Following your Passion

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Today many people are talking about purpose - finding their purpose or what is their purpose.  Suddenly there's a onslaught of people wanting to find their purpose (Sorry Simon Sinek, but it's not that easy).  Let’s change the conversation and ask 'What are you passionate about?' or what were you passionate about growing up and were unable to follow due to circumstances, money or some other barrier that at the time you felt were insurmountable.  What was it that kept you awake at night, and had you dreaming?  
 
For me it was painting and design – there was no way I was able to follow that dream, in a new Country and with no parental support I was unable to find the finance to enter college to pursue that dream.  Later, at 30 and in another new Country, I entered design school and nearly completed my studies when I became a Mom, and in order to keep my small family together I had to move cities for work, and left my studies with a couple of courses to finish.  I will complete them, sometime soon.  However, in the meanwhile I was able to continue my love of design by making my own and my kids clothes (until they begged me to be able to buy them like other kids!),  and through painting and refurbishing furniture.
 
When I ask my kids why I couldn’t have a child who entered a profession that actually made a lot of money to keep me in my old age, they laugh and say, ‘it was you, you who told us to follow our passion!’.  I own it, and know that they love what they do.  I wouldn’t have it any other way. 
 
I believe it’s never too late to follow your passion, you have only to look back at what carried you through your teens or early twenties, for some it was old cars, others it may have been painting, or playing with clay, what was it that you loved to do, that allowed you to get lost, forget about time?
 
There’s a great song by Nickelback (yea Canadian!) called ‘If Today was your Last Day’.  It asks the question if you knew you only had today what would you do differently, and in it, it says
 
‘You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do what it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin’ stand in your way
‘Cause the hands of time are never of your side’
(Lyrics by Chad Kroeger)
 
(listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=99&v=maINUv2H8A0)
 
So forget about finding your purpose, go with what feels great, what fills you with joy - whether it's making art or music that makes others feel good,  designing websites that provides a platform on which to serve others; or enjoying your sport, through playing or coaching others.  Following your passion, you will find, fulfills your purpose!

Remember only you are in charge of how you live this life, and there is plenty of life left in you to live, so why not try following your passion?

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Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash