Do What You Love
As I scrolled through the different essays of This I believe, I stumbled across an essay from one of my childhood heroes, and I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to hear Tony Hawk speak on his career as a professional skateboarder. In conjunction with his clothing line and popular video game series, Hawk is most known for his triumphant career in skateboarding, a skill that some brush off as a childhood activity, but one he and many others have transformed into a lifelong career and outlet for personal expression.
I really resonated with this story for a number of reasons, particularly because Hawk’s path in life reminded me of my fathers. Hawk writes, “The pro skaters I know are responsible members of society. Many of them are fathers, homeowners, world travelers and successful entrepreneurs. Their hairdos and tattoos are simply part of our culture, even when they raise eyebrows during PTA meetings.” I couldn’t help but think of my dad at those meetings, covered in tattoos and piercings on the surface, but filled with concern for his child just as those around him were. I remember the hesitance and accusation in my elementary school teachers eyes when he would come in for career day, and the contrary excitement of my friends when he’d give them line sheets to color in.
The overarching theme in Hawk’s essay was especially important to me because it reaffirms my belief that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. It’s easy to argue that skateboarding isn’t a real job, but your gift is what you’re paid for, and your calling is what you’re made for. To squander your gift and ignore your calling for an easier shot at life is a life half lived. For me, the last line of Hawk’s essay says it all.
“You might not make it to the top, but if you are doing what you love, there is much more happiness there than being rich or famous.”
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