Posted by:
Mother Who Knows
(
)
Date: November 17, 2018 12:50AM
I have always had trouble finding one great "passion." I don't have one area of expertise. I am a Jack-of-all-trades, and a master of none. I have never been known for any one thing.
My passion is variety. Interests come and go, like the seasons. Music is one of my passions. I play the piano, and was the ward and stake organist for many years. I liked BOTH the piano and organ. I liked almost all music, but when the Mormons banned all music except for Mormon hymns or Mormon-composed music--well, I was NOT passionate about that kind of music. When I resigned from the cult, I had no access to an organ, and I play the piano only to teach my grandchildren, and play duets, or accompany them.
I can't play tennis or ski anymore, because of a knee injury. I cross-country ski, and go on "snow hikes" with my dog. When I couldn't walk, I drove up to the mountains, anyway, with my faithful dog in the car, and we at least got to see the pretty scenery. Sometimes, I would pack a special picnic for one, plus my dog, and have a "car picnic".
I'm passionate about nature, and I like watching birds, identifying their songs, and playing them on the piano.
I love taking pictures of scenery, wild life, my grandchildren, and other family members. Making frames is fun. Scrapbooking is fun, and can become very elaborate and all-consuming. Sometimes, I give small photo albums as gifts. There is no better Christmas gift than a nice album of photos! The photos get my mind off of my self, and onto the people in the pictures. A great escape.
A lot of women I know are more social than I, and they love their water-exercise classes at the local swimming pool. Some began, because their doctors recommended it, and now they go every single day, and wouldn't miss it for anything! One teaches the class, now.
Social women love their book clubs. They are everywhere, and would love to have you join! Some are supported by church groups, some meet in neighborhood homes, some meet at bookstores, some are online.
I love to learn. Over the years, I have taken classes in whatever subject I have needed for work, or whatever subject interests me at the time. One class does not have to become your life's career, you know. I forget a lot of the information, but the process of learning gives me a "high." Besides music, I keep up with astronomy, botany and gardening, zoology, natural science, geology, philosophy, geography, travel, football, rugby, soccer (my grandchildren play these), ballet, health and nutrition (I have no choice there), all the fine arts, studying other cultures, etc.
There will be subjects you will not love, so don't force yourself, thinking you SHOULD like these things. If you feel tired, or bored, look for something else to do. People brag about learning languages. I was forced to learn one in college, and became as fluent as the returned missionaries, but after I graduated, I haven't used it since. It was tedious, to me. I also don't like politics. Some people think I'm ignorant, but I learn the bare minimum, enough to vote, but I hate angry debates, and all the lies and fake news, etc. I would rather listen to classical music, and stare out the window.
I also hate cooking. Isn't that awful. Oh well. I love gardening and yard work, though. Keeping a clean house can be sort of a passion, when you are in the mood.
If you lose track of time, and stay up late at night doing something--that is what you want! That's getting into "flow." I would be learning something new on the piano or organ, and all of a sudden it was midnight, and I hadn't even eaten dinner! That is bliss! I'm lucky, because I get into that same "flow" in my career. I would actually rather work than socialize, except with my family, of course.
Before I had children, my pets were my passion. I highly recommend a pet! A cat is much easier to care for than a dog, and doesn't require walking.
My therapist says that "action precedes motivation". Another poster mentioned this. Sometimes, you have to try first, and get into the hobby a little bit, before making the decision whether you like it or not.
Have fun dabbling! Maybe, like me, your passion will be doing a little bit of everything!
My Mormon mother collected tea cups.
My athletic brother collected stamps.
My secret passion is Hallmark Christmas movies.
Is there something you like, that you laugh about?