Unrecognized Passion
“Work? I never worked a day in my life. I always loved what I was doing, had a passion for it.” — Ernie Banks
In this first post of the “Living with Gusto” series, I’m excited to introduce you to poet, writer, and editor A. D. (Sweepyjean) Joyce who is the author of the eBooks, “30 Poems, 30 Days: Inside a Poet’s Mind” and “Like. Love. Hate.” She also hosts the highly successful Third Sunday Blog Carnival. Catch her more creative and personal writing at Sweepy Jean Explores the (Webby) World.
How is it possible to be passionate about something and not even realize it?
That was the case for me for a long time. I’m passionate about writing poetry but only in recent years have I considered myself to be a poet.
At the very least, I knew I was a writer. This love of writing stemmed from my love of books cultivated at a very early age. Over time, I thought maybe I was going to be a novelist. Through the years, I have written short stories and I have an unfinished novel somewhere hidden away.
But when I analyze it, I realize that I spent a lot more time writing poetry than I did writing prose fiction. The more I learned, the more fascinated I became by the mechanics of poetry. I’m reminded of how when I was a child, I took a screwdriver and dismantled my musical jewelry box to try to figure out how it worked. I was charmed by how the teeth of the metal comb produced the sounds as they rolled over the pins on the cylinder. After all these years, I still look for opportunities to learn more about the craft of poetry. The more I accept my passion, the stronger it becomes.
There was a period of time when I had given up writing as a serious vocation. When I came out of that fog, I realized that poetry was my true passion and that I should follow it wherever it takes me. Lately, in addition to writing poetry, I feel the need be an advocate, hopefully to convince the general public that poetry is not for an elite crowd but something everyone can enjoy.
What is a recent passion you’ve discovered?
Tags: adriene joyce, living with gusto, passion, unrecognized passion
Penelope J.
Adriane, So glad that you discovered your true passion for writing poetry as this is a passion you can share with many others. For me, poetry is like music – both have the ability to transport us to another dimension and fill us with feelings and emotions. I consider poetry – that is, good poetry, to be the highest, truest, and most intricate form of writing.
Samantha Bangayan
That is so beautiful, Pennie! Sometimes, I can’t connect as well with poetry, but imagining poetry as music makes it all so much understandable for me.
Penelope J.
Sam, Congratulations on your first post of the “Living with gusto” series. Great idea to get A.D. Joyce (Sweepyjean) to talk about her passion for poetry. Look forward to more posts in this series.
Samantha Bangayan
Aww! Thanks so much for the support and encouragement, Pennie! =)
Deone Higgs
Passion is a very important part of life, A.D. and Sam. Thank you A.D. for sharing with us how you went about discovering yours.
I discovered my own during a time I didn’t think anything else was possible to go wrong in my life. I had just been laid off of my dream job as a flight attendant, lost our home to foreclosure, and dealing with my mother’s fight and losing her battle to cancer. And that was just tip of the iceberg.
I began writing to vent, cope, and just really get somethings off my chest that needed a way to escape that I wasn’t offering it at the time. I would soon discover that not only was I pretty good at tastefully displaying my opinions, but people actually wanted to hear what I had to say. With that kind of influence, one does not ( or shouldn’t, I guess is more appropriate) take it lightly. So I took that as my cue to straighten up my act, and deal with the rush of emotions I was dealing with, by sharing my vulnerable journey of releasing the old and bringing in the new “me.”
There I discovered what really drives me and wakes me up with nothing but “it” on my mind. Writing has been a Godsend for me, really. It saved my life and gave me a new perspective on the one I now live. 🙂
Samantha Bangayan
You are my hero, Deone! I have such a special place in my heart for you as I accompanied in you in your journey from the beginning. =) Sometimes it takes such a low to be able to reach such a high, eh? If life gets too comfortable, sometimes we don’t bother changing things up and looking for that which fills us with energy.
I’m so glad you were open to this new path and that you turned your passion into something so beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing your story and for being a part of my life! =)
MuMuGB
I think that it is very important to be passionate about something. If it is poetry, then so be it. And you are very good at it!
Samantha Bangayan
So true, Muriel! Many of us ignore our passions.
Adriene
Thanks to all for your nice comments. And thanks to Samantha for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts. I hope that everyone can find their passion. You have a great story, Deone. Sometimes when we are at our lowest point we discover the very thing that will save us.
Samantha Bangayan
You are so welcome, Adriene! =) Hugs! What a great first post topic!
Hajra
I have know this wonderful lady for over two years through her blog and I must say that I love everything she writes. Her poetry, is my absolute favorite!
Samantha Bangayan
Here, here! =)
Janette Fuller
This is a great story about Sweepyjean and her passion for poetry. I am so glad that poets and authors have the opportunity to self-publish their work so that other people can enjoy it.
Over the past couple of years I have discovered a passion for making handmade greeting cards. I love making them and sending them to my friends and family. It is a wonderful way to reach out to others and share my creative endeavors.
Samantha Bangayan
So true! I’ve heard so many stories about authors who have been able to reach people through self-publishing who they otherwise couldn’t have.
Wow! =) I had no idea! You are so creative in so many ways, Janette. =) You inspire me!
Joy
I loved what you said, Adriene, about your advocacy now to spread the word that poetry is not just for the elite. Often times such impressions limit us, and I don’t mean that only in terms of writing. Most of us feel apprehensive about pursuing our true calling because of conventions we grew up with, pre-definitions society imposes on us and it’s all very limiting. Thanks for your insight!
Samantha Bangayan
Loved *your* insight, Joy. Our environment often gets in the way of us achieving our goals. I think that’s why we need these eye openers sometimes.
Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A.
I guess this is why I have always implored my children, my clients (and, of course, myself) to take stock on a routine basis. Just like our palates have changed since when we were kids (what? I would eat Brussels Sprouts?), so do our passions about the things we love to do…
I’m glad Ms. J found the passion that drives her life.
Samantha Bangayan
I hadn’t thought about that, Roy! It’s so important to be open to multiple and changing passions. We are flexible and changeable human beings after all. =)
Adriene
Thanks, again all. I think everyone has picked up on the theme that finding your passion is essential and that sharing it is with others is just as important.
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Barbara
Hi, lovely Adrienne and Sam! A little bit late to the party and sneaking in through the back door. You know I love your poetry, Adrienne, you have a way with words making them dance and turn them into fragrant bouquets. What a lovely idea, Sam, to introduce your Living with Gusto series with Sweepyjean, I enjoyed it very much, thanks for sharing!
Samantha Bangayan
Thanks, Barbara! =) Adriene truly has a way with words and you do too, Barbara! Love learning from you gals. =)