When I started exploring this topic the first thing that came to mind were the people/things I love... Family. Friends. Music. Food. My life would be incredibly empty without my loving family & friends. Music surrounds me every possible moment... I can't imagine my life without it. It stirs up all kinds of emotions. And of course there is food... the kind that makes me close my eyes and wonder how anything could be this delicious.
But upon further reflection, I realized there are so many other emotions associated with passion. Feeling passionate involves excitement, anger, and inspiration. Passion has a way of moving you in powerful ways. So I decided to dig deeper and explore what I felt internally passionate about.
In my search I found this post on passion in which Kamsin says... "it's the thing that brings you great pleasure, the thing that makes you feel alive, that you pursue wholeheartedly and is often the main focus of your life, or certainly your thought life. We long to live our passion and not have to settle for second best."
What in my life could bring about this range of emotions? Photography & Travel. Yes, these are my constant passions.
Photography is definitely my passion. I capture moments in my life through a camera lens all the time. I'm obsessed with my camera. Taking photos brings me a happiness like no other. I love chronicling our lives through photography. I love it when I take a photo that I truly love... one that evokes a range of emotions and inspires me to capture more in life. Yet my passion for photography also brings feelings of disappointment and fear. Disappointment when I don't get the results I desire. And fear when I start thinking about the possibilities of making photography a career. Inevitably doubts crept into my plan and I let obstacles get in the way of doing something I desperately crave. Do I really have what it takes to do this? Could I really make a living taking photos? Would I regret not trying? Pursing my passion is a topic I'm really exploring right now. I just need to find the strength and pursue my passion wholeheartedly.
Traveling also brings me great pleasure. I feel excitement when I think about the travel opportunities I've experienced and the ones that still await me. Life with S enhances this passion. Without him I'm not so sure I would be experiencing life abroad. When we're traveling and we're in the moment I'm overwhelmed with the beauty our world offers. Just the other day I went to buy flowers at the city centre and I stopped for a few minutes. Taking in the beautiful European architecture, the cafes bustling with people enjoying their coffee, vendors selling beautiful flowers, and watching people pass me by I realized I'm living my passion for travel. I stood there for a moment and thought, "Wow. I can't believe this is my life. Thank you God for letting me experience this."
Like you, my life revolves around travel and photography. However, my travels abroad have been so much better for me since I have returned to single-dom! Do what I want, when I want, where I want!
Posted by: keith hillman | 25 February 2008 at 16:18
I have that, "Thank you God for blessing me so much" feeling all the time. In fact, I am working on a blog about it right now. We live in such an amazing place!
Posted by: Emily | 25 February 2008 at 16:34
I'm glad this prompt made you realize what your deeper passions are.
Thank God for passion, as it seems to be an energy inside that makes us do and feel things.
Posted by: devil mood | 25 February 2008 at 17:26
Great post! I envy your ability to travel! I can also relate to your passions for food and music; both being so important to me as well. There is nothing like that feeling of taking a bite of something so incredible that it makes you speechless. I can never understand how some people just consider food to be something you simple put in your mouth and eat.
Posted by: Jane | 25 February 2008 at 17:56
Travel, food and photography, I can totally relate! Sometimes I think my main reason for traveling is all the amazing food the world has to offer and photography just enhances all the experiences and allows me to look at all the places in a slightly different light!
Really glad my post helped focus your thoughts!
Posted by: Kamsin | 25 February 2008 at 19:59
Nice post and good take on the word - it varies, doesn't it...
Posted by: Tumblewords | 26 February 2008 at 01:31
Travel, food and photography. Good for you. I loved the food in Belgium too (Brussels to be more precise). Are you living in Antwerp?
Anyway great post and I'll come back to read more.
Posted by: sarala | 26 February 2008 at 02:34
I can't stop writing--ever. Even when I'm not writing, I'm writing in my head.
Do pursue your passions, they give you life and energy to share with others.
sprout.bloom.grow!
Posted by: V-Grrrl | 26 February 2008 at 10:50
Nice post! I have a passion for traveling as well. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Posted by: Lisa | 27 February 2008 at 19:25
From one passionate photographer to another, thank you for sharing your passionate words. You can do it and you will do it. I love traveling too and reading your words got me so excited to shoot my next trip! thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Amarettogirl | 29 February 2008 at 01:20