What is passion?
pas·sion/ˈpaSHən/
Noun 1. Boundless enthusiasm 2. The object of said enthusiasm
Synonyms: ardor – love – zeal – fervor – fire
Passion is the little cog in the wheel that keeps it turning even when it’s flat and wobbly. It is the tiny voice inside that says “keep going” when opposition strikes. It’s the fuel to the fire, what keeps the embers burning long after the flames have died down.
Some people have bursts of passion for many things and others have one long and sustained passion. What I have found is that my bursts of passion (about many great and silly things!) have added up to one big passion in life–it only took sleuthing it out.
Some things I’ve been passionate about:
lampwork glass bead making, being a CASA volunteer (never have made the commitment, but am fascinated by it!), finding and growing community, photography, my marriage & children, women’s ministry, living in freedom, researching and learning, business
What I’ve found this all adds up to:
I have found that I’m passionate about helping women and families live in freedom and creativity. This happens in all kinds of ways and lends itself to all kinds of activities–but most everything I do relates back to that “big passion”.
Heartwork to do privately or in the comments:
Make a list of things you’ve been passionate about (starting in young adulthood). Do you see a pattern emerging? Can you help other commenters notice patterns?
31 Comments on "a list of passions"
Hayley, I love the practical next step “make a list”. I’m trying to do this in my journal. I think the hard part is that while I have a running list of passions, there is much waiting. Something from the list is missing, so things aren’t quite coming together yet. Then all of a sudden one day something amazing happens and I see my passions coming together and I go “ooooh!!” Often, the waiting is the hardest part! Do you know what I mean?
i try to be practical sometimes. ;) there is so.much.waiting in life. i’m slowly becoming kind of okay with that…kind of.
helping others, hearing other peoples stories, volunteering, being a big sister, writing, personal development, self-help books, business, giving advice, relationships with women in my life–friends, sisters, co-workers, my marriage/husband
big sister like familiarly or big sister like big brother/big sister organization? :) so relationships, growing personally, working in organizations (volunteering or in biz), and words (advice, hearing stories)…that’s what I piece together. i think my passions are very similar. i LOVE to hear someone’s story. xo.
Big sister in my family (I thought that might’ve been confusing). I’m the oldest of 5 and have three younger sisters. I love when my sisters come to me for advice or ask my opinion on things and I can make them feel better or inspired.
Have you read Listening is an Act of Love? My husband got me that book for Christmas a few years ago and I really enjoyed the stories. I can’t wait to read their new book about love stories–Love Is All There Is. (http://storycorps.org/book/)
A list to find the hidden passion? That’s genius. Here goes, things I have been/am passionate about: babies (and eventually my own), books, young love and marriage, how-to’s on life, my sister, writing stories, decorating my home, blogging, growing friendships, parenting, searching for God, helping young mothers, painting, becoming creative
Not sure I see a connection…but maybe there’s one in there somewhere.
Catherine Denton
I see that you like to see things growing (children, stories, friendships, mothers, a painting). I see that you like words (books, stories, blogging). I see that you like relationships (young love and marriage, sisterhood, friendships, parenting, God, helping mothers). :) I don’t like the word “like”…but, alas. :)
Thank you. I see it clearer now with your reply.
Catherine Denton
i love your interest in CASA – i currently work for them! it was good for me to see you connecting it to ‘working for families and freedom’ today – i needed the reminder!
oh! i might need to chat with you about it sometime. i’ve always wanted to work with them–but i was too young when i first wanted to and then i had kids. ;) someday i will!
I am thinking…
What is casa?
sorry! meant to link that: http://www.casaforchildren.org/
What great timing for this post! I’ve been work on a list of things I’m passionate about for a while now and I’m starting to see some trends that are beginning to point me in a different direction than my current “day job” career, luckily though my blogging life picks up on some of these items; women’s history, food, international affairs, making, informing, travel, public health, planning, public speaking, growing my own food, and teaching.
so great! sounds very bohemian and all very related to me. honestly–your list very much describes what i think have traditionally been roles filled by women…but not roles that our generation of women feel are ours to speak to. public health, teaching, food, making, informing–have all long been the female role in societies. love that!
I love this—how all of our passions can merge to one over-arching passion. It makes so much sense.
all of my day-to-day passions certainly have done that. i’m a connector of dots, so when i started to notice that pattern about 1 year ago, i got very excited! :)
I’m a connector of dots, too! That’s one of my passions, lol.
Wow, this is really great. I’l be working on my list of passions in my journal…this takes some serious heart time with God. I’ve always worked with children in some capacity, and have a teaching license (but waiting for a certified position). I’m just beginning to wonder if public schools is still the route I want to go. Maybe focusing in on my “mini passions” will reveal that connection that portrays my long-lasting, fire-burning, wheels-turning, heart-pounding “big passion”. Thanks so much for this!
i feel like the direction i was planning to go, and the direction i actually go is SO different sometimes. i don’t know if that means that one was right and one was wrong–but sometimes you just choose differently than you’d thought you would or planned to. :) xo.
Sometimes things just look different once you get there.
Bridget, you’re abosolutley right! My… how perspectives change?
We only see the very next step. Fortunately God knows the whole game plan from the beginning, and he’s leading the way. :)
I have things I’m passionate about, but I don’t think they connect really, or I just haven’t found a way to connect them. I’m passionate about my marriage and new family, books, writing, reading, cross stitching, scrapbooking, blogging, the outdoors, Birth defect awareness, my close friends, self discovery and learning. I keep feeling I need to sacrifice some of the in order to truly appreciate the others.
It sounds like you have a lot of quiet, reflective interests. I think you’re right — you can’t do everything well all at once. However, you don’t necessarily have to “sacrifice” anything. Everything has its time. You may just need to wait on some things for a bit.
Thank you for the insight. It gives me something to contemplate.
what a grear exercise… mine are still revealing themselves to me. I think interests and passions might be a bit different, but here’s my list: children, teaching, singing & performing, health, distance running, setting & achieving big crazy goals, relationships, young women, helping others feel loved and empowered, feeding people delicious food, and encouragement.
Hmm…great to actually make a list! I’m passionate about God, marriage, teens, family and most recently helping children/families in need. I would love to see my passions come together or be more proactive in reaching out and putting feet to the things God has placed on my heart!
I am passionate about serving and encouraging others, but sometimes I find that all the other stuff I have to do in the day leaves little for otehrs.
I also find the more time I spend online the more I get caught up in others’ passions and lose focus of my own (I don’t know if that makes sense). I think I need to spend some intentional time time reflecting on my own passions and not comparing them to others’ successes.
I have always tried to identify what my one GREAT passion is…These posts make me realize that I don’t need to have just one passion to be great! So my list begins…being the best wife and mommy I can be, trying to let go and let God… living the life that God has planned for me, fashion and creating stylish everyday outfits for myself – even if I’m only wearing these outfits to target and church, traveling, the ocean and beach, organizing my home, hot summer days and my pool, reading, creating with my children…the list goes on…
Thank you for this exercise! Now to get some sleep so I can pursue some of my passions tomorrow.
xo
Your newest follower,
Melissa.B
Can independent be a passion ?
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