Finding your passion. Realistically what does that even mean? For some of us it’s a flavor of gum that tickles our tongue with mango and other exotic fruits. For others it’s the feeling you get when your partner inspires you to connect with them in the moment of intimacy. But the truest form of passion is the one that is hardest to come by. This can be realized very quickly when someone asks you the infamous question, “So what do you like to do for fun?”
You stand there and frantically wrack your brain to find just one little nugget that will make you seem like an exciting human being. And while we all may be able to rattle off some hobbies, what sets those things apart are the details we want to expand on even further. A topic that can make your pupils dilate and your heart squeeze a little faster just knowing that you get to share it with someone else. What truly makes you feel connected with your inner self and the outer world?
I think what makes this concept hard to dive into, is the reality of what actually takes up our time because it is financially crucial or obligatory. We are all busy in our own ways and I sometimes feel as if I am an ant working within an anthill. Running around alongside my community members and building until the product is either complete or squashed by a giant sneaker. Now this may be a stretch, but it’s an image that we can visualize.
When I was a younger version of myself, I had this passion for storytelling. My family would say that I was technically a bit of a fibber, but this is my side of the tale so I can label it as I please. But it would get me into binds with teachers from speaking out of turn, get me landed on the “maybe” list for a competitive soccer team because I was distracting other players—you name it. But that’s how I know it is something hard wired into my system. It was the version of word vomit before “Mean Girls” came onto the screen & I have concluded it has more of a positive effect rather than the few negative setbacks it caused as an adolescent. As I matured, I understood the concept that there is a time and a place for everything. And as I talked about in my last post, it is now my time and my place to evolve as a storyteller.
There are so many fantastic qualities that we all possess, whether or not we are given the time of day to show them off. But what is so neat about life is that sometimes you can push past those boundaries and say screw it. As long as there is good intention and a little passion behind what you are expressing—no one can stop you from feeling satisfied about it. Whatever it is, start drawing more, dancing even if your mama gave you absolutely no rhythm and make some room for the things that move you.
Written By: Hayley Sutherland