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Combs is certainly passing along a legacy to the fire service , and a lesson he cherishes and wants to pass along to his daughter and her generation is the power of yes . It ’ s a stark contrast to the messaging that is traveling along social channels at present .
“ Saying yes is not an easy thing to do . No is always easier . But my gosh , I would never have found myself doing the things I ’ m doing today without stepping up and saying yes . The second part of saying yes is having courage when opportunities come up , even when you ' re terrified . Such as going on USO tours ,
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as a volunteer entertainer for U . S . and NATO troops , to draw and engage with our active and wounded warriors – I mean I ’ m not a soldier and the thought of people shooting at me is not a comfortable thing . But those have been some of the most rewarding experiences in my life . I want my daughter to experience those things and not be afraid to say yes to things .”
And he adds , “ Follow your passion . That will lead to so many opportunities . A lot of people talk about passion , but do they really follow it ? I have walked away from lucrative jobs in my life because I was
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miserable . I didn ’ t want to live that way , so I said no . That way I could say yes to other opportunities . There will always be conversations with people who ’ ll say that it ' s your job to make them happy . They need more money , recognition and respect . But people are people . You ’ ll always have the jaded people , the self-centered people , and the egotistical people , but you ’ ll also have the people who want to serve and have passion .
“ The day that I ’ m not passionate about this is the day I quit . I will never be a name on the roster . It ’ s all about passion , care
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THE DAY THAT I ’ M NOT PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS IS THE DAY I QUIT .” and love . I ’ m so fortunate in my life . I either wake up and go to my studio or to the firehouse . Either way , I can ’ t wait to wake up and get started . And if the day or the journey is exciting and terrifying – that ’ s when I know I ’ ve got it right .”
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WINTER 2024 | 43 |