Living Your Life Passionately

I watched a movie last night with Robin Williams called, “The World’s Greatest Dad”. Robin Williams’ character is a writer who has been writing for eight years but has yet to be published, ever! He states in the film that he has written four books, hundreds of articles and stories only to be rejected over and over. In order to make ends meet, he teaches one class at his son’s high school in English Literature. It begs the question, why? Why would he put himself through the time, effort and energy it takes to write, especially after experiencing so much rejection, over and over? The best way to describe it is because he is has a passion for writing! He has to do it. For him, it is like eating or breathing.

“Passion is defined as a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything”---a passion for music, dance or painting. Speaking of dance, the reason I started watching “Dancing with the Stars” eight years ago was because of these two kids on the show who were dancing pros, Derek and Julianne Hough. They were brother and sister and talented beyond belief. I studied them. Who were they? Where did they come from? How could they be so talented and still in their late teens? Come to find out, they had been dancing their whole lives, even giving up their childhood, home and family to study abroad. Can you imagine discovering your passion at that age, going after it, never looking back? So, how does one discover their passion?

For me, I have always been a voracious reader. When I was eleven, I remember discovering the classics such as “The Grapes of Wrath”, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, and Pearl S. Buck’s, “The Good Earth”. Reading led me to writing—poetry, screenplays and a novel. I have to write each day.

One of the best examples of true passion is the life of Vincent Van Gogh. He never became famous during his lifetime. His lack of success which led him to poverty and then madness was still not enough to quell the passion he had for his craft. Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime The Red Vineyard. He died at the age of 37. His painting career was over but his legacy lives on to this day as one of the greatest artists of all time.

If you are not sure exactly what your passion is, my best advice is to try lots of different things. You may hate reading but pick up a guitar, take a few lessons. Look what happened to Keith Urban? You will never know until you try. Get in touch with your heart, soul and consciousness and you will discover it–discover what makes your heart soar—what makes you smile—your passion!! Once you have named it and claimed it…go for It! Even if it means leaving your home, family or friends–and even if everyone you know is telling you that you are crazy–if you feel in your soul and in your gut that you must do it, must have it-- must live it to survive–congratulations! You have discovered your passion!