Then you keep getting older and everyone tells you to follow your passions and you start to realize that's harder than it sounds. You start getting scared that maybe that's pretty hard and maybe you might not be able to for whatever reason and well, maybe you start thinking you don't even know what your passion is.
That last option is me. I'm not sure I could tell you straight out what my "passion" is or what my longterm "goals" are. Tommie asked me the other night what my goals for life are and I really had no answers other than "be a good wife, good mother, good sister, daughter and friend." Those are great, but I think he meant personal accomplishment goals along the lines of completing a marathon, writing a novel, etc. Ha. So much for being a cooperative wife.
What do you think? Do you have a concrete passion, and what is it? How did you know what it was? What are you doing to pursue your passion? I could use some examples and some help thinking on this.
Thanks to my sister Brittany for inspiring yet another post...
3 comments:
I think you're more on target with your passions than you may think. To me, passions define us and goals are nice motivators and ideas. If we blur the two and see goals = passions, then if we were to "fail" at a goal we might define ourselves as failures. Otherwise, if you separate them, you're able to be removed from those failures, see them as opportunities to be better in the future, but you don't allow the mis-step to ruin your life because you link that goal with your identity. So to define your passions as things associated with your being a wife, sister, daughter, etc., is quite appropriate. Goals on the other hand, if you don't have them, fine. But I think if we DO set them, attempt them, etc., then there is SOMETHING character-building about it.
For me, my most concrete passion would be hospitality (everything from having people in my home, to decorating so the friends and family who fill my home would feel welcomed and lovely). My more ideological passion would be living FULLY.
Recognition of these passions came through seeing/hearing/feeling what I was most adamant about. For example, on a given weekend when Grant asks what I would like to do, many times my answer(s) revolve around having people over, shopping for a new decorative item for the apartment, getting outdoors, or doing something fun and new.
As far as what I'm doing to pursue my passions (hospitality, decorating, living :-)), oddly enough a lot of my efforts come through following blogs, ha! I love being inspired with different party ideas, interior decor, events going on in our area, and simply hearing other people's life stories. Can't say I thought this would be an avenue of furthering my passions, but it really has been!
Mercy, sorry for the belabored comment. Love ya!
Well, both of your pictures make me very happy.
As for the life goals, I kind of deal with this daily. I love having my own business. I feel accomplished. I love photography, so it's a way to keep up with it and learn more (and fund it). But really, it's stressing me out. So it has me really considering what I want from life. Honestly, when David and I first started talking about not doing as much photo work, I had a hard time letting go. I still can't fully grasp it. I still haven't said "no" to anyone. It's hard. But what I really long for in each and every day is a great time with Tova during the day and meaningful times with David when T is asleep. And I don't feel like either of those are really happening with all the stress and work load I've been carrying around...
All to say, I feel like if you're not wanting something during your day, if you're not longing for a change, then you've probably achieved your current goal.
Yes, I think that's all I have to say on this right now. Back to work...
I really appreciate your thoughts on this guys. I've thought about it a great deal since then and I've also talked to some people who've read my blog and NOT commented. I think I agree with much of what you all of have said-our passion doesn't have to look like what it looks like for everything else.
For me, I think it is so fulfilling to play a supporting role in other peoples' lives, while still fulfilling my starring role. I hope that makes sense.
Anyway, I appreciate the comments and will keep mulling over this one I'm sure. I'll keep you posted. Haha. Literally.
Post a Comment