Monday, February 27, 2006

A Life Of Passion

Getting Back To What You Love


There are times in life when we are committed to pursuing our passions. Every molecule in our body is focused on doing what we love. At other times, necessity and responsibility dictate that we put our dreams aside and do what needs to be done. It is during these moments that we may choose to forget what it is that we love to do. There are many other reasons for why we may leave our passions behind. A hobby may lose its appeal once we've realize it will never turn into our dream job. Someone important to us may keep telling us that our passions are childish and unsuitable - until we finally believe them.

Forgetting about what you love to do can be a form of self-sabotage. If you can forget about your dreams, then you never have to risk failure. But just because we've decided to ignore our passions doesn't mean they no longer exist. Nothing can fill the emptiness that remains in a space vacated by a passion that we have tossed aside. Besides, life is too short to stop doing what you love, and it is never too late to rediscover your favorite things. If you gave up playing an instrument, painting, drawing, spending time in nature, or any other activity or interest that you once loved to do, now may be the time to take up that passion again. If you don't remember what it is that you used to be passionate about, you may want to think about the activities or interests that you used to love or the dreams that you always wished you could pursue.

You don't have to neglect your responsibilities to pursue your passions, and you don't have to neglect your commitments to do what you love. When you make an effort to incorporate your interests into your life, the fire within you ignites. You feel excited, inspired, and fed by the flames that are sparked by living your life with passion for what you love.

I had a passion to learn how to sew for a long time. I didn't have anyone to teach me. I tried to learn how to do this on my own but always become frustrated when I couldn't understand the directions.

I learn better when I am watching someone or someone show me how to make something. I was so thrilled when someone finally took the time to show me how to cross stitch. It's still a learning process for me and I was able to learn a few things on cross stitching on my own since that person taught me how to make the first stitch

I did messed up on my first and second and third project, but I kept going and it keeps getting better each time I do a new project.

Now I enjoy cross stitching and want to take it to the next level with linen and evenweave cloths. I'm not sure if I will be able to get it right and it does seems confusing since I am used to Aida cloth. If not, I will have to wait until I can find someone who can take the time to show me how to work on them.

I even have a passion to learn how to sew clothes, quilts, knitting, crotching and other needleworks. So I am looking and hoping to find someone who can sit with me and teach me how to do these things. I know one day I will find someone who will and I look forward to teaching others someday and pass on my future talents to them especially my daughter. :)

6 comments:

Von said...

Lauren, you so beautifully expressed your passion for the needle arts! Have you thought about finding a guild like EGA (Embroiderer's Guild of Amer.) or SAGA (Smocking Arts Guild of Amer. which includes heirloom sewing and all embroidery)?? You will find others of similar interests and equal passion who can help you learn and grow. I belong to SAGA and am constantly challenged. They both have websites:
http://www.egausa.org/
http://www.smocking.org/

Running Kiwi said...

That is so well written, and I 100% agree - there are too many woman out there who give up on their passions to look after families etc ... I often get asked how I find time to do my stitching around my family/work etc ... and my standard answer is "I make time" ... happy mother/woman = happy family :)

Thanks for expressing a lot of my own thoughts, so well!

... and go for the evenweave/linen, it's not so hard!

Lelia said...

Thoughtful & well-written post. If you are interested in learning, I'm sure you will find somebody nearby to lend a hand. Stitchers are generous people.

Are you near a needlework store? I think there was one in Mount Dora -- maybe they could help with the linen/evenweave. Help get you started.

I remember a mall (on Vine road - Vine avenue?) with a Stitcher's World (or something like that) and the woman behind the counter was very friendly. I have not been to Florida for a couple years.

Enjoy the day

Kali said...

Beautiful post Lauren. Good luck to you with your begining on Linen. First and foremost, don't let it intimidate you. You may be a better learner by sight but that doesn't mean you don't have the ability. Always approach something new with the belief you can and more often than not you will.

Juanita said...

Do you have an LNS in the Orlando area? If so, the staff there could probably help you learn to stitch on linen.

I was just in Orlando a few weeks ago, but didn't check on any LNS's down there. I did, however, find a nice Michael's store... much better than the one I have here in VA.

Good luck in all of your learning!

Sharon said...

A great comment...