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When we are a rriving or leaving a destination multiple conversations typically occur . T hey often times lead into discussion about our motorcycle ministry with Black Sheep. I love these encounters . T hey stir my emotions and fuel that passion and fire inside, as I get to share my love for Jesus with others. Riding and having these conversations is such enjoyment, so much fun! Another way I have fun is to simply state, "God bless you," to a clerk in a checkout lane, or someone who says hello on the street. I've lost track of how many times those three words lead into a conversation about Jesus. I LOVE it w hen th is happens. It rekindles my fire and it ignites the other person. I call those the WOW moments because they're not coincidental. I have fun talking about our Lord, knowing He had everything to do with that encounter. There are two tools to help keep that fire from going out. Y ou'll need self - discipline and self - determination. Self - discipline is the drive to stick with it, stay focused and not be distracted by oth er things. Here's an example of what self - discipline looks like. There was a family who enjoyed going camping. When they would arrive at the campground , everyone would get out and immediately set up camp. No one quit until camp was completed. Remarkably they had perfected their chores and were able to set up camp in fifteen minutes and everyone participated until the job was done. Each family member was self - disciplined and kept the vision alive for what needed to be their first priority. Why was this f amily self - disciplined? Simple, they all agreed that no one could use the restroom until camp was set up. Now that's self - discipline. Let's now look at self - determination. Self - determination is the will to do it, not to give up and the constant striving t owards success and what it is you desire. Here's an example. This is a story about a young man. We will call him Jerry. J erry was a high - school student with incredible athletic talent . But his talent was not enough. There had to be an internal drive, a des ire, the passion, coupled with self - discipline AND self - determination. During the high - school football season , Jerry's coach would make the players sprint up and down a hill for practice. After nearly a dozen trips Jerry was ready to head for the lockers when no one was looking. Why not? Anyone who runs in the hot humid weather of Mississippi would probably agree. Just as Jerry was about to sneak off to the lockers, he realized what he was doing. He was about to quit. Not only was he willing to quit on h is teammates and coach, he was going to quit on himself. Reaching deep inside, Jerry found the determination to continue. He admitted to himself that once you get into the habit of quitting you soon believe its okay. Jerry turned around and went back out, and continu ed to run sprints. He never quit after that. Different players reportedly tried to keep up with Jerry but soon fell behind. He became so disciplined he was soon recognized as a role model for others and became a mentor for his team. Jerry later became a professional athlete. During the off season, Jerry would continue to practice six days a week while his teammates enjoyed their off season relaxing and not training. Who was this Jerry guy? Jerry Rice, one of pro football's greatest players ! The re are three keys to self - discipline and self - determination. We can see them in these two stories. They are first, challenge your excuses . Reject the excuse, ask yourself what it is you are avoiding. Admit you are only cheating yourself. Second, hold off r ewarding yourself. Delay gratification and recognize the reward as something you earn for your success. And third, stay focused on the results . Use affirmations and visualization. When I want to really impact something in my life, I start putting affirmat ions all around me. A note on the mirror in the bath room, one on the refrigerator, another on the dash of the car and one in any place I may be focused on, including the computer screen and my bible. Passion, discipline and determination starts with you. Learn to say "I" instead of "You." If I don't do it, who will? Take responsibility and be accountable. Don't rely on others. Take ownership. It's all mine. It's my passion, my attitude, my self - discipline and my self - determination. I own it. Cast the visi on, have a plan and t ake action. D on't procrastinate. Now's the time. Stay focused and d on't lose track. Don't just look towards the horizon. Look OVER the horizon. Live your passion, PASSION IS : P roactive , A ttitude , S elf - dis c ipline , S elf - determination , I t starts with "I" O wnership and N ow is the time ! "Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare." ( Japanese proverb ) About the author. Joel Kordis is a missionary and chaplain with the international Black Sheep Motorcycle Mi nistry. Previously, he was a first responder who was disabled in the line of duty. He later became an executive coach and motivational speaker with 20 years of experience. His passion is consulting and training in leadership, team building, conflict resolu tion, communication and organizational culture.