In the comments of the When Real Life Friends Don’t Get It” post, Sara Healy of A Sharing Connection said, “…I love blogging. I love every bit of it…”
I echo Sara’s sentiments.
I can truthfully say, blogging is more than a hobby, it’s a passion of mine.
But it hasn’t always been that way. In fact, I spent many years trying to figure out what I wanted to do when I “grow up”.
Although I do love the work I currently do (office administration), I felt I needed more. Something that would really make my heart sing. Something I would never tire of. Something that didn’t feel like a job. Like so many others, I wanted to say “I found my passion.”
For me, “blogging” became the answer.
My eyes are open to the fact many bloggers are also searching for their passion.
As I read the blogs of others, I know “something” is inspiring them to write about their specific topics. When I read their comments, I can see how they are more passionate about some topics, and less about others. If they are posting just to post, or commenting just to comment, it’s obvious, but when they are writing about that which drives them, their passion shines through.
With some bloggers, it’s obvious they love to write. Whereas others find joy in opening their readers eyes to a cause, sharing life lessons and/or leaving this world a better place.
When we look at why we blog, what we blog about, and which posts of others stir something within us, we may find ourselves closer to identifying our passion.
Today’s Lesson
Borrowing part of a post I wrote on my Observation Mountain blog titled, How To Find Your Passion and Make Money, I list 15 questions we can ask ourselves which will hopefully bring us closer to fulfilling that dream.
Let’s get started:
1) If money was not a worry, what could you see yourself doing? What would you do for free?
2) What do you do (hobbies or other), where you get lost in the project and time seems to “fly by”?.
3) As a child, what did you enjoy doing? Do you still enjoy that “activity”, but in a more grown up sort of way?
4) What are your strengths? Are you organized? Are you a care giver? Are you creative? Are you social? Other?
5) What do others say you are good at? If you’re not sure, ask your family and friends.
6) What don’t you like to do? Oftentimes, admitting what you don’t like to do, reveals more of what you like to do.
7) Do you feel passionate about something, but are too embarrassed to admit it to loved ones? Why?
8.) If you were to follow your passion, would others in your life “be left behind”? Do they have to be? Or is there a way of including them?
9) Are you making excuses for not following your passion because you might actually succeed? Are you afraid of success? Why?
10) If you know what you are passionate about, can you find a way to begin that journey, plus do what you’re doing now? i.e. go to school part time? Follow your passion “after hours”….?
11) If you admitted you wanted to follow your passion, and others laughed at you, or were negative, how would you react? Do you feel strongly enough about your passion to defend yourself? Do you really care what others think? Remember, many great inventors and big named business people were scoffed at.
12) What “gets to you”? Do you hate waste? Do you hate seeing children becoming obese by unhealthy eating habits? Do you hate paying good money for an inferior product? What “puts you on your soap box”?
13) Do you see something and KNOW you “have a better way”? Could you invent something?
14) If you were on your death bed today, would you have regrets because you did not follow your “dream”?
If you answered “yes” to #14,
15) What’s stopping you?
After you have taken time to write out the answers, step away from it. Wait for a few days or weeks and review your answers. Have they changed? Do you need to elaborate on any of your answers?
As you look at what you have written, you may soon see a common “theme” emerging.
Is this your passion?
You may realize you are a creative person who could make a product in your own home and sell it to local boutiques, small shops or online. Maybe, you are a stay at home mom who loves children and enjoys being a care giver. Setting up a day care may be right for you. Or maybe as a kid, you used to love to play with toy hammers and saws. Would you like to be a general contractor and build or remodel homes? Or make furniture?
If you have an idea for an invention, with some hard work and research, you could see it materialize.
The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
Today’s Assignment
Are you doing what you’re passionate about?
If not, what’s your biggest obstacle?
Is blogging helping you get closer to your goals?
Raise you hand and share where you are on the path to your dream.
~Barbara.
P.S. For your convenience, I’ve installed the “Sexy Bookmarks” plugin (see below). One of the options I’ve activated is named “Print Friendly” (top row – second from right). For this assignment you may want to print this post and take your time answering the list of 15 questions.
For myself, #6 has been very beneficial. When I wrote down what I didn’t enjoy doing or preferred not to do for a living, it helped bring me closer to doing what I love.
Yeah i agree with you, for me blogging is really awesome. It gives me enjoyment and found a lot of new friends. I been doing blogs many time but for free web host only. 🙂
.-= Check out Jonathan´s awesome post: Memory Foam Mattress Sale =-.
Hi Jonathan,
That’s true. With blogging we can find lots of new friends who not only support us in our efforts, but who write great articles. It’s a win-win.
Hi Barbara – These are great ways to find out where your passions lie. Blogging has helped me a great deal. I’m starting a Diploma in Business course with the OU this week.
I really think it will help me in my writing, as I’d like to write more on the topics of health, business and travel. And I’m particularly interested in learning more about ethical business, so I can write about it and influence others.
What I’ve found difficult is finding a way to tie my main interests together – health, business and travel and blogging has definitely helped.
I also love fiction writing and it is a challenge to fit everything into the time I have.
But I guess it’s good that I’ve realised that although I enjoy running a business, I really like writing about it even more.
Hi Catherine,
You’ve raised a good point. When we have more than one interest, our natural instinct is to tie them all together. With you loving to write so much, I could see you maybe creating a second site on which you write about one of the topics, and on the other tie two subjects together.
I could see you having a lot of fun writing a novel and incorporating all of your favorite topics together. Keep me posted.
Excellent list of questions! This part:
“14) If you were on your death bed today, would you have regrets because you did not follow your “dream”?
If you answered “yes” to #14,
15) What’s stopping you?”
really speaks to me…because I firmly believe that your own inner satisfaction and happiness come from knowing you’ve at least made the attempt to secure your dreams.
My passions are mainly raising my fantastic family, teaching folks online, and of course, my mooses. Can’t forget the mooses. 🙂
.-= Check out Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s awesome post: Kitten Pounces on WolfDog – Today’s Humor! =-.
Thank you Barbara,
That’s true. Knowing we’re at least working toward a dream can make a difference. It’s often what keeps us motivated each day.
And you’re right. We can’t forget about the mooses. 🙂
Wow, great list of questions! I can’t wait to get to work on them. Thanks for posting them and addressing this very important topic in this post.
.-= Check out Positively Present´s awesome post: finding hope on the bright side of the road =-.
You’re welcome Dani,
Have fun working on them. Let me know if they get you closer to that which you’re passionate about.
These are all great questions to help someone find their passion. For me, I have this passion of being a writer, of having books on the shelves with my name on them. It took me a long, long time to come to this realization, though, because I had spent so much time as a young adult burying that idea and believing that it was too “impractical”. As a result, I have taken many jobs that were close, but not really what I wanted. In short, I “sold out” my passion for commercial success…but that success has been extremely limited because I have never really put my heart into any job that I have had.
I’m proud to report that it will be changing soon. I just have to save enough money to make the transition as smoothly as possible, but then I’ll be on my way!
.-= Check out Jay Schryer´s awesome post: Memories Best Left Forgotten =-.
Thank you Jay,
That is SO exciting you will be closer to your dream. What you said is so true. We often sell our passion for another form of success. But like you said, our heart isn’t in it, and we’re left feeling unfulfilled (or cheated).
Hi Barbara!
In early April, while I was at Kripalu attending a writer’s workshop (and doing lots of downward facing dogs in between), a book, “The Passion Test” fell into my hands. I bought it.
My stepmom asked me what it was about and I told her it was about getting clearer on my passions. “Aren’t you already clear?” she asked me.
I laughed and told her that I can always be a little clearer (fuzzy wants = fuzzy outcomes)
I took the passion test. I didn’t skip any part of it. I am living and breathing my passion: To be a wildly successful writer.
That’s where my thoughts go and my energy flows.
xo
Peggy
.-= Check out Peggy´s awesome post: Your Moment of Bliss =-.
How exciting Peggy,
“The Passion Test” sounds like a great book. I’ll have to check it out.
I love how you worded that – “fuzzy wants = fuzzy outcomes”. Isn’t that the truth?
I can hear the excitement in your words and have no doubt you WILL achieve all you desire.
HI Barbara,
I love the list of questions. So perfect to actually awaken the creative spirit in you !
As for me and my passions- i love helping people with their problems & seeing them happy and smiley. I chose my profession{counseling psychologist} thinking of that and today i have started my blog thinking of the same thing. It took me a long time to see the big picture of what i truly wanted to do with my life. I always loved being of service to people and helping, but i never really knew how except for the regular work i was doing. But since i have discovered the miracle of blogging it has for me too become my passion, cause i can now reach more people and help more people attain happiness. I know its a small step and i am just getting started, but even one genuine smile from even one of my readers will make me feel like i have been doing what hopefully God intended me to do.
.-= Check out Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s awesome post: My New Beginnings =-.
Thank you Zeenat,
You put that so beautifully. Helping others certainly warms our heart, doesn’t it? And to see them smile? Oh yeah!
Like you, I also find blogging is a great way to extend our reach. Not only can we touch the lives of those who land on our blog, but as we visit others, through our comments we can spread it further.
I wish you great success on your journey.
Passion. As a psychologist and career counselor I tried to discover passion via tests and discussing previous usually very limited life experiences.
I had to quit because ‘passion’ you will only find by going out there and boldly tasting life (I am with Tess from The Bold Life on this one) and I needed to walk my talk.
Now I live passionately and I am passionately finding out how to get rid of unserving habits and beliefs that are in my way to deal with number #15.
BTW you set us up beautifully there, Barbara!
Wilma’s blog and http://www.womenlikemeonline.com happened organically and sprung from Ann-Marie, John and I questioning rigid life explanations that did not serve us.
I am passionate about this because now we have a workable understanding about life that is really serving us.
We are learning to do what we love doing, which means that we finally can access our purpose in a way that we are meant to. It also means for me an end to my procrastination and struggle habits. I am obtaining peace and fulfillment. I am excited that it is a process AND that it can be done, I and Ann-Marie are Do-ing it and reaping the benefits.
Oh my, I need to stop, as you can see I am really passionate about this.
.-= Check out Wilma Ham´s awesome post: What happens when instead of an old fashioned partner I become a sponsor. =-.
Hi Wilma,
You can keep “talking”. I love listening. 🙂
You’ve raised a good point. It’s often a limited amount of life experiences that prevent us from finding our passion. I mean, how do we really know if we love something if we haven’t had a chance to try it. Look at us bloggers. Who knew we would find so much enjoyment from publishing our work online for all to see, and then meeting such wonderful cyber friends. I know I don’t have to tell you, but this (blogging) experience is totally awesome.
I’m so happy you, John and Ann-Marie took the time to question life and what you wanted out of it. You’re now on a journey that can lead you to where ever you choose to go.
Buckle up my friend, I believe it’s going to be a fabulous ride.
Excellent post. Extremely valuable advice.
I am lucky – I love what I do. Although even “living the dream” and working from home as a freelance blogger has its drawbacks – so of course, nothing is perfect.
.-= Check out vered | blogger for hire´s awesome post: Did Karl Lagerfeld Just Call Me Fat? =-.
Thank you Vered,
Yes, you are lucky. Finding your passion and being able to do it from the comfort of your home is bliss.
I agree. There can be drawbacks, but the benefits far outweigh them.
What a burst of dazzling passion in this post that will inspire and ignite all who read it, Barbara. You seem to have “grown up” very well indeed!
It’s funny, I’m about 50/50 passionate for blogging and songwriting, (maybe 60/40 in favor of blogging lately) 🙂 but they do tie in together and the process of both is worth its weight in gold.
That’s dream-wise of course, I’m also passionate about my family — my sweeties who make it all worthwhile.
With music, I don’t have a label backing me or all the time and money in the world to record in the studio, but bit by bit I’m going to make my next CD happen, as I did the first one. And I have a feeling these next songs will be a real positive turning point for me.
So, as Vered, I’m lucky!
.-= Check out Jannie Funster´s awesome post: Goin’ For The Page Rank Juice =-.
Yes Jannie, you are lucky, too.
If I had to guess, I would have thought your songwriting would have a higher percentage, but when I look at how much fun you have with blogging, I can see how that, too has become a passion for you.
A second album? Of yeah! And a third, fourth, fifth….. Just remember, you did it once so you can definitely do it again and again.
We’re all cheering you on Jannie Girl. Just don’t forget about us when you’re rich and famous. 🙂
Hi Barbara – Question #3 got my attention. When I was a kid, especially as a very young kid, I really liked to paint and create art. Also, I had a thing for drawing on the walls in my house. 😉 I actually see this as a beginning to my blogging today. As a kid, I couldn’t write or think of complex ideas, but I could express my feelings/thoughts with paint and when I had a desire to write on the walls, maybe that was a desire to make my work “public” for others to see. So, my blogging today is really just a grown up version of “writing on the walls” – luckily, my writing is a little better and my ideas are more refined. 🙂
.-= Check out Amanda Linehan´s awesome post: Breathe =-.
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for sharing your “painting on the walls” story. I love how you tied it into blogging and going public with your work. That makes sense.
Now I have to ask, is there still an artist in you? Might you be sharing even more of your creativity on your blog?
I’ll be watching…. 🙂
Wow Barbara – that was fun! I’m glad I didn’t see those questions thirty years ago – in my fog decade. I’ve been writing and teaching all my life, (except that foggy part) from playing school as a kid, to teaching at Montessori and then creating my own enrichment lesson plans and teaching teachers – all the while writing, writing, writing. I’m definitely passionate about both teaching and writing.
Blogging is definitely helping me and the feedback has given me a whole new slant to a book I’ve written, so I’m rewriting it now. I love the freedom of topics, even putting in stories, and the blog schedule I’ve come up with for myself keeps me “regular”. I am definitely doing what I want and never run out of passion for it. Being “retired” now I’m also enjoying the whole freedom of that – and my hobbies of art and quilting. Never enough hours in the day!
.-= Check out suzen´s awesome post: Monkey See, Monkey Do =-.
Hi Suzen,
I’m happy to hear you had fun with this.
I had to chuckle at your comment – the part about playing school. That’s what my siblings and I did each summer.
Reading your comment I can see you found that common thread throughout your life – teaching and writing. And now, you get to do it at your leisure.
I’m so excited to hear you’re writing a book. With your other hobbies I wonder how you find the time, but then, we do make time for that which we love, don’t we?
Hi Barbara. These questions excite me. If money was no worry I’d be travelling the country in an RV, before finally settling down in my self-designed log cabin. I get lost in writing and time definitely flies by. I have to remind myself to eat in those cases. What would I do for free? Not sure specifically, but it would involve caring for animals or people, most likely the elderly as I’ve always had a weak spot for them.
.-= Check out Davina´s awesome post: 9. Thyme Out On A Mountain =-.
Hi Davina,
You’re a gal after my own heart. I too, have a soft spot for the elderly and animals.
I know I’ve said it before, but your writing is fabulous. You’re one of those writers who keeps their readers hanging on every word. THAT is a talent, and I also know, a passion of yours.
That’s funny how you mentioned traveling the country in an RV as that is what Jeanne (above comment) is currently doing. Mmmmmm, and a log cabin. That sounds so cozy.
When you hit the road, make sure you look me up. As you know, you’re just north of me. 🙂
I love to write and I love to sing…I do them all the time.
I hate that I seem to not be able to make any money except from cleaning houses…and I used to be able to get an income from counseling but not now for many reasons…
I love teaching and ethics….
I regret I can not sing any more…and I did not know that the surgery I had would remove the cancer and leave no music….Julie Andrews had a different surgery so she can still sing for pleasure…
Blogging gives me strength and an outlet for my writing and teaching…but I am very discouraged about my blog and my blogging love right now…my passions are not taking me down any pathways that I feel would give me the word success….
I am an awesome mom….but want to be awesome in some personal area of my life too….greedy perhaps
I was awesome for surviving being the first Ordained Woman in my location for my church….but only one person appreciates that out loud and she is now deceased, so her husband tries to remember to share that….being one of 11 women with 750 men was horrendous…but that is only awesome to me…
wow I am unloading here Barbara, you touched something in me tonight…
I need to go write in my journal…
I’ll say thank you later 🙂
.-= Check out Patricia´s awesome post: Jeepers Peepers – Where Have You Guys Gone? =-.
You’re welcome Patricia,
You are an awesome woman, Patricia. Never forget that. I am amazed at all you have accomplished. And being one of 11 women in a sea of 750 men. Wow! Surely you pat yourself on the back for that.
One thing I see with blogging is that it can be therapeutic. It’s like an online public journal that anyone can read, We put it “out there” not knowing how it will be received, but in many ways we feel better for getting it off our chests.
I don’t think blogging will necessarily be a passion for everyone, but it may be a vehicle to getting us closer to finding that which we truly love.
When I read how you love to write and sing (but can’t sing anymore), I feel there is “something” there. I can’t put my finger on it, but it may be something worth pursuing further.
You know I wish you all the best, Patricia. With time, “it” will come to you.
Oh wow; such questions to ponder! I know that one of my biggest passions is writing — not for the sake of writing, but for the sake of capturing (or trying to capture) moments and events and beauty that move me deeply, so that I can have a reference that will keep alive or bring to the forefront, whatever it was that made my heart skip a beat. Like Amanda’s art / painting / making public her thoughts. Writing is a release, as well, and blogging is a perfect marriage of releasing, capturing, and making public what moves me.
Does it need to be public? No — but, as a lifetime “loner” of sorts, it’s a warm and comforting discovery to find folks all over the world who share some of my deep-felt beliefs and values, and I relish the connection. I also ramble sometimes — sorry! I’m sitting here on the side of a mountain, looking at the lights of Colorado Springs down below, and I’m in a mood, go figure! Thanks for the questions. I gotta get back to them.
.-= Check out Jeanne´s awesome post: Into The Unexpected =-.
Hi Jeanne,
I was on your blog last night enjoying the photos you’ve taken along the way (on your road trip). The balloon ride looked awesome.
Your words reminded me of a post I did earlier titled “Are Introverts Better Bloggers” where we discussed how most bloggers are introverts. Oddly enough, although we may not voice our concerns in real life, we do feel comfortable sharing them with a much larger audience. I’m not quite sure why that is, but blogging does give us that outlet we may not find in the real world. And yes, in blogosphere we do find many who are like us, who joyfully read our words (even if we ramble) and continually come back for more.
I can see in your posts your love of capturing those moments you experience. Not only are you creating a journal for yourself, but you’re taking all of us along for the ride.
For that, I say thank you. You’re a great traveling companion.
Hi Barbara – I just discovered your site – lovely! Great questions too. I am doing something I’m passionate about, and blogging was simply meant to be an extension of that. But the fascinating twist for me is that blogging has actually opened me up to new insights about who I am, where I’m going, what’s important. It’s served an evolutionary function, quite unexpected. I’m not even fully sure where it’s taking me, as I have no particular destination in mind. For now I’m just glad to let it drive me somewhere interesting.
.-= Check out Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s awesome post: The Archetype of Relationship =-.
Thank you Patty,
It’s great to see you here.
What you said about blogging is so true. It does open us up to who we are and where we’re going. For one, it gives us an opportunity to share and if we let it, blogging take us on an extraordinary journey. We just need to remember to let it lead (us).
P.S. I just checked out your blog. I love what I’ve found and will be visiting you soon.
P.S.S. Happy 23rd Anniversary! 🙂
You *know* I’m doing what I have a passion for! 😉
That being said, despite how much I love being a Someday Mentor, if I had the money to take away worries about paying bills and eating, I’d drop everything and spend all my time writing fiction.
.-= Check out Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s awesome post: Measuring Success: The Lab Rats Review Their Progress =-.
Hi Alex,
Yes, I KNOW you love being a someday mentor. And, you do it better than anyone I know. You’re the man. 🙂
Writing fiction? I can see you doing that, too. And just think, when the day comes when you can, blogging and someday mentoring will have given you tons of dialogue and colorful characters for your books.
BTW: I want an autographed copy of each one. 🙂
I ache to be known as a writer. A fiction writer. I hate putting it down on paper. Makes me accountable for my dreams in everybody’s eyes. When usually I only have to deal with that inner voice which nags, “So what have you done today to bring you closer to being the writer you dream yourself to be!”
.-= Check out jan geronimo´s awesome post: 27 Reasons Why Jena Isle’s Inspirational Book Rocks =-.
Hi Jan,
So, you know what you want. That’s half the battle. Listening to that inner voice is a good thing. It could get you closer to your dream faster.
And yes, admitting it does make you accountable, but on the other hand, may help to keep you focused.
I wish you all the best.
My passion has changed every 10-15 years. I’m in transition now trying to figure out the big picture. It can be overwhelming at times and I tell myself I don’t have to see it all…just get started and keep going. I love what Peggy says fuzzy focus = fuzzy outcomes!
.-= Check out Tess The Bold Life´s awesome post: There Is Nothing To Fear =-.
Hi Tess,
That transition period can be daunting, hey? You’re advice to just get started and keep going is spot on. Usually when we do that, the rest seems to fall into place.
The mystery of where we land is part of the excitement. Please do keep me up to date on your progress.
Barbara I forgot to say one important thing…Nadia has said this beautifully in her comment. Your dedication and passion to blogging shows through in a big way. Not only in your consistently valuable blog posts, but through the connections you make and continue to support online and on Twitter. You are one in a million and if I do ever take to the road in an RV you can bet I’ll be looking you up. I’ll bring some of those chocolate brownies with me 🙂
.-= Check out Davina´s awesome post: 9. Thyme Out On A Mountain =-.
Hi again Davina,
How kind of you to come back and elaborate on your comment. I am humbled and honored by your kind words.
Mmmmmm. Chocolate brownies. Yum! And didn’t you say they also have frosting on them? And….they’re calorie free? 😆
Hi Barbara
Great post! I resonate very much with your love for blogging as I love to write – and write whether it is on a blog or even any other medium. I have loved writing since I was a teen and today I am living out that dream.
I love the reflective questions! Any regrets? Not really. I do travel regularly, but always wish I could do more, but that still wouldn’t be a regret.
Today I am happy to say I am living with passion and consciousness in every area of my life and loving it. And the best part is that everything I have in my life really reflects that – so I feel doubly blessed and grateful 🙂
.-= Check out Evita´s awesome post: To Your Potential =-.
Thank you Evita,
Isn’t blogging a great medium for writers or anyone who wants to get their message out? Where else can we share our thoughts, get almost immediate feedback from readers and receive encouragement from people all over the world?
I’m happy for you Evita. It sounds like you discovered your passion early in life, stuck with it and continue to grow your dream.
I read your about page again. I am amazed at all you do and want to thank you for all that you share.
Barbara — Wow, thank you for the link and what you said. It’s interesting that my answer was immediate for the first question about fulfilling your dream — writing/blogging!!!
I think this is a wonderful post. It is definitely one of my favorites and not because of the link:~) This one seemed to be a bit closer to your heart. It makes me realize again how much passion you put into your blogging.
It’s interesting to read through the comments. You really touched a lot of people with this post:~)
.-= Check out Sara B. Healy´s awesome post: Like Minds: The Love List Project =-.
You’re welcome Sara, and thank you for your kind words,
Look at you – new avatar and all. I like it. :0
*smiles* Isn’t blogging the greatest? Like you, I love all aspects of it. Although my goal isn’t to be a famous writer, I do like how blogging gives me the chance to express my creative side.
I’m curious though. As a writer, where do you hope to go with that? Fiction? Non fiction? A book deal? Other?
Hi Barbara,
Your passion for blogging shines through with every post. That is why it is such a joy to read your blog.
For me, blogging helped me to finally realize what is my calling. I had some ideas here and there but was never really sure. Blogging changed my life around because it confirmed what I had felt for years. It provided me with proof that I could do what I felt that I was meant to do. I am so grateful that I followed my inner voice and created a blog.
I love my blog. I love everything about blogging. It never feels like work. I was initially amazed at how much time it took but that did not get in my way. It truly is a joy and it will be interesting to see how the road develops. At this point, there is a fork in the road and I am interested to see how it pans out. Either way, I will keep on living my passion.
.-= Check out Nadia – Happy Lotus´s awesome post: Breathe in Life – Interview with Dorothea Delgado =-.
Thank you for your sweet words Nadia,
Isn’t that amazing how we can spend so much time at blogging, but it doesn’t “feel” like work? To me, that’s living our passion.
And for some reason (maybe because it’s therapeutic), blogging does seem to bring us closer to what else drives us in life. That’s pretty awesome.
A fork in the road? I’m intrigued, but I know you’ll be sharing where the path leads you, so I’ll be patient and will wait until you blog about it. 🙂
Great questions! I cant wait to start working on them. I am still trying to figure out what I want to do and what I CAN do. Blogging has helped me become a better writer in general (practice makes perfect), but office administration was always my “career” in the past too. Unforeseen circumstances has pulled me away from that and now I do have time to reflect what I want to do.
Before I dig into the questions, if money (and health insurance!) wasn’t an issue, I would volunteer working with disadvantaged children and people with disabilities. I’d spend the rest of my time working on art projects and hobbies.
.-= Check out carla | green and chic´s awesome post: Blog Action Day 2009: Do we think about climate change? =-.
Thank you Carla,
That’s true. Blogging does help to make us better writers. And even though that can help us be also become better bloggers, it’s that experience we can take into the real world, as well.
Working with disadvantaged children and/or people with disabilities sure would be rewarding.
You’ll have to keep me posted on your progress, Carla. Are any of those hobbies pulling at your heart strings?
I really enjoy blogging and I think it is because I feel like I get closer to figuring out various aspects of my life through writing (and receiving comments). I really enjoyed answering the questions you laid out. I have been asking myself similar questions and my answers are definitely starting to become more and more consistent. The biggest question I still need to answer is “What venue or context would help me be most successful and happy in pursuing my passion.” At this point in my life, I’m willing to wait and see which doors open. In the meantime, I’m acting with integrity to include my passion in as many things that I already do.
Thank you for writing this post and for asking important questions.
.-= Check out Daphne´s awesome post: Own Your Way =-.
You’re welcome Daphne,
Blogging does that? Doesn’t it? – takes us closer to that which we’re passionate about. And I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’ll read a blog post (by another blogger) and a light bulb will go off. I’m like, “Yeah, now I get it…”
You mentioned finding your venue. I don’t know if this will help you (and it may even sound a tad bit morbid), but when I went back to college a dozen or more years ago, in one of my classes we were asked to write our own obituary. We were told to write how we wanted to be remembered, etc. By writing about my life “in reverse” (so to speak), it helped to remind me how I wanted to live the rest of my life. Does that make sense?
Getting into the habit you use, to act with integrity in all you do, is also a great way to open yourself to more possibilities.
Meanwhile, it sounds like you’re enjoying the journey.
Hi Barbara,
This is a great post. The questions you provided are wonderful; definite keepers! It has been extremely joyful reading through the comments collected here. I wrote down what Wilma contributed–what a statement!! She wrote, “We are learning to do what we love doing, which means that we finally can access our purpose in a way that we are meant to. It also means for me an end to my procrastination and struggle habits.” Does it get any better than that?!
Part of my own passion for blogging is that it introduced me to a world of like-minded people. In many ways, this community feels like home to me.
Have a wonderful weekend, Barbara!! Jodi
.-= Check out Jodi at Joy Discovered´s awesome post: Love in All Directions =-.
Thank you Jodi,
I’m happy to hear you enjoy the questions. What you said is so true. Blogging does introduce us to like minded people, most of whom have our backs. When we’re trying to live our passion or are pursuing our dreams, we couldn’t ask for a better support group.
I love how you put that, “this community feels like home to me”. I agree.
P.S. I hope you have a great weekend, too.
Thanks for this great post. I am going away this weekend for a little reading, writing and R&R and one of the things I wanted to do was to think about what I want to do! These are great questions to get me started. – Georgina
http://www.dadssecondwhatever.blogspot.com
http://www.oholivejuice.blogspot.com
You’re welcome Georgina,
I wish you well on your journey to discovery. I hope your weekend fills all of your expectations and you come back well rested with tons of ideas for where to start.
Please do keep me posted on your progress.
Hey Barbara,
Doing the things that you like most is always a fun. When I was 18 I read a quote which I think needs to be mentioned here, it is “You Get Time To Do What You Like To Do” and time plays a vital role in blogging, isn’t it.
I always appreciated it and it is true in all sense.
The main feature of blogging for the things you like is that you never gets bored of it on the contrary you always have something new to tell to your readers. And this is what counts.
The 15 questions that you have mentioned are a real wonderful way to make anyone find a niche for himself.
.-= Check out Saurabharya´s awesome post: My Friend… =-.
Thank you Saurabharya,
I like that quote. And yes, we always find time to do that which we enjoy.
And yes, with blogging when we enjoy it, it’s never boring. There’s so much to share.
Hi Barbara .. I feel my blog is ‘where I want to be’ and there are so many opportunities that can arise from it – it offers a way of life, as well as a source of revenue for fund raising, it seems to resonate. I just need to have the time to develop the whole thing.
I now do have a little more time – I have my mother, but she is here and as long as I can communicate with her and keep her amused and interested, which is where the blog comes in – as well as the iphone for the pictures – she loves it!!! Absolutely incredible!
So I can now move forward a little with a complementary project to my blog – one thing at a time ..
This interaction of ideas is so great – thanks ..
all the best – Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
.-= Check out Hilary´s awesome post: What can you read from Kitchen Utensils? =-.
You’re welcome Hilary,
That’s so true. If we take one thing at a time, soon we can complete the whole picture.
Keep your dream alive and someday it will become a reality. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Most of us didn’t pursue our passion because we keep on listening to what other people say. I can still remember what my brother told me before, that it would be very hard for me to penetrate blogging because most people are into blogging already. Months later, I discovered that most bloggers abandoned their blogs. That’s a great sign that it is still possible to be successful in blogging if I only know what I’m doing.
LESSON: If you want something to happen, make it possible to happen. Follow your heart and not other people thoughts. Though, their ideas can sometimes be useful, try to weigh things out.
.-= Check out Michael Frost´s awesome post: Choosing a Layout for your Kitchen =-.
Hi Michael,
Thank you for sharing the great lesson. I agree. When we listen to others, we could easily become discouraged. And like you found out, although your brother told you it would be hard to penetrate blogging, you did your homework and found out most blogs don’t make it.
And yes. Other people’s ideas can be useful, but like you said, we need to weigh them out and use what works for us.
P.S. I’m happy to hear you followed your heart and pursued blogging anyway.
Hi Barbara,
I seriously love this article and it speaks to my heart in a really big way. I am saving it as a favorite si I can read it over again and again. I’ve been going through this process for over a year now and have discovered my passion.
You really “hit the nail on the head” with this article Barbara. Thank you very much for writing about your passion. By doing so, you’re helping other of us out here pursue ours.
Gratefully,
.-= Check out Keith´s awesome post: Overload Your Life! =-.
Thank you for your kind words Keith,
I’m happy to hear you also found your passion. It’s a good feeling, isn’t it?
By the way, did you have a chance to read Tom’s interview I posted on Saturday? (Seize the Opportunity… ) He takes things a little further and raises the issue of true callings.
Barbara,
Struggling with the “What I want to be when I grow up” concept, this post is very timely for me. I’m taking the time to print this list and I’ll spend some time in contemplative silence, examining my answers.
Great list of thought provoking questions.
George
Hi George,
I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying the questions. Like I mentioned, on my journey I did part of it backwards and began asking myself what I didn’t want. Slowly, what I did want from life, emerged.
I wish you the best on finding your passion, too. 🙂