Courting Your Passion

Ever since I could remember, I’ve been obsessed with the written word. I began writing poetry and short stories as a teenager, tucked away in my room contemplating the endless possibilities for the future. A “futuristic vision” is how I survived the awkwardness of adolescence and high school, knowing one day that I would realize my dream of becoming a published author.

Fast-forward about ten years and somehow that passion had dampened. Instead of following what was in my heart, I chose to pursue what would be most beneficial to my bank account. Then one day, as I was sitting in my cubicle, it occurred to me that I had two choices: I could go after my dream or I could continue to live a mundane existence until I keeled over at my desk.

We all hear about people who followed their dreams, threw caution to the wind, and eventually made it big. So, what makes us any different? When you think about it, the only difference between those who achieve their goals and those who don’t is the fact that those who do are committed to their passion — regardless of the obstacles they may endure.

If you’re not happy with your job, change it. Or if your current relationship is not fulfilling, call it quits. The point is that no one is accountable for your life, but YOU. When I announced to my family and friends back in 2007 that I was leaving a steady paycheck to start my own business, I received a lot of blank stares. But after my 37-year-old uncle passed away suddenly earlier that year, I knew it was time to start living my life for me. Regardless of how others snickered at my decision, it was my life to live, and as long as I believed that anything was possible, things would come my way (or at least that’s what I hoped).

Our passion is like the yearning of a faithful lover desperate for our affection. In order for the relationship to flourish, we must acknowledge its presence, carve time out of our busy schedules each week to meet, and give it our full attention.

So start getting “down and dirty” with your passion. Name five things that you enjoy most such as writing, jewelry making, volunteering, yoga, etc. Then write down the social causes closest to your heart. Maybe you’ve always had a soft spot for animals or you aspire to empower young women. Whatever sets your soul on fire, get to know it intimately.

Once you’ve become acquainted with your passion, it’s time to schedule a little one-on-one time with your new “beau.” Arrange a weekly creative date such as enrolling in a course to master your craft or engaging in some bookstore browsing to spark your creativity. You can also start a blog or volunteer to write a column for your local newspaper about issues that matter to you most. From here on out, make your passion your constant companion: read about it, study it, and become totally engulfed by it.