When you were younger did you ever dream of becoming an astronaut? A ballerina? A rock star? Do you ever wonder how life would be like if you followed those passions?
I recently read a book called "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear" written by Elizabeth Grant, the author of "EAT PRAY LOVE". The inspiring book addresses the challenges we face as adults when we try to live our lives doing what we love most. She discusses the attitudes, approaches and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives through stories and her own personal life lessons.
In the book, the author shares a story about her friend Susan. Susan had a passion for figure skating and competed as a child. Susan quit figure skating in her adolescence when she realized she would be unable to make a career out of her passion. For a quarter of a century, Susan felt empty and came to the realization that the last time she felt joyous was figure skating as a teenager. Susan went on a pursuit for life affirmation, found a rink, hired a coach and began ice skating three mornings a week before work. Skating made her feel alive and ageless. And no, she didn’t quit her job or win any championship medals but she was happy. She rediscovered her passion and went on to live a more fulfilling life.
I think we all can learn something from Susan’s story. In today’s society, there’s a creative burden placed on all of us during our adolescence. Why do a select few of us get to live out their dreams while the rest of us are condemned to live an average, inspiration-free existence? Why do we feel as that if we are not the best at something, we can’t do it at all?
As we get older, we forget all our passions for responsibility. We fear there is no time to change what has already been decided. It’s time to break that burden and rediscover our passions. However, in order to manifest this lifestyle, we need to be brave and courageous. You don’t need to be fearless; fear can be helpful but don’t let it keep you from living the joyous life you desire. Prepare yourself to be scared, prepare to be challenged, discovering a lifestyle that combines your passion and happiness is not an easy task. However, It’s always worth it. Life is short and miraculous. There’s so much possibility in your life just waiting to be discovered.
So I encourage you to follow that curiosity. Reopen that chapter in your life that once made you feel lively. Like Susan, we don’t all need to become Olympic athletes or multi-platinum recording artists. We don’t need to quit our day jobs or spend our life savings. Spend an hour a day reliving your passion whether it’s joining a recreational sports team, taking adult dance classes, whatever it may be; make the time. You’ll never know how self-fulfilling rediscovering your hidden passions can be until you try.
