My friend Saralyn asked a great question on Facebook the other night:
“What is something you used to be passionate about, but have let go over time?”
The answers from her friends ranged from classical ballet to learning German to making lamps from junk. The list of responses grew and grew as the night stretched on. Scrapbooking, skateboarding, wildlife rehab, writing, houseplants, drawing, painting, birding, baking, shooting pool, thrift shopping, tennis, cello, gardening, poetry, drumming…
I had to ask myself–what have I left by the wayside that used to be a passion? My quick response was quilting. I used to love to make quilts for babies…until I got busy having my own. One year for Valentines Day, I made Richard a pair of red quilted pillows with our initial stitched inside a heart. The last quilt I worked on was for Vivi. It never got bound. It’s still downstairs in my sewing stash.
I miss spending time at flea markets and antique auctions. I miss running on the weekends. I miss trying new recipes every week. I miss traveling. I miss going to movies. I miss rearranging my furniture. I miss listening to music.
But there’s writing. There’s the writing.
Tuesday night at boot camp, as I was huffing through a run, my coach Cynthea asked “How did you decide to start your blog?” My first response was, “I’ve always been a writer.” That felt so cool. Owning it. Not hedging it with, “Well, I like to write…” Straight up claiming it–I’m a writer.
This blog is almost a year old and I am a different person now than I was last January. I still haven’t finished the quilt and my recipes are boring and the running is HARD…but I’ve made time for this passion. I cannot tell you what a joy this space has become for me. Thank you for stopping by, for sharing your thoughts, for reading. After 279 posts, I can’t imagine going a week without writing!
So Saralyn’s question is still out there–What is something you used to be passionate about, but have let go over time? Is there a way to make some space for it in your life?
This is the only blog I read. I can’t wait to see what you have to say. You are SUCH a gifted writer!
Thanks, Holly! Share it with all your friends!
When you write, you inspire.
Thank you!
Hmmm … that really does get me thinking. Honestly, I think my passion is a passion to try new things. I’m always trying something new on for size. It makes the world a more interesting place. I’m going to chew on this some more – and go follow Saralyn’s post too.
A passion for exploration!