In 1977, someone captured a photo of me playing the dulcimer – completely lost in the music. Looking back, I see that moment for what it truly was: purpose, passion, and belonging. It was something I had been searching for after a disrupted and disordered youth. This is the power of passion in young lives.
Music saved me.
The 1960s lit my fire, and once I found my focus, it was exhilarating – utterly absorbing. I would play for hours, sometimes through the night, perfecting a new composition. It gave me direction. It gave me identity. It gave me confidence.
Now, I understand why. I have ADHD. The signs were always there. I struggled to focus at school. I couldn’t sit still. I didn’t fit into the rigid structure of the classroom. But put an instrument in my hands, a microphone in front of me, and a stage under my feet – I came alive.
The Key to Unlocking Potential
Years later, on a visit to the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto, I heard something that still resonates:
Arts, sports, and food are the three key entry points for regenerating communities.
They are how we engage. They are how we connect. They are how we find meaning.
Yet, we continue to treat these essential pathways as luxuries, rather than necessities. Schools are quick to cut arts programs. Sports funding is constantly under threat. But for so many young people – especially those struggling to find their place – these are the lifelines that keep them afloat.
Lighting the Fire in Every Young Person
Imagine if every young person had the chance to discover their passion – to find that thing that absorbs them so fully that they lose track of time. How many lost futures could be reclaimed? How many struggling students could find their confidence?
This is not an optional conversation. It is an imperative.
We need to fight for a world where creativity, movement, and connection are woven into every school, every community, every young life. Because when a young person finds their fire, they find their future.
I found mine. And I know the life-changing power it holds.
Now, let’s make sure every young person gets that same chance.
Book Mike Stevenson for Your School
If you want a truly Inspirational Speaker for Schools – someone who will captivate, challenge, and empower your students – then Mike Stevenson is the perfect choice.
Get in touch today on 07778 781846 to bring Mike to your school and give your students an unforgettable experience that could change their lives forever.