It was Graduation Day over the weekend here in the Standing household. Mr. S was quite busy (and a little nervous) with commencement festivities. It was quite a thrilling experience I dare say. I had decided not to “walk” when I graduated from college and yet on Friday, I wished I had it all to do all over again. There has been so much toil and labor and tears and yes, even bloodshed over both of our Bachelor’s degrees that it seems only appropriate to share in the events the University holds in order to celebrate your fine achievement. Sigh….
During the college’s convocation the student speaker, who was indeed a ballet dancer, spoke about Passion vs. Practicality. She posed a very interesting question: Do you want to live a life of passion or practicality? She went on to tell us that her life is ruled mostly by passion, a passion for dancing. When I was in school, my passion for music ruled everything I did. And I did feel so passionately about it. I still do, though I have realized a different path now too, one that requires a bit of practicality to go with it. I see so many people live their lives by trudging along to a j-o-b everyday and not realizing their own grand potential. I’m definitely not saying that you have to be a musician, artist, dancer or other fine artist in order to live a passionate life. Some people are completely intrigued by numbers or detective work or what have you. It’s the idea that you actually lay awake at night thinking about whatever it is that you long to do and can’t get enough of. I’m impassioned by many things: art, fabric, sewing, reading, eating, etc. I do lay awake at night thinking about these things and what I can do to improve my skill. The point of all this is that we can’t just live our lives doing those things to survive, because surviving, as fun and great as it is, is not living. I really hope you are living the life you want. What are those things that keep you awake at night? What is that thing that you just can’t get enough of? What are you doing about it? I would really love to hear…listening….
Abby - Yay! Congratulations Sours! Being able to move forward is such a wonderful thing.
Harriet - Hear, Hear! Walk the walk Mr. S!I love your thought-provoking idea about passion and living life. Just the other day I was talking to my husband about how every day should feel like the “Happiest Day of My Life” or we might not have lived to the fullest that day. Finding little shreds of joy – my key to happiness: having a clean house and opening the window to let the fresh air in, the way orange oil sparks on your lips when you bite into the peel for the first time, or getting a blog comment! Simple pleasures.
Rachel - I totally agree Sunni! The thing I love more than anything is teaching school. I couldn’t wait to get to school each day and when I wasn’t there I would think about it and get excited about it. I would also lay awake at night and think about things I could do and write down lesson plans. I know it sounds silly, but that’s what I’d do. Since I’m no longer teaching I’ve tried to put my passion and joy that I feel teaching into being a Mommy. I use my teaching skills and learn as much as I can about good ways to parent, I play with TJ, and love teaching him things. I hope I can just enjoy each day and make the most out of it.