CHAPTER
11

Pursuing Your Passions

In This Chapter

• Seeing passion as “self-full” rather than “selfish”
• Getting in touch with your passions and hobbies
• How collecting can lead to creativity
• How achieving balance in your life makes room for creativity

Passion is a powerful driver of creativity. It is what makes your heart sing, your eyes light up, and your inner creator dance for joy. So in this delicious chapter, you will be tapping into your true, authentic self, as defined by you and your passions!

While you may already be aware of what you’re passionate about, once you explore this chapter, you may find you’ve discovered some additional loves. Or if you’re at a time in your life when you’re not feeling enthusiastic about anything in particular, this chapter provides the perfect opportunity to give yourself permission to dream, notice what stirs your soul, and ultimately decide what is yours to do.

What It Means to Be Passionate

In Chapter 1, I asked you to note the images, words, and phrases that came to your mind when hearing the word creativity. You may have listed things like painting, sculpting, photography, jewelry, woodworking, acting, screenwriting, filmmaking, writing, songwriting, playing music, or dancing. It may have even been something outside the arts that are typically associated with creativity. No matter the subject, they can be considered a passion.

What’s your passion? Maybe it’s an art form you’ve been practicing for years, or maybe it’s a more recent pursuit. It could be something you do in the workplace or a hobby to which you dedicate your time and talents. Whatever the case, being passionate about something means you have a strong desire or interest in the subject.

Passions are often fueled by emotions that are tied into beliefs and social and moral issues, and the intensity of your feelings drives them. You’re inspired, eager, and energized to learn more and take action to purse your passions. They feed your soul, make you feel happy, and help you live your life “on purpose.”

Passions vs. Goals

Your passion doesn’t have to be tied to a specific activity as much as a feeling that you’re after. In the book The Passion Test, authors Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood address this difference by defining passion as “how you choose to live your life” and a goal as “something you aim to achieve.” So while a goal is focused on the outcome, a passion is about the process behind how you accomplish your goals.

For example, maybe you feel strongly about serving others, which can manifest in a number of ways, such as volunteering in a soup kitchen or visiting those without family in a nursing home. Decorating your home, walking on the beach, and staying physically fit are other examples of passions. For me, my passion of serving others comes in the form of supporting people on their creative paths. Recognizing that led me to become a certified creativity coach and made me feel strongly about writing this book. Simply put: your passions are things you love to be, do, or have. They hold value and meaning. They turn you on.

CREATIVITY KEY

If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you do? If money were no obstacle, what would you pursue? If you didn’t have to work, what would you take on? These are important questions for you to answer because they allow you to use your imagination without erecting walls and boundaries. Allow yourself to fully explore with no limitations whatsoever. This will help you tap into your passions.

Overcoming Common Blocks to Passion

I believe everyone is passionate about something. Passions are about what you love in life. However, there is a negative connotation to having passion that can keep some people—possibly even you—from fully embracing it.

For example, I once had a friend say to me “I’m not passionate about anything.” In this case, the problem wasn’t a lack of passion, but what my friend considered to be things people should be passionate about. This arises when you begin to compare yourself to other people, a block I identified for you in Chapter 6. You might think if you’re not passionate about a cause that involves hundreds or thousands of people, your passions are not worthy. Yes, it feels great to help other people, but passion starts with one person—you. While it’s true there may be varying levels of passion, that doesn’t mean what you’re passionate about is better or worse than anyone else’s. In the end, passion should be something that is uplifting to your soul.

Another common issue in relation to passion is the “selfishness” associated with it. Sometimes people feel guilty because they think they’re being selfish when they lock themselves in a room and spend a few hours painting or taking up some other solo activity. Pursuing your passions is what I call being “self-full”—filling yourself with the loves of your life—not “self-ish.” Allowing yourself to become immersed in your passions is about filling up your tank. If you ignore what helps give you life, just like a vehicle, it won’t be long before you’re running on empty and unable to give to yourself or anyone else. Being self-full doesn’t mean you shirk responsibilities to your family, friends, or co-workers; it just means taking the time to fill yourself up with goodness so you can function from your highest and best self possible. It is from this place of self that you are able to give back to others.

For example, one of my passions is having music in my life—learning and playing instruments, singing and songwriting, and listening to live and recorded music. For many years, I kept my songwriting and performing to myself, unable to share with others due to my own blocks. I derived a certain amount of satisfaction and pleasure by practicing this passion privately. Later, I learned how much more I nurtured myself and others by sharing my gifts. As you can see, what may be considered a “selfish” practice by some can nurture both you and others.

INSPIRATIONAL INSIGHT

“I would rather die of passion than of boredom.”

—Vincent van Gogh

So you’re missing out on a big piece of your life if you don’t allow yourself to pursue what you love. It makes no difference if you’re a professional, a homemaker, retired, a full-time creative, or working in a field that has nothing to do with the arts. It’s time to take a serious look at play! This is your time to dream with no limits; to really feel into your passions; and to discover, uncover, and recover what has either been missing or hiding from your life.

Getting Lost in Time

One way you can determine what you love is by recalling those activities in which you lose all track of time. As long as this doesn’t lead to you missing important appointments or obligations, this feeling can be wonderful because it means you’re enjoying what you’re doing in the moment. And without even noticing, those moments become minutes, which become hours. For example, as a night owl, I often stay up until 2 in the morning, especially if I’m engaged in a creative activity such as doing video postproduction. I am so engrossed with what I’m doing that time speeds by unnoticed. What causes you to get “lost in time”? What do you feel you could do “forever” and not grow tired of?

Start to observe when time seems to vanish into thin air. How often does it happen? When it occurs, do you seem to be more focused, more joyful, or more intense? While there are occasions when you get “stuck” in a situation that’s beyond your control, for those times when you are in charge, notice how you spend your time, how fast or slow it seems to go, and the reasons behind these feelings. You’ll know what constitutes good decisions on your part by how you’re feeling both during and after your activity.

As you think of those occasions, are there any that feel like you’re wasting your time? I’m not talking about taking a break every now and then. That’s an essential part to providing balance in your life. See if you can get better at “catching” yourself spending time unproductively. One clue is when a guilty feeling comes over you while you’re doing the activity. Once you become aware, you can either consciously decide to continue and enjoy it; stop in that moment; or set a reasonable time limit to continue and then stop. Making a conscious decision will turn a time waster into something more productive. You can also take a few moments now and write down three to five ways you waste time and then do the same for the activities in which it seems time flies. There’s a reason for that saying “Time flies when you’re having fun!”

If you recall in Chapter 6, I made the point that the amount of time doesn’t change. The quality of how you spend your time does change though, depending on what activities you undertake. The great news is that, once again, you get to decide! Ruminating what keeps you in the moment and causes you to lose track of time will help you prepare for the next creative play.

CREATIVITY KEY

One of the keys to uncovering and discovering your passions is to allow yourself to be vulnerable enough to fully examine what’s in your heart. Think about what really matters to you and leave all judgment behind. Do not compare your interests to anyone else’s. Only you can determine what truly nourishes your inner being.

Connecting Creativity with Collections

Sometimes your passions are tied to things you collect—coins, comic books, butterflies, stamps, sports memorabilia, antiques, cars, autographs, shells, tools, recipes, books, political paraphernalia, artwork, records, and dolls, to name a few. Some collections hold financial value, while others only hold sentimental significance. Some may collect to associate themselves with a part of history, while others collect and share their treasures with people simply because it’s fun. Some may even collect as a way to establish a unique identity, such as “the tie-dye queen” or “the king of pocket knives.” Are you one of the many folks who enjoy collecting things? Collecting is a process that may be helpful in identifying your passions and inspiring your creativity.

For example, I grew up in a super-small Ohio town and there were very few stores. But there was one place within walking distance to my home that intrigued my siblings and me. I’m not sure if this was the actual name, but we called it “The Rock Shop.” The man who ran the store had beautiful collections of rocks and I guess it’s that memory that inspires me to collect rocks today. In recent years, a creative spark moved me to paint encouraging words on some old rocks I had gathered from a brook, which provided a pleasurable afternoon of creative activity.

Do you have collections that inspire your creativity in some way, either directly or indirectly? For instance, if you’re into collecting butterflies, you might have them strewn throughout your house in the form of paintings, designs in mugs, or a stained-glass ornamental piece that hangs in front of your kitchen window. A direct creative connection could be that you paint pictures with butterflies in them or photograph them. An indirect connection might be that just having them around your house provides an atmosphere that makes you feel cheerful and light, which sets the mood for you to create. Whatever the case, your passion for collecting can turn into a creative outlet.

Committing to Personal Pleasure

Now that you’re better attuned to your passions, you may have discovered they are associated with a particular hobby or perhaps more than one. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. Some may feel like their lives are already too packed to add a hobby. If you are not actively engaged with a hobby, I strongly encourage you to begin one—if for no other reason than to see what kind of a difference this commitment may make in your life. You could be pleasantly surprised.

Benefits of Having a Hobby

There are many benefits to having a hobby that can enhance your creativity and then some. In a New York Times online article, Eilene Zimmerman referenced several medical experts on the benefits of hobbies. One said hobbies can help you think with more clarity and concentration and can elevate your creativity, while another stated that “lost in the moment” feeling of focus can release brain chemicals that ultimately help to energize you and make you feel more optimistic.

CREATIVITY COMPASS

From the time Diane was a young child, she enjoyed drawing and painting and went on to major in art in college. She worked briefly as a graphic designer before getting married and starting a family. Her artwork went by the wayside as she reared her family of four and homeschooled them. Once her youngest child began attending the public high school, however, Diane felt the urge to start painting again. She felt very unsure of herself after taking a 30-year hiatus from a hobby that she once loved. But with some coaching encouragement, she began painting every day. Within three months, she not only completed her first painting in decades, she also was accepted to show her work in a public art show!

Hobbies have also been known to help those involved with them to improve their mental and physical health with lower blood pressure, less depression, and reduced stress. For example, spending time focused on a specific leisure activity can provide a positive diversion from the workplace and routine responsibilities, which can lead to a more relaxed attitude.

Hobbies also help you tune in to your talents—gifts you may not have even realized that you had—and open up a whole new world for you. For example, one of my creativity students thought her primary creative interest was music until she started painting. Her life then took off in a new direction. So engaging in a hobby allows you to learn more about the chosen subject and develop new skills, which makes you a more interesting and creative person.

There’s also a social element to hobbies that can foster creativity. Being involved with your hobby may lead you down a path of connecting with like-minded people and making new friends. Plus, breaking from your routine also gives you a chance to see things from a new perspective, which may translate to new ideas in the workplace, with your family, or insights about yourself.

How to Get Started

If you’re feeling hesitant to make such a commitment, the following are some ways to get you started (check out the creative play for another option):

Begin with a short-term project and see how it makes you feel. That way, you can always decide later whether you wish to continue. For example, if you have an interest in making art, check to see if there are any classes available that are packaged in six-week courses in the medium of your choice, be it painting, sculpture, stained glass, woodworking, or something else. If you’re interested in dance, different types of dance classes are usually offered for couples and groups on a short-term basis. Or you can attend a single daylong workshop on a topic you want to explore to see if you leave feeling inspired to take action.

Harness the power of the internet. Going online to YouTube provides a quick and cost-free way to learn many new things, from playing an instrument to making birdhouses. It also lets you explore hobbies on your own time, from the comfort of home.

Follow your friend’s lead. If you have a friend or co-worker who is already involved with an activity that interests you, see if you can tag along to see how inspired you feel from observing or getting involved while having someone who has been at it for a while share information.

When exploring a hobby, do it with an open mind and a positive attitude. Otherwise, you’ll defeat the purpose without giving it a fair chance. If you find a hobby that brings a sense of freedom and fun, you can keep going as long as you’d like. If your interest turns out to be different from what you had hoped, it’s not permanent; you’re free to seek another hobby at any time. Investing in yourself, even if it’s for a limited period of time, may bring you more joy than you could have ever expected and leave you wanting more!

CREATIVITY KEY

By engaging in a hobby, you may benefit from increased self-esteem and self-confidence, decreased anxiety, and improved job performance due to your boost in confidence. For example, you may be able to come up with new ideas for the workplace or another personal pursuit that you glean from your newfound hobby. Therefore, choosing to use your leisure time with hobbies helps you to branch out beyond your existing identity. You’ll begin to see yourself in a brand-new way—and others will, too. Chances are, your new, inspired self will serve to make others look at you and say “I’d like to bottle some of that feeling myself!”

Enhancing Your Creativity Through Bliss and Balance

Whether you’re engaged in a new hobby or vigorously pursuing your passions, the idea is to “follow your bliss.” That’s a catchphrase coined by Joseph Campbell, who dedicated his personal and professional life to studying the human psyche along with past and modern-day myths. He practiced what he preached by completely immersing himself in studying and teaching how many cultures and myths manifested in individuals (including artists and philosophers) and in societies. Like Campbell, there is something sacred to be known and expressed inside you, and it is in this knowing and actualizing that you’re following your bliss. This knowing is the ability to recognize what moves you for the greater good of both yourself and those whose lives you touch and may be accomplished through your passions or hobbies.

Continue to check in on a regular basis to see if you’re doing what makes you truly happy. Another clue that you’re on the right path of your passions is that you feel you just can’t get enough of whatever it is you’re doing. Also, continue exploring your passions and hobbies with an open and curious mind. Let go of judgment of yourself and others and perpetually focus on what brings you joy. This will help clear your mind of those things you don’t want. Just as with affirmations, you want to tell yourself what you desire. In following your bliss, you are concentrating on positive aspects. If you fill your mind with radiant views, the light will outshine any darkness.

When it comes to working, you may love what you do. Still, it’s important to be sure you’re making room in your life for your personal passions to provide a healthy balance. Those who deal with the dying don’t hear many (if any) people say their only regret is that they wish they would have worked more or been more serious. The opposite of that is true; they wish they would have spent more time with the people and activities they love. When it comes to me, if I have one addiction, it’s that I’m a workaholic. However, through the years, I’ve gotten better at balancing my life by making time to pursue and enjoy my passions and hobbies, spending more time with loved ones, planning fun activities, and being there for others when they most need me.

So like me, take an honest, hard look at yourself and determine how balanced your life feels. If you’re feeling out of whack, ultimately your creativity will suffer. Look beyond the workplace and financial security and into all areas that are important to you. This may include relationships, friendships, spirituality, leisure time, continuing education, physical fitness, emotional health, rest, hobbies, and your passions (which could be anything from a noble cause such as feeding the hungry to an activity as simple as hiking). Once you are aware of how you spend your time, you can begin to create a better balance. This greater balance then makes it easier to create because you’re coming from a more stable position.

CREATIVITY KEY

To take a critical look at how you spend your time, write out all of the areas that are important to you and assign a percentage to each until they add up to 100 percent. Next, close your eyes and come from your heart space to see if the areas with the highest percentages are in alignment with the parts of your life you feel are the most significant. This will provide a roadmap of where your imbalances are, which starts the process of achieving a more balanced life. Begin to work toward making any necessary adjustments and repeat this process at least once a year because your priorities may change.

The Least You Need to Know

• When you tap into the core of your essence—that is, what truly makes you happy—and you heed the call, you’ll not only feel the joy within your own being, others also will benefit from your unique self-expression.
• Being passionate encompasses all of the things in life you feel strongly about. Consider your passions to be the “loves of your life.”
• You know you’re in a state of positive flow when you get lost in what you’re doing, not to the exclusion of your responsibilities, but in addition to all you accomplish and enjoy. Time becomes timeless!
• There are numerous benefits to starting and maintaining a hobby. You owe it to yourself to turn an interest of yours into a hobby, one that can potentially feed you emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
• You will be more creative if your life is balanced in all of the areas you deem important.