Letters to a Young Brother

Mountain Biker Adventure Course

I’ve been reading a book by Hill Harper of CSI:NY (a popular TV show, I guess). The name of it? You guessed it: Letters to a Young Brother; MANifest Your Destiny.

I have been reading it slowly, a page or two at a time and it’s structured as a bunch of letters between Hill, and a “young brother.” The dialog is frank and to the point, and though I don’t align with all of the precepts, I think it’s a good book for youth running through those tough times of adolescence. Heck, it’s even a good read now that I’m a 20-something!

I’m nearly 3/4 of the way complete with the book, and during each of the chapters, Hill offers direction, correction and encouragement. The most recent chapter I’ve read is on Living with Passion.

I thought it would be appropriate to log an entry here because he asks some very pertinent questions towards developing passion, purpose and vision in life.

On page 118, he writes

“But for real — what makes you smile? What makes your heart beat faster? What makes you excited?”

What good questions.

For me, the thing that comes to mind first is helping other people to overcome their fears and apprehensions in pursuit of something bigger. I love to see people conquer the scary things in life, whether that is a big decision of engagement or baptism, or perhaps something more everyday’ish, like feeling afraid, but riding a tough spot of the trail.

I love to see people in pursuit of goals. I have always loved to see people at challenge courses reaching out of their comfort area and either getting involved, or trying an element that is outside their confidence zone.