Our passions are good, if we control them.

Take Pen to Paper: Edition 70

“Sometimes, our purpose (or passion) drives us to put more into work than we intend.”

What brilliant mind came up with that revelation?

Oh yes! That was me in a recent email to my friend Christine.

In this newsletter:

1. Our passions control us.

2. Let go.

3. Just say, ’No’

The Pluses and Pitfalls of Passion

Passion plays an important role in work and play. It fuels our desire to be present in the moment and be resilient in facing obstacles that may arise.

I know all about passion for work and play.

My passion for teaching students with disabilities kept me in my career for 41 years. I loved the challenge and the problem-solving needed to teach my students.

That’s a plus of passion.

I was so passionate I thought nothing of taking work home every night. (For the three years I worked at a university preschool, my son thought I was retired. I had student workers who did the prep work for most of the lesson.)

I didn’t let working get in the way of home and family, but it kept me from my hobbies. It took me 15 years to cross-stitch my son’s Christmas stocking. I read for pleasure less, exercised less, and socialized less. By year 37, I had it figured out. Work stayed at school. It would wait for me.

That is a pitfall of letting one passion take over your life.

Now, I realize I’m doing the same with writing, my newest passion. I’m spending hours each day on my newest hobby. How can that be? Neither work nor a hobby should consume your life.

Taking on the new means letting go.

My friend Ruben pointed out to me that a new habit may mean the exit of an old. Or put another way, we must make room by letting go of something. This can apply to work or play.

Once, we had a contractor in the house. He was about my age. He told me my house reminded him of his grandmother’s house. He had a valid reason. I’m a keeper of family memorabilia. I have difficulty letting it go.

My son recently asked me if I had any of his scout stuff. Of course, I have all of his scout stuff, from Tiger Cub to Eagle Scout. I let go, letting him take the box(es) to his house. (Yay, me!)

I struggle with letting go of habits, routines, and almost anything I have control over.

Taking on the new means saying, ‘No‘.

We need to take one more step besides letting go. We need to say ‘No’.

We always think of saying ‘No’ to a request. It’s more difficult to do when we are passionate about the activity. We typically think of saying ‘No’ to someone else.

I need to learn to say ‘No’ to myself!

No one is putting hobby demands on me but me. I’ve gotten a little carried away. I recommitted myself to 30 essays in 30 days for my writing cohort. What was I thinking? It has been useful as I gather my thoughts about a second newsletter on journaling, but did I need to do it? Every day?

Life is too short.

As my friend Jen says, “Life’s too short to turn something wonderful and fun into stress.”

So I need to let go to make room and say ‘No’ to myself.

And, I’m going to do that on January 31, when my writing cohort ends. (I really hate quitting something I start. Wait….I think that’s called letting go.)

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When it comes down to it, our passions, letting go, and saying ‘No’ are all good, but maybe in moderation?

Now, please excuse me while I write a 250-word essay.

Photo by S.G.S Abel

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:

1. The above photo is a throwback to the days before retirement. My work and personal laptops both tuned in to work. 💻

2. I’m grateful for my 41-year career doing something I loved. It should go without saying I was passionate about my work. I thoroughly enjoyed 94% of those 41 years. (Yes, I calculated it. There were a few years I didn’t enjoy.)

3. I read several articles on how to leave work at work. This one hit the highlights. I liked this one too.

4. Do you struggle with letting go of sentimental items? This article might help you. 💔

5. This article will help you learn to say ‘no’ to yourself.

6. It’s good to bring in the new, even if it does require letting go. Each time you let go of something, you practice for the next time.

7. I never know who will inspire me. I am grateful to Christine, Ruben, and Jen for inspiring this edition of Pen to Paper.

Thanks for reading!

💚

Susan

Do you struggle with controlling your passions like I struggle with mine? Or maybe you have a tip for me? Leave a comment and let me know.

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