3/12/11
Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all you heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours.
-Dale Carnegie

When I was looking for a quote to write about today, this flew off the page at me. It took me immediately back to my life about a year and a half ago...

I was standing in my craft room ironing yet another blouse for another day of working for the same manager I didn't like, a job that was less than fufilling for me and all the while dreaming that I could get my quilt business off the ground. I had resigned myself into thinking that the only kind of "work" I was going to make money doing was work for other people. I remember the second that realization came to mind. My stomach just sank...

There are some of us who are not meant to be out there chipping off ice chunks and selling them to the Eskimos every day. I am sorry. That's the way it is. I know plenty of people who trudge off to work to earn their paychecks to go on big vacations, buy big houses and drive fancy cars. That's not me. Frankly, I have known this for some time now.

Yes, I understand everyone needs money to pay the bills. Granted, that keeps the lights on and food on the table. However, what are you doing to fufill your passion? Even if you are forced to work a full-time job you can still craft on your lunch hours, organize a quilt guild that meets once or twice a month at lunch or after work, sign up a group of employees to organize a company craft show. There are other options out there. Start thinking about them and let me know what you come up with.

I was fortunate that my kids are grown and I may have figured out a way to scrape by with my quilting until as we all say it "takes off". This isn't everyone's future. I am not telling you to quit your job next week to stay home and quilt for Heaven's sake. You know your limitations. I would like you however to sit back and think about how you can combine your "passion" into your workday. Only then, will you really find you have mastered the art of living a "balanced" life.



Live Your Passion!

Good Luck to you Living Your Passion, working towards your dream will fulfill you and keep you going. May in Jersey

i hit a slump at work a few years ago. i felt like a underling whose work was not appreciated and ideas were ignored. then i realized i was the only one who could change that. i reminded myself of the importance of what i do - i was taking complaints about nursing homes, prioritizing them and sending them to investigators. as i showed the importance of what i do those around me seemed to be more appreciative. now i dont worry about recognition. what i do is what is important. i help residents, mostly elderly, live better lives. that is a worthwhile thing.
for creative fullfillment i crochet, quilt, do stain glass, garden...
i'm glad you were able to reach out for your desire. that's courageous. i'm not that brave so i just do it in little ways.

Many times, our passion, like quilting, gets us through the jobs we have to do to survive. We are truly blessed if we have quilting and our jobs are also something special to us. I am blessed. I quilt which is a passion to me, and I teach, which there is no where else I would want to be (except sitting behind my sewing machine) most days. It is sad we all can't have it all.

I love your way of thinking!

I just gave up a 17 year teaching career to spend time getting my health back in order. My husband has become the sole breadwinner, and money is tight.

Now I spend my days visiting the physical therapist, cooking, sewing, taking a picture of something every day, and working on myself. I hope to find a new passion along the way.

Good luck to you, rkmquilts!

funny you should post this today. My 41 year old son retired from law enforcement last year and took a vocational course in something else he thought he would like. He called us last night to tell us he left his new job because it was requiring too much time away from his family. Fortunately, he has a very good pension, health insurance and his wife works part time in a hospital so they will be fine financially. He's going to work at his first love, carpentry. I know he will be happier and he will be able to spend more time with his wife and girls.

Good luck to you in your new endeavor.