Apply to join our pool of candidates to attend the One Young World Summit 2013, in Johannesburg. Could you be a Delegate?
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Matthew Konchan
I am passionate about
Throughout my short 23 years on this planet I've been passionate about something new almost every few years. In my early years it was sports- specifically baseball. Where working eight hours a day, driving all weekend to play tournaments, sacrificing free time trying to get a baseball scholar ship was my entire existence. A little later in life when I had an almost unhealthy obsession with skiing. Driving eight hours every weekend, sleeping in my car in -5 degree weather, making sure I woke up every 2 hours to make sure the freshly fallen snow hadn't covered my exhaust, just so I could wake up and have the opportunity to ski fresh tracks from open to close. Even packing pb&j's in my jacket so I wouldn't have to stop to eat-I'd simple eat on the lift. Later in college I because extremely passionate about traveling. Working 30 hours a week while taking 22 credits so I could complete my double major in time, however still saving up enough money to subsequently spend it all on multiple trips throughout the year unseen exploring parts of the county and the world. Currently other than being passionate about being a good person full of positive thinking I don't know exactly what I'm passionate about-however giving off positive energy I feel like should be more than adequate in itself. Regardless of what strikes a chord with me and deeply resonates I know I'll give it 150% as I've done my entire life...If you're not giving it your all----really, is there any point in doing it?
Actions
Lately I've been passionate about being a better person. I'm sure there will be thousands of applicants preaching about the world saving undertakings they have been responsibility for. But I'll be honest, I don't spend 40 hours a month volunteering, I don't give half my income to the less fortunate or help build new schools every month. But I am a good person-my philosophy is- it’s not how much you do but what you do. It’s a very simple belief actually, if everyone in the world was a little better than they were bad, we would have a highly positive global society. As long as every day, the positive energy you discharge is greater than your negative...you have done your part. It is simple to create positive change. Just keep doing what you have been doing if what you have been doing has been globally positive, regardless of its size. That's my intention I'm not going to sit here and be dishonest and say I'm going to start volunteering 20 hours a week and helping more at my local church, just to be nominated. Because that's not who I am. After a four hours commute a day and 50+ hours of work a week there isn't much time to do the aforementioned. Many people are in the same boat…but there is no reason you can’t hold the door for a stranger, lend your umbrella if it’s raining, help an elderly person with their bags, use your coupon for a free sub/bag of chips and give half to a homeless person, give up your seat on the train to an older/pregnant woman even if it mean you have to stand for 45 minutes until the next stop...the answers aren't all that difficult. I'm not going to preach my beliefs, but I do know positivity creates and breeds positivity. If people see you acting a certain way it's almost inevitable your actions will be reciprocated for the greater good.
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