Monday, December 14, 2009

Passion

I was watching some inspirational TV while ironing, when I heard the word “passion,” and how we’re created with this innate desire. Whether you believe it’s a gift from God, or something else, it’s wonderful to discover what it is.

Why do some people "not" know what theirs is; or if they do, why don’t they experience it?

One of my passions is writing. When I think back to my childhood days, I wrote in journals, and I wrote letters to my cousins in Michigan. I loved it when they wrote back.

Another hint of my writing passion (before I could define it), was my declaration, “I can write a book on that” every time something was discussed that I had lots of experience with, or on something that I’ve seen a lot of in my life.

It took years before I actually started “a book.” The birthdays came and went. The number of my years on earth increased, while the number of years I have left, decreased.

When was I going to fulfill my passion?

I started my manuscript on being a stay-at-home mom some years ago; interviewed several moms, organized it, and began the quest for publication. But on the way to the bestseller’s list, I was sidetracked by household management duties, volunteering, and summertime fun with my family…until I discovered…blogging!

I wrote a post titled, “Why I Blog," but I didn’t connect writing with being a gift. My light bulb moment suggested that I write/blog more about it.

My horseback riding teacher had me and the girls, and our husbands, over for a Christmas luncheon. Betsy prepared a delicious meal, set a beautiful table, and had Christmas decorations in all the right places. The atmosphere was worthy of being featured on the Food Network.

Parties, entertaining, cooking...she loves it!

When I complimented her, she explained that it’s her way of creating, “like artwork,” she says.

There have been times when I didn't get it, but that day, when I looked into her beautiful face glowing with pride, I thought, "this is her gift." She said, "Everybody has one." I pondered for a split second, and accepted that mine is writing; that I can claim the “writer” title without being a great writer. "Betsy," I said, "Given a simple piece of paper and a pencil, I can put something on it – always." She told me that she can’t do that, and I know others who feel as she does.

She smiled and said, “That’s your gift, Anita; your creativity, your passion.”

What’s your passion?
I’ve heard it said that you know what it is, because you crave it and you do it even when you're not paid.

I love all the conversations I've had with you. Surprise me by leaving a comment on a past post, too. Just click on a thumbnail below, or browse the labels and archives to the left of this post. Comment notification allows me to see all new comments.

48 comments:

Menopausal New Mom said...

For me, my passion is writing as well. I can write about darn near anything whether I know anything about it or not. In addition to my own blog, I also write for an online store, 2 posts per month on jewelry that I actually get paid for. Which reminds me, I still have those two posts to do for December. I've been so caught up in all the holidays and my own blog, I've been putting it off.

Anonymous said...

Thats just great that you know this is your passion!! I dont know if writing is exactly mine but I do love to talk and have no one to talk to which is why I blog! Although, like you, I always say I can write a book about this and that. If you havent noticed, Im a terrible writer, I write exactly how I speak, so Im told.
I relate to Betsy when you said how her face lit up...I love cooking and baking for people!!!

My Aimless Infatuation said...

I have thought and thought about this. I am passionate about so many things but I guess in the end it would be my caregiving. I do enjoy helping the ones that can't help themselves. At the end of the day I also feel a little better because maybe just maybe I have lightened their load. After all isn't that why we are here anyway? BTW,I was born and raised in Detroit,Michigan.

Anonymous said...

Oh, me too! I love writing and always have. Blogging taps into my creative side. I fancy myself as a bit of an entertainer....

I have had people tell me along my "road" that I have the gift of hospitality. I really never even think about it but I do love to entertain, have people over and our home is always open to house guests and family. Is that a passion? For me, people, I guess. I have a dream of some day owning a B and B.

Joanne said...

My passion is definitely writing, in many forms - blogging, manuscripts, essays. My blog is dedicated to exploring the ways we all keep passion in our lives, where our passions come from, how we nurture them, that sort of thing. They are a great influence in many lives.

Kasie said...

My passion is photography. I love to take pictures of everything. Anything I'm doing can be more fun if I can taking pictures while I'm doing it. I love to tell stories with photographs. it could easily consume all of my time if I let it. Just like the other day. It was raining, liv had a pretty umbrella... before church I knew I had to take pictures that day :) we left church, I grabbed the box of cheez its to hold her over until after the shoot (I confess... we had to get the pics in before it stopped raining!) & we hit the black top @ the school around the corner for a pouring down rain photo shoot. I was so excited during church & was praying it would still be raining. I love it... may be too much. I could most definitely do it all the time with no money in return! Actually I'm in the midst of recruiting families to allow me to take their pictures just because I want to get better at it. You up for a free photo shoot? :)

gayle said...

Hmm.....my passion, I have thought about over the years but for some reason I just can't pin point it..I've heard about it and thought some about it but always come up blank..I will think about it some more. I am so glad that you know that writing is your passion!!

Cheryl Wooten said...

Keep pursuing your passion of writing, Anita...you're good at it and great things will come of it!

Von said...

Like most of you it's writing and of course photography goes with that,particularly when you blog.
I'm passionate about the planet, my own corner of it in particular and of course family and dear friends.
Finding your passion is about being in touch with your feelings and having the headspace to do that.Writing often comes to us as children before our heads get filled up with rubbish.If you haven't found yours you will if you work on it..good luck!

jiturajgor said...

It was 'reading' before some years, now obviously it is writing. But if I clarify it perfactly, my passion is thinking. Reading and writing, both are by-product of my thinking.I read to know, what others think and write to let others know waht I am thinking.So thinking is my passion.

jiturajgor said...

Anita,I love and like the people whose passion is writing. They care for others and take effort by spending hours to think on subject,then write, edit and re-write for benefit of readers.

the mom said...

I think you're very good at blogging. You write in a smart and simple way, and your theme seems to be "feel good". Reading your blog, is kind of like reading a magazine.
Except for the obvious; my family, my passions are creativity and experiences.

Tabor said...

Having visited my blog you know that I love words and putting them together and then photography has become a new passion over the past years. Other passions are being outdoors doing stuff and being with my grandchildren and children. I guess, all in all, I am a pretty passionate person ;-)

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

This was an EXCELLENT post; extremely thought provoking.

God has graced me with a handful of moderate talents, but my passion is loving people and all that comes with that. It's a big, dynamic undertaking; I can do a lot of different things with it. Love manifests itself in sooooo many ways.

And, when I say 'passion', I mean I am always looking to do something new, different, better by way of loving people.

God put me here to make the world a better place, one person, one moment, at a time. Small steps. Just my piece of a freakin' humungous pie! ;)

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

OOps, I almost forgot. Thanks for stopping by my place and inviting me over. Next time I'll bring the cookies and you fix the cocoa.

And you're my age! I love that part!

Anita said...

Thank you GOOSEBREEDER and PJ for adding your "first" comments to my blog. Welcome!

HELLO EVERYONE, I'm absolutely loving your comments! So far all of you are bloggers, and many are passionate about writing, as I am. I've read your blogs and see that everyone expresses differently.

Others have added tangible things like cooking, and intangible things like caregiving, thinking, and hospitality.

A couple are not sure, but I'm certain that you've got it buried somewhere within. I hope you will read what the others are saying.

Thank you, also, for the "writing" compliments and well wishes. It means a lot to me.

Oh, I also liked hearing the personal, added tidbits...it adds a little fun. :)

KEEP THE COMMENTS COMING BLOGGERS!
AND READERS WHO DON'T HAVE A BLOG - I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU TOO.

Unknown said...

My passion is writing, too. I love it. I obsess about it. I dream about doing it all the time.

Blogging is a temporary way for me to quench that thirst...writing without rules, without care. I'm a SAHM with twins and my time isn't my own.

I long for the day when I can sit alone and be inspired and write until my fingers are about to fall off.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I've been lax about reading/commenting/keeping up lately. Need to get better about it!

shufuinjapan said...

Hi Anita. Great question, it really got me thinking. I am at my happiest when I am organising something. I never use travel agents but spend ages researching our holiday destinations and planning our accommodation etc. I love timetables, diaries and "due dates"

Abby said...

I can usually tell the bloggers that have a true passion for writing - it comes out so naturally and unforced. Your blog conveys that feeling.

I sometimes think that I have too many "passions". It makes it hard to center in on any one thing, like when choosing a college major or a career track for instance.

I guess my passion is writing-parenting-teaching-analyzing-engineering-organizing-running-learning-relating-etc..ing.

I'm pretty sure that it's not shopping though.

Unknown said...

I have a few passions that pull me but the bottom line is my passion is for helping people in some way or with something I've written or cooked or shared. If I can draw a picture and give it to someone because it reminds them of their dog that they lost, then that's my passion.

If I can bake cookies that are a favorite of someone that hasn't had them since their grandmother passed away, then, that's my passion.

If I can make someone smile by singing a funny song, then my sense of humor is my passion.

So many passions, just not enough time in the day!

yonca said...

You know I love cooking, trying new recipes, creating my own recipes.. And also love blogging, share them with my people. Great topic Anita!

Unknown said...

One word: photography.

Cheers!
Julie
Julie Magers Soulen Photography
Blog of Note

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Writing is mine as well. And that part about not getting paid but still doing it sure rings true! LOL

Anita said...

ERIN, The reason my blog is called Beyond the Diapers and Spills is because as the kids get beyond the stages of so much dependency, I get to do more things that I enjoy.
Your days of endless writing are coming. (Not that mine are here yet. Still have 3 school aged kids!)

SHUFUINJAPAN, I understand your passion. I love organization; just have a hard time keeping it up.

ABBY, You may remember that shopping isn't mine either! :)

I feel passion for many things too, and I wonder if I will excel at anything before I leave this earth. Actually, if I don't, it's okay, because I'm enjoying the journey (most of the time.)

Thanks for the "ada girl" encouragement. :) or is it "atta"

YONCA, JULIE, EILEEN - Your answers would have been my guesses. :) Keep those blogs going that allow you to express your talent.

Buckeroomama said...

I love writing and I love photography, but my true passion are my two children; that's why my blog is pretty much all about them --posts, pics! :)

Midlife Mom said...

I have had different passions at different times in my life. When I was a child my two passions were my horses and reading. I could spend hours and hours reading or hours and hours doing things with our horses, either riding or just grooming and talking to them.

When my son was born our world revolved around him and I was the room mother at his school and then in high school I was totally into being a sports Mom and having all of his friends in our home. I loved cooking for them as some of them came from homes where they just didn't sit down for home cooked meals together.

I went through my sewing stage where I just couldn't get enough of it for many years. Quilting was an obsession and I made many, many of them for friends and relatives. I still sew now but not to the extent that I did them.

I have been told I have the gift of hospitality and I love feeding people! lol! I love having big crowds in for meals and making all kinds of goodies for them. I love inviting people to join us that don't have family in the area or older folks that don't have many friends left. So I guess that would be my main passion right now.

Thanks for giving us something to ponder!

Jen said...

Do I have to pick just one? I'd pick exploring the outdoors.

andrea said...

Mine is writing---I've been writing fiction just for fun since I was a child---and foreign languages. I am the kind of person where I hear a foreign language or see it and immediately want to learn it!! Weird? Maybe. But it's great fun! My favorites are Chinese and Korean.

Michelle Schraudner said...

Blogging is definitely my passion!

Unknown said...

My passion is writing.I just want to get into more writing that pays!

Unknown said...

I always thin writing is my passion.......but then I've been up and down on blogging this Fall. I'd say my other passion is reading.........I love to read.

Anita said...

I've learned more from you all with the last seven coments.

Writing is still the top response, but I would expect that from bloggers. :)

The children, foreign languages, and the outdoors - all worthy of great passion.

MIDLIFE MOM, Thanks for taking us through the changes in your life. Most of us have a ew things that we're passionate about, but your comment lets us know that a passion can hibernate for awhile while being replaced with something else, and maybe wake up later in life.

THANKS EVERYONE!

I'D LOVE TO HEAR MORE. :)

Annie Z said...

I have absolutely no idea. Music is my talent, my career, but it doesn't feel like my passion (anymore).

I love writing, I love being on a spiritual journey, I love researching new topics, I love discovery and learning.

mmmm... will require some more thought!

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Hi
I too write. You will see one or two of my short stories in my early days blogging. Lovely blog. Will be back.

Anita said...

NEWMUM - As you know, I read your blog. You seem "generally" a passionate person. I think the things you mentioned that you love qualify as passions. :)

GRUMPY OLD KEN, I plan to read a story or two of yours as soon as I get a respite from Christmas shopping and other events.
Thanks for adding your "passion" to this post. Looking forward to hearing from you again.

melody said...

What is my passion? That's an easy one for me to answer. Since I was about five years old. I discovered that my passion was the stage. I love to act on stage. I was an only child for about 8 years before I was joined by my two siblings, so I guess I had to keep myself company with myself. As a result I was always standing on some box or some make shift platform that I would find to make make me a stage. I'd portray characters I'd see on the three networks at the time ABC,CBS,NBC. I'd place my dolls before me and act away. I have to admit many of my scenes were very adult like. Parents beware of the television. I'd mimic love scenes well lets call them romantic, death scenes, comedy, and so forth. It was my little secret, and the only one I would talk to about my acting was God. The were the few conversations when I actually think I heard him speak to me.

As a young child I began writing my scenes down and on a few occasions in elementary and middle school I was given the opportunity to mount some of my work for the class or school, always making my self the star. As an adult writer and director I not as selfish as I was back then. The acting pretty much came natural so I would say back to the question, perhaps passion is something that comes natural either through appreciation or having an actual gift. As I face the back end of my life's journey. I am pleased to have been able to pursue my passion both as a professional and as a craft.

God has allowe to do so for many years now. The only time my passion was dormant was in college. I had other discoveries about myself that I needed to pursue I guess. But even then I was always acting for my friends.

My childhood passion became my life passion, and my passion has become my friend.

Anita said...

MELODY, I'm glad you wrote about your passion of stage acting! I could feel the true passion as I was reading.
I hope you will begin to blog; I don't think I've run across any bloggers that are stage actors, although I know they are out there.
Keep those comments comin' on other visits to my blog. :)

FOLLOWERS AND READERS, THAT WAS A NEW ONE...ANYMORE...LET US KNOW WHAT IT IS. :)

MissKris said...

I linked to this on my blog. When I read it yesterday it stuck with me the whole day. Great post!

Anita said...

MISS KRIS, Wow! I'm always happy when someone relates to what I'm trying to say. Thank you. :)

MORE PASSIONATE PEOPLE OUT THERE? OR THOSE TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT? ...KEEP COMMENTING.

Bernie said...

This is a marvelous post and the comments from your readers so fascinating!

I have had different passions throughout my life like some of the others and then gone on to new ones.

The most enduring passion I have is for lakes and swimming in them and boating and fishing.

I have gone through painting, writing, reading, sewing--all just not very good, but fun anyway.

Anita said...

BERNIE, Swimming in lakes and boating sounds so free and relaxing. Maybe that will be in my future. :)

Thanks for letting us know that we don't have to be very good at the things we are passionate about. A lot of people probably miss out because they are too self-conscious to enjoy their passion.

FOLLOWERS AND READERS, KEEP COMMENTING!

Nakamuras on Saipan said...

You know what Anita, you got me thinking...I mean REALLY thinking...your post was more than a question to me- it was a challenge. I definitely know what my passion is but...have been afraid to go forward with it. Why? Good question. I can think of a number of excuses, when you need an excuse any one will do, eh? Part of it might be fear. I've been ridiculed by a few people and that brought out some insecurities I guess. But in the privacy of my thoughts I am yearning to go forward...to explore, learn more and share the beautiful things I have experienced. Experiences that have honestly changed me personally. So what is my passion? Well the easy explanation is one word, Yoga. but that is just the tippy top of the iceberg. It goes waaay deeper. I'm not talking about the stretches and contortions that most people think of, I'm talking about the peace and balance a middle aged woman, who felt literally like she was going off her rocker, found through the practice and study of Yoga. No, I'm not a Hindu, I'm a Christian and that is where the ridicule has come from- the christian community. It's put a damper on my passion..well..publicly anyhow. I can see the beauty and wisdom of God in the practice of yoga-the nonviolence to ourselves and others. The simple and practical natural "prescriptions" for health and well-being. Natural foods....quieting and stilling the mind while meditating upon the stillness of God....I want so much to share this with other women like me. I am inches away from my Yoga teacher's certificate...and yet I teeter on the edge....but today you inspired me. We are on the precipice of a new year, a new start, fresh clean page. I'm going to begin writing a new story. Great, thought provoking post Anita. Thanks. Namaste

Nakamuras on Saipan said...

P.S. I'm starting another blog-my "Yoga" blog.. :)

Anita said...

NAKAMURAS - Starting your Yoga blog sounds like the perfect jump start to fully realizing your passion.
I'm sorry you are getting negativtity from our Christian sisters and brothers about your interest. Get it going, and let them see how at peace you are, and how healthy you are, and they may be the first ones in line to sign up or ask quesions. :)
I know their concerns, but as a Christian, your communication is, first, with God, and if He gives you peace and confirmation about how you can start teaching and incorporate His goodness into it, then go for it!
There is much to be learned from all cultures of the world.
I'm so happy that you are inspired! Reading your comment and some others helps me too, to get beyond fears and hesitations in moving forward.

One more thing, probably a dumb question, but is Namaste a name or a salutation?

Tracie said...

That was a very good piece. I'm glad you linked to it from today's.

Here's my issue. I don't know what my passion is. I don't think I have one. I'm always too busy and distracted to find out.

Nakamuras on Saipan said...

Hi Anita. Not a dumb question at all. Namaste can be used as both -it means "I bow to you". It is used as a token of respect between people. Kind of like the Buddhist "Gassho" which also means "I bow to you".

Anita said...

KYS, When you'r busy and distracted, is that a "good thing?" I hope so.

If not, your realization of your passion is yet to come. Keep your eyes, ears, and heart open.

NAKAMURAS - Namaste to you too. :)
Thank you.

Karen said...

I just found your blog through Joanne's and really enjoyed this post. I have two passions. One is writing and the other is my home. I love being a stay-at-home mom, taking care of my family and making our home a "nest." Writing is something that I've always just shrugged and said I "enjoy doing", but truth be told, I have to write. My thoughts aren't completed until I've put them down on paper.

So nice to "meet" you!