Image by Pedro Moura Pinheiro via Flickr
At Faith Barista we are jamming on this question:
What is a passion or interest you’d like to nurture and grow?
*********************************
I decided to broach this topic by just typing. I didn’t want to over analyze it. I was anxious to see what I came up with….just free flowing thought. By doing this I might get a better overall picture of my passions and interests…the things that I need to concentrate on growing. The great thing about this blog topic? And in reading what each person has to say? These blog posts will show a beautiful collage of God‘s creativity. He made each of us unique…and knows us each intimately. His passion is to be glorified…and His interest is each of us.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 NIV
My first reaction to this blog topic question would be, teaching. For as long as I can remember I’ve had a deep seated passion to teach, help, assist the special needs population. I had already decided my college major as a 16 year old. I knew what I wanted to do. I made it my goal to prepare for this career in any way possible. You can read about that, here. I’ve spent the last couple of decades (plus some) working with this community. It is a part of who I am.
Another passion of mine is writing. This desire to write goes back even further then the previous one I have mentioned. As a young child I would write in my journals. I would fill the blank pages of my fabric covered book with poetry. I’d write stories, verses and thoughts in my school girl swirly penmanship. When I was still in elementary school I gathered information and “produced” a handwritten family newsletter, which I then distributed to my many relatives. I’ve been blogging for the past 5 years. I’ve found out how much I love the communication available through social media. I also long to, one day, finish a book that has been written and rewritten in my mind a million times. Books and reading are definitely a passion of mine…and if I could write a book of my own, it would be like icing on the cake.
I’ve enjoyed drama and performing for as long as I can remember. I started out life as a camera ham. My family would often tease that if a camera was anywhere in sight, I would pose and smile. I would play “Spy” with my cousin during family get togethers. He and I would covertly crawl behind couches, hide in closets with the door cracked so we could hear, and quietly sit under dining room tables. The goal was to retrieve any interesting conversation and report back to base. Some might say this was eavesdropping on the adults. My cousin and I considered this valuable information, and not getting caught behind “enemy lines” was exhilarating. Yep, I was an 8 year old spy. As a teen I was in drama and skits at church, and lyric theatre in college. Everything from speeches to monologues, plays, skits and musicals…I love being on stage and drawing the audience into the performance. It is fun!
Lastly, I have to say that I very much enjoy decorating. God has given me an appreciation for aesthetics. Colors, textures, and light make me happy. I delight in pouring over design and decorating books. I revel in repurposed objects. I could spend an entire day in a junk store, or roaming the aisles of a flea market. My mind is always going…what can I use that for? Painting is fun, and rearranging furniture is a perk. Even though I would not consider myself a great photographer, there is something wonderful about getting just the right light around the clouds, seeing afternoon sun against the side of a bright red barn, or catching the smile of a child. Pictures tell stories and I love to “read” them.
Finally, there is traveling. I have a large collection of travel books. Most people who know me realize that I have “a thing” for the late Charles Kuralt. To me, he had the best job in the world….winding around the back roads of America. Talking with people, listening to their stories. I would have loved to meet him and ask him if he enjoyed finding out what was “up around the bend”. I don’t need to jet set around the world. As a matter of fact, in my opinion, flying isn’t the best way to travel. True, it gets one to the destination faster and being up above the clouds is awe inspiring but, it isn’t conducive to visiting. Give me back country roads, driving with no “apparent destination”, mom and pop shops, home made ice cream, and a cold sweet tea. Let me hear and see history through the stories of those that have been there. Now that, my friend, is my idea of a good time.
Teaching.
Writing.
Reading.
Performing.
Decorating.
Traveling.
These are my passions. My interests. They are what make me, me.
Like the saying goes…… “These are God’s gifts to me, what I do with them is my gift to God.”
******************************************
What are your passions and interests?
- From Passion to………. (openingoureyes.net)
- It Took Me 57 Years (tsonodablog.wordpress.com)
- Cultivating Your Passions (psychcentral.com)
- What is your passion? (lynnadavidson.wordpress.com)
- Cultivate Your Passions. (psychologytoday.com)
It Just Dawned On Me 