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By Catrina McCulley Passion, or boundless enthusiasm. When any feeling or emotion completely masters the mind, that's passion. Unlike a hobby or an interest, a passion is something that lifts your spirit. It's an uncontrollable craving for something so deep that it runs hot through your blood, day and night. And once you find that passion, you realize that you can never live without it. He didn't know he was about to stumble upon it. His entire life was about to change. He had no idea that this would be the first invigorating day of the rest of his life. On that beautiful day in August of 2000, Wm. David Champion Jr., President/CEO of Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative, found his passion. It was up floating silently just below the clouds. It all started at a Touchstone Energy® hot air balloon festival. Dave says, "I was fortunate enough to get to ride in the Touchstone Energy hot air balloon with Pilot Cheri White. And that's all it took. I was hooked. I knew right then that I wanted to know all there was to know about hot air ballooning." "He just came home one day and told me he wanted to be a balloon pilot. I thought he was crazy, I really did," says Dij Champion, Dave's wife. But from that one moment, his life was different — exhilarating — new. Dave's whole outlook on life changed. He finally had something different to look forward to. By November of 2000, he became half owner of his first balloon. By April of 2001 he had earned his commercial hot air balloon pilot's license. "I virtually spent all winter studying so I could be ready to go out in April. It typically takes someone two years to be able to get enough flights in with an instructor and pass all the tests, but I was so excited that 10 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop I couldn't wait that long. I called Mike Bauwens, a pilot and instructor with Balloon the Rockies Hot Air Balloon Training Facility in Utah, for some one-on-one training," Dave remembers. He spent 20 straight days with Bauwens. He flew every day and studied hard every night. And today, equipped with his license and his balloon Starburst, he has a constant eagerness to get off the ground. He takes every opportunity he can to fly. Dave and Dij travel from state to state seeking out balloon competitions They've gone everywhere from Kentucky to New Mexico. "I've definitely gotten to travel more since Dave took up ballooning. And when we retire, we plan to fly in every state in the United States," Dij says. "It's really become a family passion," says Dave. "My whole family has been very supportive. Dij is my crew chief. She helps out with everything on the ground. She's the person I put all my trust in. Even our two grown daughters, Teri and Becky, their husbands, Jeremy and Scott, and our grandchildren, Cale and Emma, come and help out. We all have a good time together," says Dave. And when he's not competing, Dave charters his balloon for paid rides. "I have 50 people on my waiting list right now for paid rides. I've had some unique experiences. I remember this one young man who wanted to propose to his girlfriend. He insisted we had to go up on one particular date - their anniversary date. It was too windy in Champaign that day, and I told him we wouldn't be able to go up, but he insisted we had to find a way. I told him we could go to Danville and try it, but that I couldn't make any promises. In Danville, the wind was steadier, but still not perfect. We did end up going up, though. He proposed and I got a picture of the newly engaged couple. It was an honor to be a part of their special day. "When I retire, I hope to continue giving paid rides while I'm in good health. It's wonderful to have something I'm passionate about that I can share, while making alittle money on the side." But for Dave, ballooning isn't about making money. "I really just like to share the experience with others. I've given away quite a few rides. And I like to donate my services to two charity events per year," he says. Recently, he donated a ride for two to the Gibson City Hospital Association. "I happened to be at the event when the ride was being auctioned off. When the ride got up to $450, one of the bidders dropped out of the auction. After they dropped
AUGUST 2004 www.aiec.coop 11 out, I said, 'If you would also be willing to pay $450,I will donate another ride.' And they did, so I helped raise $900 for that event," Dave says. "Ballooning has made a tremendous change in Dave's life," says Dij. "Before, he really only lived for work. He didn't have much of a social life. But when he started ballooning, he just started relaxing more. He's still a hard worker, but now he has something more to look forward to. He's really laid back now and I think he's going to live longer," Dij laughs. "My passion for ballooning is so intense that I could literally do it all the time. I have to make sure that I am not shorting my job or my family. I always seem to find a good balance though," Dave says. "It's funny, before I found ballooning, I never really knew anything was missing in my life. Things always seemed normal. But when I found it, I never wanted to give it up from that moment on. I'm a happier person now," he says. There is nothing like the feeling you get when you are passionate about something. "But you just can't wake up one day and decide 'this is the day I'm going to find my passion.' You have to be willing to go out and try new things.. .experience all life has to offer. And you never know, along the way, you just might find something you are passionate about, too," says Dave.
Eight Ideas to Help You Find Your Passion 1. Find time to pursue both what you must do for sustenance and what you must do to develop what you really love to do. Don't quit your day job while you get in touch with your true desires. 2. Ask 10 people who know you well what they can see that you really love doing. Treat this as a survey-do not judge or critique what they say. Simply look for the common thread. 3. Take time to identify your talents. Provide yourself with "creative time." Give yourself time to be alone with your thoughts. 4. Ask yourself, "What is important to me in a career? In my personal life?" Keep asking until you have nothing else that comes to mind. These are your values. Now, ask yourself, "What jobs can I hold that will allow me to live these values?" 5. Ask yourself, "Am I overlooking anything that could be an opportunity for me to explore my passion?" Follow that with, "Am I discounting anything in my life right now that demonstrates my true talents?" 6. Pay attention to moments when you lose track of time and keep mental notes about what you are doing at those moments. Who surrounds you in these moments? This helps you to identify your talents and the types of people who will benefit from your talents. 7. Be willing to put yourself in a pinch for both time and money to make your passion work. The most successful people are those who have dared the Universe to tell them they couldn't accomplish their dream. 8. Don't be afraid to try new things. If you're resisting activities that may be out of your comfort zone, you're creating negative energy and thoughts. This will not be beneficial to you in the long run. For more tips and information on finding your passion, visit Coachville Resource Center at http://topten.org/public/BA/BAUO.html. 12 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop |
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