Digital rendering of Rosco with his angel wings, courtesy of Leonie. (Photo credit: marissabracke)
“Come to the edge.’ ‘We can’t. We’re afraid.’ ‘Come to the edge.’ ‘We can’t. We will fall!’ ‘Come to the edge.’
And they came. And he pushed them. And they flew.” ~ Christopher Logue
##
Have you ever been around someone who seems to have superhuman energy? These are the people who move — to fly — from task to task, seeming to gain momentum as the day goes on. They never seem tired, bored or disinterested. In fact, using their passion and curiosity seems to creates more!
[Tweet “Using their passion and curiosity seems to creates more!”]
Sometimes you’ll see it in artists and crafters. Animal trainers and advocates. Permaculturists and pre-school teachers. Although the work they have chosen isn’t always high-paying, they’ve discovered the cost of not pursing their passion is far, far greater than the monetary challenges they face.
People like this are happy “on the far edge of the known.” They love talking about what they do and always seem excited to spend time with others who share their passions. They remain curious about what they can learn and enthusiastic about finding a way to return something equally valuable to teachers and mentors. They ask questions like “What would happen if we….?” They share a passion for the possible.
[Tweet “Are you happy “on the far edge of the known”?”]
What stands in the way of sharing their passion? Many of us live with ‘low grade’ fear, with a noisy Inner Critic dragging us down. It ‘helps’ us stay focused on the possibility losing what we already have or not getting something we want. We may have a list of things we’d like to try but the pull for security is stronger than the need to reach for the dreams we’ve listed. Fear forces us to “play defense” and ask questions like “What if I fail?” It’s not easy to grow and expand from that posture.
How do we move out of fear? What does it take to become a “possibilitarians”? To learn to say “Of course I’ll fail at first — and it’s worth it because of what I’ll learn and how I’ll change in the process.”
Three things come to mind:
- we get uncomfortable with the status quo,
- we become open-minded and willing to change
- start seeing examples of people doing the things we’d like to try
I wonder if we can shorten the time our children spend in this struggle by being that example for them.
[Tweet “Do you love what you do enough to take risks?”]
What is it that you love to do? Do you love it enough to take risks? Do your children know what ‘winds your clock’? Do you share those things with them? How do you do that?
We like SHARING:
10 Responses to “Passion for the Possible”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Andrea your bullet points read like the blueprint of my life! I would add to those -try it! -keep trying it -make it your own -encourage others on the way -repeat 🙂
I am trying to teach this to my daughter through example (and probably less effectively, speaking it) and so far I think its working in helping to support her passion for experiencing and growing and really living. At least for she still believes that she can do anything and that following her heart is the key to happiness. She’s a firecracker of joy and adventure!
Thanks for getting me thinking about this today. My spirit is smiling 🙂
A big hug,
Brandy
Brandy, you made my day…. And I appreciate those ‘extra’ bullet points. (Don’t be surprised if you see them show up some time.) Thank you.
Hi Andrea, I am quick to remind my kids there is no try, only to do or not do (thanks, Yoda! Love that little green man)! I also tell them that it really doesn’t matter to me what they do so long as they do what the love to the best of their ability. If that makes them a teacher, great! If it makes them a soccer coach, great! Finally, I work hard to model that behavior by following my own passions and disregarding the naysayers in my life.
Great post, as always!
Do you have ANY idea how much I appreciate you and the encouragement you share? (It’s a LOT!)
I marvel at people that can do everything and can be everywhere now…superhuman indeed. I took the risk to become a full time writer and am thrilled. I have a book coming out in 2015. It is so important to share the journey with your children – they learn so much through us. Never fear to share your passion – it will lift your energy and the energy out in the world. We are all ONE after all!
Debra, you seem to be one of those people. I’m happy to be getting to know you.
Thank you 🙂 I feel the same Andrea…great to connect with you as well!!
It is so important to me to share my learnings with my daughter. Although she is only 17, and most of the time it seems she’s not listening, when i fall away from my truth.. she is the one to call me back to integrity. To hear her give me the words I’ve given her, is such a gift. She is listening.
She is so much like me with her spirit of adventure, and equally like me as she struggles to find her way. I pray my guidance will allow her to skip a few of the missteps, but i will be there for her no matter what.
i so look forward to watching her follow her dreams and step into her magnificence.. she already is.
Thank you for this, Andrea. It has been a gift to reflect upon.
Shelley ~ thank you so much for your heartfelt comment. It sounds like the two of you have a wonderful relationship.
I raised my kids to be possibilitarians. Brave and courageous, one jetted off to Spain to become certified to teach English as a foreign language. She now lives in Ireland with her husband. My youngest left home right before her 21st birthday to teach snowboarding at Vail Resorts in Colorado. She doesn’t teach snowboarding anymore but she calls Colorado home (I was just out there visiting). I have 4 stepkids and was huge influence on the youngest two since they both lived with me. My youngest stepson sees possibilities everywhere…in fact, one of the things he’s always been super good at is demolishing things…he’s now part of a demolition crew, making good money and it’s sparked a very keen interest in going to school for construction engineering.