and soul into it, you can be successful- no matter what that passion is.
This year, the museum is celebrating everything bubbles. And by bubbles, I mean the “dip the stick in and blow” kind. With our admission we got to attend a special mega bubbles and laser show. Designed for kids, the entire front area of the stage was jammed with eager kids. The show was incredible. The bubble-tainer has been travelling and putting on shows worldwide for 20 years. He is a world record holder with two records, one for the most humans in a single bubble (over a 150) and the second for creating the largest bubble ever (like 170 or 190 feet). A very talented young man, he put on a great show, including some amazing tricks with smoke in bubbles and spinning bubbles. Wow!!
He is successful now, but I am certain that along the way he had been told (many times) that he couldn’t make a living blowing bubbles. Undoubtedly told to grow up and make something of himself. We were sure glad that he didn’t heed the naysayers. He has made a name for himself and found a way to make a living. It reminded me that, with enough passion, you can make anything into a success – even bubbles.
Second – Never stop learning.
Children’s discovery museums are amazing places, blending learning and entertainment. Kids run from exhibit to exhibit to try new things and experience the “how” and “why”. We launched rockets, discovered dinosaurs, laid on beds of nails and sorted pretend garbage, pretty exciting. At the end of the day I even had to bribe my kids to stop learning and leave (I got in the pool at 6pm and 60 degrees but we finally convinced them to leave).
The excitement and learning in their eyes and on their faces reminded me of the joy of education. I am not sure what my kids will ultimately choose to study or what fields they will pursue but the experience exposed them to new ideas. My 6 year old spent 45 minutes standing under the burner of a rocket as it pretend blasted off every 30 seconds. I couldn’t help but imagine her in a white lab coat as a real rocket headed to space.
I know I left the museum having discovered some exciting new interests and a renewed passion to follow my dream. If he can have a successful life blowing bubbles, I can be successful in anything I put my passion to- and so can you.
Question: What is your passion or hobby, maybe since youth, that you need to pursue, maybe you already are? Leave your comments below or click here.