While at Gallery Hop on Saturday night in the Short North, I was in a vegan boutique/store and came upon this bracelet. I think I should have bought it because I REALLY like it. Hmmmm.....maybe I will have to go back to purchase it. But anyway, they had bracelets with different inspiring phrases - but this one certainly stood out to me. I liked it a lot.
Of course, as you have probably gathered briefly by reading my blog, I like quotes and any words that are encouraging or inspiring. Things that may challenge you and get you thinking. At first, this bracelet made me think about following your passion in life - i.e. career. However, since thinking more about it I have decided that it is inspiring in many other areas, and I will touch on a few in this blog.
Personally, for my job - my passion is working with college students - as stated in previous blogs. I enjoy helping people, especially college students. I also have a passion for creating a cohesive team environment (if at all possible) at work. I think that so much more can be done by a group when we learn each others strengths, weaknesses and maximize on those (the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a great way to get this started). Communication is KEY!!! I think for the most part in higher education, especially in Student Affairs (whether that be Academic or Career Advising, Orientation, Res Life, Student Programming, etc.), there is typically an emphasis on working strongly as a team. Thus.....why I love what I do. So, I want to make it a goal to follow my passion and never settling whether that be now or in the future for less. :-) I also challenge you to not settle, and make it a goal to always follow your passion in your career - no matter what dream you may have - work to achieve it and bring it to fruition!!!
So, of course, I started analyzing the bracelet and started to think it is important to follow your passion in relationships too. Again, I think COMMUNICATION is always key!! I can never stress enough how important is to be self-aware!!! I learned this a bit later on after college.....which is sad. I certainly think the journey began in college, but I did not become truly self-aware until I started my first job out of college as a Residence Director at good old Ashland University (and I am still learning about myself). I think this self-awareness was probably facilitated by working in a full time job that I was passionate about, being in my first year of marriage, discovering one of my favorite tools ever - the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and through talking with a great friend at that time that truly knew me inside and out. Honestly, she has had a huge impact on my life with helping me to understand me....without judging and facilitating the thought process that comes about in self-awareness (thank you...as you know who you are and read my blog). So, anyway, I think that it is important to follow your passion and seek out those people that bring joy, make you happy, will be honest, not judge you and those that will challenge you. I am truly drawn to genuine people. I can often tell when someone is fake......and I do not like to surround myself around those people. I do love people....and so many people. I love learning about others....their joys, lessons learned, their sorrows....and to get to know them at a more deep level. But anyway....I challenge you to follow your passion in your relationships - DON'T lose touch with those that you love and have been those good friends in your life. And even as you get older.....don't give-up on new relationships/friends - they can be a saving grace!!
I also think it is important to follow your passion in your hobbies/interests in life!! Those things that keep you sane in the midst of a CRAZY and BUSY society. I think that if you are pursuing these things......they can keep you on track and give you hope to be able to follow your career passions......and just keep you passionate in life!!! :-) For me, some of my passions are....photography. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to take pictures....whether that be of nature, of people or of occasions you never want to forget. I think they are such a gift! I am also passionate about vegetarian eating, being more green (as stated in earlier post today), and minimizing animal suffering. I have become increasingly aware over the last 5-7 years of how are meat industry has changed and become just deplorable (for MANY reasons). It is a lot different than it was many years ago. There are many sad videos you can see out there, and some educational videos about how factory farming is destroying the earth with its practices. I love all creatures (though struggle with bugs), and could never hurt them. I get sad when I see a dead squirrel on the side of the road, and cannot even begin to think about an animal that is suffering.....it just pains me. So, I make it a goal to love and help animals in different ways. Another passion would be learning about health. After seeing loved ones be diagnosed and die of cancer....and the sight of rampant depression and many other obvious health-related issues, especially in the US.....I make it a goal to stay informed and read. I try to make changes in my diet and daily living to hopefully keep some of the common diseases at bay. I promise I will stop babbling soon....but my final two passions are coffee shops and people (they can sometimes go hand-in-hand). I love being in a coffee shop and drinking warm beverages (and sometimes cold tea in the Summer). I love me a nonfat latte....but I just love the environment in a coffee shop. For the most part, I often find them soothing. I have went there to journal, play cards with Matt and meet friends there to visit. I love them!!!! :-) Finally.....I LOVE people. I know that you can tell by reading many of my previous blogs...and some shared in this one that friends and family are important to me. I could NEVER make it through this life without relationships. I love being with and connecting with people. And along the same idea with people.....it is important to me to help minimize discrimination, whether that be race, sexual-orientation, disability, etc. We are all equal and deserve fair treatment.
I realize this blog is becoming much more longer than planned.....
So, I challenge you to think about your passions....what are your passions!! Are you currently pursuing them? What changes do you need to make to ensure you are not selling yourself short by not pursuing those passions!!! Life is short....follow your passions!!!!
HUGS this evening!!!
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