ALEX: A Definition of Passion by Brandon Ebah Oben

I had come to believe that we find true passion in the things we do, the job descriptions we assume and various new things we learn. I actually still believe that true career passion and having that thing we can live for and that we can make sacrifices for comes as we involve ourselves in various activities.

Alex was one of my class mates at Uni. We wrote the Higher National Diploma together and a year later we both graduated with our Bachelor’s degrees. I took a pause and tried to get a job or internship while thinking of what I could possibly do for my Graduate studies. I had lost contact with Alex until when I saw a post of him moving to Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo to study.

A bit intrigued, I approached him and the conversation was as thus:

Me: What will you be studying in the DRC?

Alex: Medicine (I marveled)

Me: Was your Bachelor’s degree considered?

Alex: No. I’m starting all over. I will spend 8 years to become a doctor.

Me: (Astonished) What? You started all over? What’s it about being a Medical Doctor?

Alex: I have always wanted to become a Medical Doctor. When I saw the opportunity I said to myself it’s time.

Alex did not know he had just defined passion to me. He kept on thinking of himself as Dr. Alex so much such that the 8 years meant nothing to him. He was ready to move to a foreign neighboring country and start all over. He is in his second year now at Kolwezi.

Thank you Alex for being one of those who could define true passion to me. Much Respect. I hope you read this piece.