The Natural Path to Passion
“Our passion is our strength.” — Billie Joe Armstrong
Being a software development engineer plays a part in but doesn’t define Kin Ming Li and his passions. Below, Kin shares thoughts on his path to passion and how you can carve out your own path:
When I was asked to write about my passion, I had to think twice about what my passions truly are. Despite having written a section about my passions on my personal web site, today I still constantly question myself whether those are my true passions. I mentioned that my main passions are technology and sports, but like many of you I am a person with many interests. However, it is definitely because I question my passions, it made me realize that those are my true passions.
There had been many times in the past when I was too lazy to play sports. Yet, I find myself being drawn to sports-related activities. I would be watching sports on the television, or reading fan comments on sports forums, or looking up sporting events in the future that may be of interest to me. Simiarly, with technology I would read blogs with news of the latest or trending technology. I could easily spend hours and hours on what I am passionate about, albeit not the most healthy lifestyle to have.
No matter how I question my passions, my life naturally gravitates towards related activities. The more you question them, the more you realize that those are unquestionably your true passions! So sit back, relax, and spend some time to question your passions. You will soon weed out the pretenders and find your true passions.
What so-called passion have you discovered to be one of the “pretenders”?
Tags: gusto, kin ming li, living with gusto, living with gusto series, passion, path to passion
Carolyn
Hi Samantha, I also am passionate about technology, but you’re right, we can dig deeper and try to figure out why something ignites our passion. I am passionate about technology because it gives us a glimpse of our future lives. I also like technology because of the convenience it offers. Being able to see traffic on Google Maps can save me a lot of time and headaches!
Samantha Bangayan
Ooh! Carolyn, you won’t believe it, but I finally have a touch phone! It’s a Google Nexus and I observed how I quickly became addicted *because* of its convenience. =) I can finally relate to your smartphone posts! =) Hope you’re doing swell. Hugs!!
Vinny T
It’s interesting that I’m all grown up , yet I’m still passionate about many of the same things that excited my interest as an adolescent. I’m still passionate about my interest in cars and can spend hours reading and studying the history and advances in the automobile industry through the decades, and still enjoy designing dream cars in my spare time. Likewise, I’m still keenly interested in bodybuilding and physical culture even though fate has intervened and am no longer realistically able to participate in the sport. Over the years, I’ve also developed some passions that resulted in some quite lucrative endeavors, but these were never really too much fun. Thank goodness I no longer have to waste my time thinking about ways to make money!
Samantha Bangayan
I always wonder if I’ll still have the same passions as I grow older as you’ve maintained your passions. =) Interesting how some of those lucrative passions didn’t end up being too much fun. There’s something about making money that takes the fun out of passion. =P That reminds me about a good friend of mine who loved playing video games and then became sick of playing them when he worked as a video game tester.
cath
I find that my true passions are art and photography. They feed my soul, the part of me that is the core of my beliefs and view of the world around me. There have been times in my life when I would lay them aside, but I always return to them.
Interesting post! Made me think. 😀
Samantha Bangayan
Envy!! =) I yearn for that kind of passion, Cath. I wonder if I don’t let myself fully immerse into my passions enough to feel that kind of soul feeding. In the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through your beautiful passions. =)
Rob
Hey Sam!
Question everything. Often we live a lemming type-life, following pre-set parameters.
Questioning why we are doing things enables our passions to rise to the top. But, even those are ever-changing. The most interesting people we met as we pedaled across the US were the people who purposed to be students of life.
There is so much to be learned and experienced.
My passion is for life itself.
Samantha Bangayan
Those lemming periods of life are the most booooring! =P I definitely need the reminder to observe and question, continually. “People who purposed to be students of life” <-- love this. You're my hero, Rob!