There’s something special about watching somebody do what they love.

I’ve thought about this a lot recently, especially with the Olympics on TV. I watch every sport they show, and as someone who isn’t usually glued to the TV, I am truly glued to the TV throughout the trials and the games themselves.

To watch athletes qualify for their dreams, to watch them sit back and realize what they have accomplished through something that means the world to them, it is one of my favorite things to watch unfold.

This does not just go for sports. To watch an artist paint, or see your favorite artist in concert—I truly believe this is why people pay to go to these types of things. Sure, they are entertaining, but it’s more than that.

We subconsciously love to watch people do what they love.

This leaves me to wonder, why is there such a disconnect in our everyday world? Why is it that when people are a bit crazy, and do what they love in their daily lives, we tend to give them a bit of a weird look?

Why is it any different?

The Olympic athlete didn’t get to their stage without first running the mile in P.E class.

The famous singer didn’t get to perform at Red Rocks without first performing at the talent show.

The world-renown artist didn’t get their painting hung in a gallery without first displaying a piece of artwork that no one understood.

Instead of looking down upon others, and disapproving of their lifestyle, we should instead celebrate that they are truly doing what they love.

I’m sometimes guilty of thinking people are a little bit weird for doing odd things, but I have lately been challenging myself to see this in a different light.

We all have to start somewhere, and I believe it is of the utmost importance that we do celebrate people’s ambitions and goals.

Instead of shaming them for having such large goals, why do we not instead applaud them for having the courage to dream that big, to aim that high?

If you truly love to do under-water basket weaving, then you should go right ahead and do it. It does not matter what anybody else thinks. We should all have the opportunity to do what sets our souls on fire.

I have always been told, “it doesn’t matter what anybody thinks of you, as long as you’re happy.”

And while I do believe that is true, I can only imagine how much greater our world would be if we could instead celebrate what people love instead of judging it.

Next time you see someone doing something odd, but doing it with passion, celebrate them. You’d want them to do the same for you.

The clattering you just heard in the far off distance is me climbing off my soapbox.