I don't know.

When you're passionate about something, you get so into it, yes? But what about the people around you; the people who watch you in the "act" of pursuing this passion? Sometimes your passions don't coincide with what other people like, or what other people's passions are. But should that stop you from continuing the pursuit of your passion?

I don't know.

You see, my passion is music. I'm a guitarist, no less. But why is it some people feel I should stop playing guitar? One higher than me believes that my guitar-playing is none but annoying. Well why should that stop me?

Because it was my mother.

But even at that, should it stop me from pursuing my passion? Should it halt me in the effort of continuing to grow in this ever changing world of music? To that I say, "no."

Even if it is a family member who is blocking your path, you can't let them stop you. You see, the world is full of people who will try to get in the way. Their reasons can all be different, but still the same.

I've encountered many who envy me for my talents. They do not wish for me to continue this pursuit.

To these people, I quote a Chinese Proverb, "He who strikes the first blow admits he's lost the argument."

I've encountered many arrogant people who believe only in what they say, and not accept the other person's viewpoint. They do not wish for me to continue.

To these people, I quote Aristotle, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."

A lot of people in this world, if not most, are simply arrogant. They can not, and will not accept the other side of an argument. Why is this? Their mind is so fixated on themselves that they forget the world revolves around everyone. Yes, everyone.

I always thought of the term, "There's no I in team," to be a corny little statement. But it makes a lot of sense. Although it was probably developed for young ones to understand that teamwork is always the best way to go, I have to say it makes you think.

In a less corny, or more diverse way of explaining it, "If you're going to make something work in this world, you're going to need more than yourself. No one person possesses all the knowledge of the world--but only a piece of it."

That is why you work as a team. You bring together all kinds of different people who know different things that will all lead to the one thing: your goal.

But the point here is that there will always be people who don't care for you. They think they can live their life without others. Well they won't be able to. They won't make it.

I'm not saying my mother is arrogant. I'm not saying she's a bad person. I'm saying that even someone as close as a mother can be a minor blockage to your pursuit.

But don't let that stop you. Always continue on your pursuit. Always finish what you started. And never give up.

As for me, it took me years to find this out. Granted, I am only sixteen, but this can actually help others in the future, I suppose.

Don't do like I did and just let things pass you by. I used to say, "I don't know," all the time. No. Learn from my mistakes--should you consider them as such. Continue to evolve in your passion. Live in the intimacy you give your passions, and never let anything take that away.

- Diego