Developing A Passion

 
Thinking Outside of the Box

I had the priveledge of attending a luncheon today put on by the Houston Women's Business Initiative.  The speaker was the fabulous Theresa Behenna, motivational speaker, author, pianist and recording artist.  Her topic was "Extraordinary Performance:  The New Norm for Tough Times."  Yes, I know this was meant to be a discussion of business in our trying economic times, but her words of wisdom also hit home personally for me as well.  She listed 5 points to excellence.

Point 1-  Passion
Since the death of Patrick, I have been on auto pilot.  All I could think of was, "I have to get through the end of the school year.  I have to get through all of Ashley's showers.  I have to get through the Rehersal dinner.  I have to get through Ashley's wedding."  My days have been a blur.  It was today when I realized that my passion had become "Just getting through".  Not something I am particullarly proud of but that is where I am. So, now I realize that I need to find what I am passionate about.

I enjoy lots of things. Reading, but I don't see myself as part of a book club. Reading what someone tells me to read reminds me too much of school. And it took me several years before I picked up a book for pleasure after I graduated from A&M. So, I do not feel passion is there. I love my animals. A friend of mine told me that my dogs would become very important during this process. She was right. They listen without trying to give me advice. Mr. C even let's me put my head on him when I am crying. And, he has never once told me to stop. He just turns around and licks my face. There are lots of things I could do with my love for animals....volunteer at an animal shelter, work for animal rights, or foster a rescue.
This sounds great, but when would I find the time? Maybe on the weekends, but does that qualify as a passion, then? Maybe not. So after giving this a lot of thought, I have finally decided that my true passions are writing and photography.

Writing requires very little. It can be squeezed in in a few moments and then picked up later when you are free again. That is the beauty of writing. Blogging opens up a whole new world for writing. Not only can you put your feelings down for others, they can comment back to you. Wow that is powerful connecting people. Therefore, I encourage you to comment whether you know me personally or not. Help me exercise my passion.

I want to close with final thought. Do you know what your passion is? What have you done lately to discover who you are? Knowing who we are inside is like Red Bull.....it gives you wings. I don't know about you, but now is my chance. I am going to fly.

Labels: change, passion, starting over, widow
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