Passion Project Week 2: Scriptures and Avatar

A mentor reached out this week to ask how I was doing. I said,

"Pushing the envelope and trying to make big things happen. So, naturally I'm reframing anxiety everyday."

When it comes to trying to make dreams happen, I believe that anything is possible - for other people. I believe that they can move mountains, make connections, and accomplish their dreams if they are willing to work hard enough. I see them use the tools of the trade and then I see them doing all the things they said they would. It is totally rad.

But when it comes to my own dreams and goals, I somehow miss the boat. It's like I think all the wonderful thoughts, but I forgot my pixie dust or something, so I never really fly.

This time, however, as I work to create meaningful opportunities for young people all over the globe (eventually), I'm letting faith lead the way.

I have faith. I mean, I just told, you I believe big, but I also have doubts: Am I working hard enough? Am I talking with the right contacts? Did that email present the information in the right way? Will there be enough (of everything) for the future? Am I doing what God wants me to do?

As I pondered on these doubts and what to share in the journal entry for the week, I thought of a beautiful moment in chapter 9 of the Book of Mark in the Bible. It's that moment where a desperate father who desires healing for his son comes to Jesus and says if Jesus can do anything, will he heal his son (paraphrasing here). The Lord says he will heal the boy if the father believes.

The father declares, "I believe. Help thou my unbelief".

Another example of trust that came to mind comes from Avatar the Last Airbender. In this one episode, the main character Aang meets with a guru who is going to teach him how he can reach his full potential and unlock his power called the Avatar state. Aang must learn how to accept and let go of his mistakes, his fears, his love, his disappointment, and his attachment to the things he thinks matter most. Aang struggles with the last piece until he learns that everything he lets go will return to him in the most powerful and positive forms.

With these interesting and yet parallel examples in mind, I find myself pleading with God to help my unbelief. Pleading for faith to know that my daily effort is enough. For faith that His promises are sure. Faith to make one more phone call or send one more email. Faith to ask questions and trust that I'll get an answer. Faith to make mistakes. Faith in the process and waiting for faith to be fulfilled.

There is no end date on this project. No deadline. I have given myself an end date, but that's just best practices. For now, I'll keep pushing towards that deadline with faith. I will also work to keep my hands and heart open for what comes and accept if it goes.

Here's the short list of things I've learned this week:

• Prayer is an action word.

• Action is based in faith that something will happen.

• Letting go doesn't mean giving up.

• Life is better when I sing show tunes at the top of my lungs (I am here - The Color Purple; Waving through Window - Dear Evan Hansen; Any song from Godspel).

• Dancing with your oldest teenager is really fun, especially when she pretends to hate it.

• Potential partners seem more interested if you ask them for feedback instead of you telling them how much they need your product.

• Eye gazing with your spouse will make most issues go away.

• God loves my ideas, but he loves me more.

As of today, 3 October 2025, my marketing/networking stats are as follows:

CONTACTS

21

MEETINGS

5

CURRENT PARTICIPANTS

0/100

Note: my goal is to have 100 participants in six months for the course Personal Development for Professional Success

Catch you next week,

Slade