My Passion Is Not The Essence of My Existence, and I Am Okay With That
Learning to be okay with the ebb and flow of my creative nature
By trade, craft, or inexplicable definition, I am a writer. Can you tell that by the volume of my pieces? No. Nevertheless, when you read anything I create, you can understand why I am a writer. Words and I have a particular friendship; we get each other in a way a best friend gets you. We click. But if you examine my trade as a writer, you would be inclined to say that I am not passionate or am merely a hobbyist because I do not eat, sleep, and breathe writing.
The truth is, I am published, and not just on this platform. I have used my savvy wordplay on stage to win competitions. I get excited at alliterations and consult on speech techniques often, but I am not inundated every second of my being to write. I don’t feel lost or untethered if I am not creating thought-provoking or emotionally driven pieces that rival Morrison, Angelou, or even Dickens. In fact, I have often wished that I was more like Angelou or Morrison, but I quickly realize that who I am as a writer is more than enough in the world.
What you are reading is a message to the creative that often does not feel creative, or your passion comes in surges adverse to the norm that others claim as their own. It is a letter to continue to color outside the lines, even if it is a little messy.
What looks like success for one person is not the picture of success for another. For me, success is earning $.83 on this platform or getting published in a couple of books to say that I did it. Why is that successful? Because for a great part of my life, writing was just something I did well, it was never something I was encouraged to pursue outside of an outlet. However, as I grow as a writer and become more aware of my gift, I develop a deeper understanding of my writing for purpose and not entirely for gain. If I somehow make an incredible amount of money on this platform because of my gift, I no doubt will be perpetually appreciative. Still, if all I do is inspire a few people to continue pushing and cultivating authenticity in their passion, then I’ve succeeded.
Passion, no matter what it is, should not be held to a one-size-fits-all standard. Whether its intensity can fill a room or fills the air space of an NFL stadium, so long as it is done altruistically and authentically, it can be expressed at whatever frequency it shows up. Some creatives have produced one amazing piece and nothing else and are still heralded as legends; others have volumes and multiple pieces and have the same notoriety. If I create for the multitude or the five people that consistently like my Facebook posts, it doesn’t negate my passion. When it hits, it comes with the thunder, but when it’s not there, I’m okay with finding other avenues that are fulfilling.
The journey of a thousand steps starts with just one, but who says the steps need to be in the same direction as long as they lead you to the right destination.
