DISCOVERING YOUR PASSIONS

There it is. Unlike anything I have ever seen before. I know I’m not dreaming, but this is unbelievable!  It must be the largest house I have ever seen!  The smooth curve of the M - shaped balcony, wrapping around the second floor. Even the bright, sandy color of the house shines like a gorgeous beach surrounded by the dreary others.  The front door seems to touch the sky!  I never knew that an entryway could be so high and look so incredible!  Could a house be so amazing?

 Now, you tell me what it was like the first time you discovered your passion.  Were you amazed that you could think and feel so great about something?  Were you in awe of what captured your attention?  Was it unlike anything you’d experienced before? 

Believe it or not, I was around six years old when I realized mine.  One house became my dream home and started it all.  I knew I wanted to design.  Design what exactly?  Anything my mind could think of…and I have!  I have turned many ideas into real life creations, such as clothing, furniture, and interior spaces.  I began drawing on any piece of paper I could find.  I would spend hours observing everyone and everything around me and studying every fashion and home magazine there was.  I would even make my friends sit for me while I drew them, no matter how ridiculous the pose.

These are only some of the ways that have shaped and molded my passion for design.  Everything that I have seen, been taught, and have been able to do have only made me realize that I love to design!  It is amazing to have one or two ideas turn into a reality. Being able to see others enjoy what I have created brings me a high unlike any other!  Even though my desire to design has changed over the past 19 years, it has never left me, Not once. 

It has been said many times that God gives us our skills and abilities…and for a reason.  I believe that 100%.  He is the originator of all good things, isn’t he?  So often those skills and abilities come from interests that we have.  Maybe even something we are passionate about.

  Designing is mine.  I’m not sure if I was born with a pencil and sketchbook in hand, but I have been drawing for as long as I can remember.  We are not born mastering every skill; we have to develop those skills to reach master levels.  My continual practice increased, and even decreased at times, but the practice helped define my talent.  I enjoyed the art classes in school, even if they were difficult at times…and they were.  I had to learn to appreciate those “strict” and “difficult” teachers.  Without those teachers and the push they gave, my ability to draw and desire to design would have disappeared.....So long dream house.

If one interest or passion hasn’t popped up in your head by now, then probably one of two things is true: you haven’t realized what it is, or you have, but for some reason don’t want to admit it.  Remember, there is never any shame in being excited about using what God has given you. That’s right, what GOD has given you.  You already have it.  No matter how similar some of us may look, act, or think, we are different.  That means that our gifts are different as well.  We are all created by God and made in His image.  He has created the most talented people and those who do not believe they are talented at all.  He has given each of us some of Himself, or else we wouldn’t be made in His image.  

For those that couldn’t think of an interest or passion, look again.  Or better yet, ask God to show you what it is.  No matter if you are six or 86, He will show you, and it’s bound to be good.  Just start using it!