What makes you who you are? Is it genetic? I’m not really sure.

I think genetics has something to do with who we become as adults, but I only think that’s half the story.

I actually believe that our environment does a lot more for… or to us, than we like to give credit to. Someone might call you really extroverted and outgoing by nature, but what they don’t see is the time that you crowd surfed at a high school volleyball game when you were like 8 years old!! LOL Not because you’re a professional rock star crowd surfer, but because an older siblings friends decided that it would be a good idea to lift you up and pass you around the crowd.

You might have been a little scared or nervous about it at first but half way through the bleachers you realized “this is kinda fun!” So the next game when they want to do it, you at least know what’s coming and might not be so nervous about it. THEN, after about 5 more games, you’re the next Axel Rose, Jon Bon Jovi, or Ludacris… crowd surfing like you just put out the biggest hit song of the decade!

My point is, the passing of the torch is a way to improve the generations behind us. WE shape them for the future. They learn so much more from being around someone that has already done it before, and now they are able to take it so much further. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE… just remember that you also have a responsibility when passing the torch. DO NOT DROP IT!!! There is fire on that torch and it WILL burn. Imagine how less likely you would be to carry a torch if the last one you touched set you on fire. Take care of yourselves and each other…

-Rok