Passion

I know I've been promising to write about passion for some time, but every time I sat down to do it, some other, more interesting or pressing topic came up. So, finally, I get to talk about passion.

Not that stuff that has you doing things you never thought you'd do in a sexual way. Maybe I'll cover this another time. On second thought, definitely not. Some things just have to go to the grave with you.

I'm talking about the passion that reinvigorates your love for life. I have been in social services for twenty years (oh my goodness). I've been able to do it because I have a passion for it. Not that bright eyed, bushy tailed, fresh out of college desire to help others passion. Nope. It's more of a- some folks aren't going to want it, but if I can just plant a seed for change, it will be there when they need it- type of service.

I fell into my passion. I was supposed to go to law school, but got married and postponed it. Of course, you know how that goes. You just don't go at all. Not once have I regretted it. Instead, I was a newlywed with her sheepskin hot off the presses. I didn't have a clue what to do with my liberal arts degree. My mother advised me to get a "good government job" because that's what black folks did back in her day. So, I took her advice and went down to my local department of human services (remember, this was 20 years ago), took a test, interviewed, and got a job. The rest is history.

People used to notice the passion I had for my work. Not so much anymore. I used to love to have the day pass in a frenzy of activity, with a mountain of paperwork remaining on my desk to take home because I would feel like I had accomplished something. It was great in it's heyday.

The last couple of years, my passion for this is waning. We normally call it burn out. It's time for me to do something different. For years, I have waxed poetic about what it would be like to be a full time writer. The trouble is, I was doing more talking than writing.

I started this year with a very small goal in mind. Write something at least five days a week. A blog was a great way to get started. So I did that.

What I found was that the best part of my day is when my fingers are flying over the keyboard, letting my thoughts out for the world to see, if they choose to look. After my blog, I feel exhilarated. I feel content. And what I have found is that I am already thinking about what I'll write about next.

So this month has been a big experiment for me. I needed to see if this was really what I wanted to do ( a resounding yes). And would I be committed (another yes).

Which has led me to decide that beginning Feb. 1, I will start my journey to complete my first novel. I have had many starts and stops, but now it's time to let the rubber meet the road. Since I can't hook my brain up to my computer and let the story write itself, I have to sit down and do it.

I am committing myself to writing 1000 words a day. When it's done, it's done. I'll think about the next phase when I have a completed manuscript.

So, what's your passion? Have you ever considered switching careers in mid-stream? What would you do if money were no object? How do you keep the dream alive?

Can't wait to read your responses.

Find and live your passion. Right now is as good a time as any.