“20 years from now you will be disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the one’s you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover” ~ Mark Twain

Many of us know what our passion is.  Some call it “Purpose” or “Raison d’Être.”  The seeds are — more often than not — planted in childhood.  As we grow up, “Life” sometimes gets in the way. Correction. We let it get in the way …. it doesn’t get there by itself (remember, we are each authors of our own destiny). And, if we’re wise, we rediscover it.  And when we do, the reunion is joyous. Like renewing old friendships  … or … finally getting to meet (face-to-face) a family member that we’ve never had a chance to connect with.

And then there are some who never wavered, never let go of their passion. They made it their Life.  They embraced their passion with every fibre of their being and, when they died, they died knowing that they had lived their Passion. These people are, sadly, few and far between.  The late Lorena Gale, was one of those special ones.

Most of us juggle our day-to-day lives with our Passion.  Half the time is spent at the “day job” (the one that brings home the bacon) and the other half is what we do when we go home …. namely, our Passion.  For example, the wonderful 85 year-old music legend that is Tony Bennett obviously loves what he does for a living.  But, his real passion is art.  He is an artist …. as in, painting.  When he is not singing on tour or in concert, he paints. Check out Benedetto Arts, on his site, and prepare to be amazed.

Many of my family members have a day job and, like Anthony Dominick Benedetto, go home and spend quality time doing what they really love to do.  One cousin of mine (in Malta) has a passion for painting.  He is an exceedingly talented artist. Another cousin (in Canada) is a brilliant – and I mean brilliant – photographer.  In his own words, “It’s what I love to do.” 

It’s as simple as that. Do what you love to do and you will live a happy life. People will be drawn to you.  It’s the law of attraction.  You send out positive energy and you receive it back …. in spades.

I’ve always been a Writer. But, like many, I have always had “day jobs.”  I was a marketing communications professional for about 25 years. The first five years were in junior and mid-management,  the next 5 in senior management, and the following 15 as a consultant.

And then, one day (in the autumn of 2009) I woke up and realized that I had just turned 50.  I decided, then and there, that I would — as Mark Twain suggested — “sail away from  the safe harbor.” 

Fyi …. I can’t swim (well, I can tread water).

So, I decided to follow my passion — full-time. Of course, this meant that I would have to have a lifestyle adjustment. There would be no Louis Vuitton luggage in my immediate future. It meant I would have to forego Macallan 25 for Macallan 12. Scotch, that is. 12 year-old versus the rich-yet-smooth 25 year-old scotch. Oh woe is me.

Ahhhhh, the sacrifices I would have to make!

And, the reward for all this?  Here’s the thing. When we follow our bliss, we shouldn’t focus on quantifying it. The reward is not necessarily monetary (although, that certainly doesn’t hurt!). The reward is happiness, serenity, and knowledge. As we seek to master our craft — whatever that craft may be — we acquire knowledge.  With that knowledge, comes wisdom.

I can truly say — without reservation — that I am the happiest I have ever been.  I live simply. I love deeply. And I write.

May you all find your passion (if you haven’t already done so), and may it bring you great joy — always and forever.

Cheers,

h.f.t.g.

Image via womenonthefence.com.