Igniting a Passion in Mid-Life

Hmmm..I talked to my BFF this morning who promptly explained to me WHY the twenty-something I listened to yesterday was so passionate about his work - he is twenty-something. And, that we were like that when we were twenty-something, but now that we are mid-life (and yes, she used that term, more than once. Really, how many times can she say that word in one conversation????) our perspective is different. Basically, she was telling me that I was not going to be that passionate about my work and that I should just enjoy life and not worry about it. This from a woman who decided yesterday to take a vacation in August to the South Pacific because "life is too short". My head is spinning. I also realized that if I don't talk to her everyday, I will be behind.So, is there truth to the idea that the older we get the less likely we are to be passionate? And, the old adage, "youth is wasted on the young" is true?I don't think so. I think she is just channeling her passion (it IS good that she has been "ignited") into a different direction. We can be passionate about our profession, our partner, our hobbies, our friends, our life in general, if we allow ourselves that luxury. And, face it, many of us think of having that level of passion as a luxury. It all comes back to listening to our hearts and taking a step (even if its small) in that direction. Nothing in life is easy and nothing is fair so being passionate will require courage and hard work. But, the payoff is great in the end!

(Note: This post was taken from a Summer 08 entry I made on myspace)