Having a passion is not abnormal. We all have them whether we recognize it or not. Sometimes we have to grow into them and sometimes they’re obvious from the very start. Having a passion is normal following it is not. Following your passion takes courage. Sometimes it takes beating odds and going against what others tell you to do. The road may be tougher, money may be tighter, but overall you will be happier. For all those who have decided to follow their passion, in some cases trumping the security of money for the promise of joy, this is for you.
One of my favorite stories to read, one that I go back to every once and a while, is about this girl who left her six figure job in a big city to serve ice cream on the beach. She, at the start, did not follow her passion. Or maybe she did, but the idea of living in a bustling city was overzealous and at a point she realized she was not living (to her standards) a well-lived life. She left her belongings, friends and stress behind for life on the shore. I realized that I respected her more for that, than her working hard to attain a high-paying job. Her following her passion made her story so unique. I feel that this is very telling of who I am, and if you feel the same way it’s very telling about you as well.
We’re lucky to be living in this country and day-of-age that we’re in. We are able to be whoever we want to be, and there are so many opportunities to follow our passion. It’s shocking that some think we’re forced into professions that we ultimately wont be happy in. If you’re not happy studying the material you’re studying in college, what makes you think it will get better in ten years? Being in college is the best time to approve yourself to follow your passion in life. Although, it’s arguable that anytime is the best time as long as you go for it. You could be forty-five years old and decide to finally follow your passion. As a preventative of serving any kind of unhappy time, I recommend the sooner the better!
If you’re stumped on what exactly your passion is, I have a tip. I once heard that your passion lies somewhere within what you loved to do as a child. Maybe if you loved to build things with Legos you’re destined to be an engineer. Maybe if you loved to dress up you’re meant to be a designer. For me, well I used to pretend I was a secret agent. But unfortunately the C.I.A is too hard to get into, and I realized pretty quick that wasn’t the life I wanted. When I was in middle school, I used to wake up before the sun came up to write stories. I have hundreds of them my parents have saved on flash drives throughout the years. I soon came to know that writing is what made me happy. I feel I can be creative and encourage people all from the comfort of my own computer. Even as a college student about to enter the school of journalism, when people ask what I want to do with it I shrug my shoulders. The only thing I know for sure is that I want to write. If I’m writing, I’ll be happy. I believe that is what following your passion is.
So I wish luck to all the childhood firemen, builders, drawers and talkers. One day you’ll be leaders, innovators, architects and speakers. You may be sacrificing some things for a reward so much more valuable. As long as you follow your passion wherever it may lead you, it will always direct you to happiness.
