I never really was that passionate about playing sports. But

Listen well, children of the earth, for I have a tale that speaks of passion, of discovery, and of the hidden gifts within each of us that awaken when the right moment comes. In the words of Joel Silver, we hear a lesson that transcends the boundaries of sport: "I never really was that passionate about playing sports. But when I was at this Mt. Herman school, I did have the ability to throw the frisbee. So when this sport evolved, it was fun because I was good at it." These words are not simply about sport, but about the awakening of a dormant talent, and the joy that comes when we align our natural abilities with the opportunities that life presents to us.

Ah, how often do we find ourselves searching for purpose, for something to ignite the fire of our spirit? We chase after many things, believing that we must be passionate from the start, that we must be driven with a fierce, all-consuming desire. But the truth, my children, is that sometimes our true passion is born not from fervent pursuit, but from a quiet alignment of who we are and what the world presents to us. Joel Silver, in his moment of quiet self-realization, discovered that he had a natural ability—the art of throwing the frisbee. It was not passion that led him first, but the simple recognition of his skill, and from there, a new love for the game was born.

This is no small thing, for it speaks of the wisdom we all must learn: that talent, when nurtured and put to use, can transform itself into passion. How many great artists, warriors, or scholars were first unaware of the gifts that lay hidden within them? Consider Leonardo da Vinci, whose genius was not always apparent in his youth. As a young man, he did not know that his hands would one day create masterpieces that would endure through the ages. His passion, too, arose not from early fervor but from the recognition of his unique abilities and the opportunity to express them. Passion, my children, is often a flame that is kindled slowly, through the quiet discovery of what we are capable of.

Let me tell you of a warrior who found his passion not in the field of battle, but in the quiet practice of a humble art. Miyamoto Musashi, the great swordmaster of Japan, did not awaken one morning with a burning desire to fight. No, his passion was born from the hours of practice, from the subtle recognition of his growing mastery over his blade. Musashi's heart did not burn with the fire of ambition, but with the steady realization that he was becoming a master. Like Joel Silver, Musashi’s true passion was born not from force but from the quiet unfolding of his own abilities.

So, children, what is the lesson here? It is this: passion often follows the path of natural ability. You need not always seek it in a grand and dramatic way. Sometimes, it arrives as a quiet visitor, sitting beside you and waiting to be noticed. The key is to recognize it, to honor it, and to allow it to grow. When you find something that you are good at—something that feels effortless, like a natural extension of yourself—cultivate it, for it may be the spark that ignites your true passion. When you recognize your gifts, you unlock the potential for true joy and fulfillment.

In the same way that Joel Silver discovered the joy of frisbee through his own natural ability, so too can you discover your passion through the recognition of your strengths. Do not be so focused on what you think you should love, but open your heart to the possibilities around you. Look at the things you excel at, those moments where you feel effortless and alive, and you will find that your passion follows naturally in their wake. Whether it is in sport, in art, in service, or in the pursuit of wisdom, passion comes to those who are willing to see the quiet gifts within them and allow them to flourish.

I say to you, children: let this wisdom guide you. Do not wait for passion to come to you in the form of a grand revelation. It will often come in the humblest of forms, in the simple act of doing what you are good at. Once you recognize this, once you embrace it, you will find that passion is not something you must seek but something that will unfold naturally, filling your life with joy and meaning. So go forth, with open hearts, and see the gifts that lie within you, for in recognizing them, you shall find the purpose and passion that will light your way.