Passion

pas·sion

ˈpaSHən/

noun

1. .

   strong and barely controllable emotion.

 I've been sitting on this post for awhile now, waiting for the right time and a few more words. I think it's ready. It's one of those ranty type of posts that popped into my head in the middle of a good song, or run or something like that. These don't happen often kids, hold on tight.

I'm seeing people in my life doing awesome things. I'm seeing singers/vocalists/instrumentalists, DJ's and dancers of all forms coming out of the woodwork on my social media feeds. And my mind is being blown. Albums on iTunes are being released and I'm like OMGee I know that kid. 

I'm reading about classmates I grew up with who are now teachers and changing kids lives, one year at a time. I'm scrolling through other blogs that are popping up on my newsfeeds, in awe of the beautiful intelligence, raw ideas and opinions that we are all given and able to put into written words. My eyes well up when I see the adoption stories of animals that didn't have a home and now do, or to an even greater degree, children who didn't have a home and now do. 

I see the photography. Of course, everyone shares pictures these days - and whether they are professional or not - I'm seeing some freaking breathtaking things - photos and paintings and drawings alike.  I'm seeing friends and aquaintences dropping it all and hitting the road, thirsty to explore this huge world we have been given and the culture that abides in it. And damnit I admire that courage.

                                                           

I'm following people who are in mad search of a law degree - or already have one. And are devoting their time and energy for the sake of justice, whatever that may mean to them. I'm seeing people I met through church, or went to camps with slowly turning into doctors, with a passion for healing and helping and trying to find answers. 

Through friends of friends I'm reading articles about cousins who went to this past Winter Olympics, or are in search of qualifying for the next Olympic Trials. Collegiate athletes I either knew or played with or worked with, continuing after their love for the game and going pro - both here in the US and overseas. Then there's the handful of us who have taken that athletic talent and applied it to our desire to teach it to others. Raise your hands out there coaches, we've got a lot of you. Others, creating new passions; running races, pounding out the miles, challenging themselves to beat their own time or PR of some sort, each and every time. 

The list goes on, and on. My own mom recently started gardening, and it's slowly taking over our whole backyard. Fueling your body off of something you grew in your own backyard? I love it.

                                                

We all have passion. Some kind of passion, for something beautiful. Whether it's our career or a hobby, something that will make us money or something that will lose us money. Something that will make us better, or something that will make others better... and in most cases it's both, while in the moment we may not realize it. 

It's passion, and that's all that matters. You have it, for something, you do. Try to sit there and tell me you care about absolutely nothing, I dare you. 

 I have mad respect for passion. I really don't care what it is, I just love to see people CARE. Give a damn. It's what lights you up, it's typically what you love talking about, and as a result of this crazy social media generation, we have the ability to share share these interests passions and goals with others, across the world. 

                                                 

I just find that so amazing. And I love reading about each and every passion. 

So don't stop, march on, and do you. It may sound cheesy, but we're single-handedly shaping this world with our diverse passions. I really believe that. 

Cheers to passion - 

Kait

(linking up for Thinking Outloud Thursdays)

4 Things I Want To Stop Seeing

#1. I want to stop seeing lists of reasons why I should unplug. Reasons why I should sign off facebook, and why I should put my phone down.

I get it, I do. But I’m sorry, for me, the pros of social media and connectivity far outweigh the cons. Being able to keep in close contact with my best friends and family all over the country is important to me. Group texts have changed my life.

love my groupt text with my mom & sis

So no, I’m not deactivating my Facebook. Stop obsessively taking videos with my phone at concerts? Sure, that can be a 2014 goal, I like that. But I’m just not giving myself ulcers over the amount of time I have my phone in my hand.

#2. Those lists referring to age. "40 things to do before you’re 40, 20 things never to do in your 20’s, 15 things I never thought about when I was 25." Can we just stop? It’s overwhelming, unnecessary, and half the time these list/articles things are contradicting themselves. One will urge you to go travel the world while you’re still young, and the other will warn you against frivolous spending: you better be saving your money in your 20's.

Sadly, I didn't land myself a six-figure job out of college, so no, I cannot simultaneously save money and travel the world, while holding a full-time job. If anyone has figured this one out, please pass on the secret.

#3. Those lists pertaining particularly to relationships and dating. These infuriate me. Lists of ways to spark your relationships, 20 great pick-up lines, ’23 things that let you know you’re in the right relationship'.

My first reaction when I see these is extreme confusion. What makes all of these random online writers experts on this delicate topic? Everyone is different, every couple functions differently, has different morals and values – that’s what makes dating and marriage such a beautiful thing.

me & my main man

#4. The freaking fitness lists. 10 tips to lose those last 10 pounds. 5 ways to not gain holiday weight. Or my person favorite – 20 tips to lose weight before your wedding.

Sigh. Don’t get me started on this one. Eat right. Stop eating empty calories i.e. sugar. Drink a lot of water. Get up and move from your desk. Throw around some weights. LISTEN to your body, and find out what works for you. These lists are so general and off-base it’s nauseating.

There is no quick fix that is healthy and natural. Just remember that.

this quote just felt right.

I get that buzzfeed has and always will be a list-type website. That’s cool – usually their postings are for humor, mainly containing pictures, and this has just always been their motif. But why, oh why are SO many other websites now featuring list-type articles? Whatever happened to the lost, beautiful art of writing out actual paragraphs, using actual facts, and making valid points instead of rattling off absurd opinion-based vomit?

That is my rant. Maybe I'm just being a romantic. Nonetheless, cheers to 2014 being the year these obnoxious lists stop clogging up my newsfeeds. Fingers crossed.

K