It’s okay to take many steps in getting to your path. And it’s okay if you discover something else along the way.
Through the years, I have had friends as well as met a fair number of people who are writers, artists, actors and new entrepreneurs. These people have a much harder challenge than my friends who are corporate sales managers, teachers or lawyers, just by virtue of the fact that they do not have a system supporting their work. That system whether it be an office culture, pension plan, amenities, secretaries and even school protocol is an incredible support harness that helps people sleep better at night.
After working in a media company in Australia and working in a film and media company in Canada via a National Film Board apprenticeship, I wanted to begin creating my own work. I did do a number of short film projects and even won a rather large sum of broadcast money as a script prize from a television station. But for the most part, I noticed that the pool of grants for a country one tenth the population of the U.S was very small. It was very soon in my twenties that I realized passion is not everything.
For those of you who were discovered as a teenage songstress, had a book deal on your very first project and/or are making a lovely income doing what you love, please feel free to tap me on the shoulder and yell! Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s amazing. But I’ve also been mentored three times due to receiving awards and have made prize money from writing. Two of my mentors were the founders of their companies. I saw how hard they worked to get to where they are. And so I have to acknowledge that for a large majority of people, seeing our passion come to fruition takes time, often a heck of a lot of time.
Perhaps I should clarify, passion is something but not everything.
As a life transition helper (after all I did write a post about some worskshop hacks based on finding one’s niche), when I say passion is not everything, it may not sound very positive. But actually it was one of the most positive realizations I had. It was only after this awareness that I asked myself what is viable work closely related to the thing I most love to do? ie. What work was more available than film or television writing? What work was advertised on a predictable basis? The obvious was education. I knew I needed one skill that was in some way connected to my passion, be it closely or loosely. This would make the skill more easily attainable and the related work almost as satisfying. And so I studied and got my TESL qualifications. This may sound odd as I actually had a B.A. and a diploma in teaching media, so a media company would have been the obvious choice. But the odd thing is although I had apprenticed in an advertising firm as well as worked in a media production house and produced my own broadcast documentary, I really wanted to help people love writing the way I did. It was something I had done at age 14 which was the first paying job I had (helping younger children learn writing).
So this is what I did which turned out to be incredibly (and surprisingly) fulfilling, while occasionally helping some non-profit organizations with either media or P.R writing. I taught for more than 15 years and still occasionally do it. But the one thing I had done in this interim was I leveraged my skill. Leveraging can sometimes come from helping others. It can also be a way of using your gift to help others develop theirs. About 8 years ago, I was asked at my school to help students understand how to write the Common Application essay and other college supplements. I didn’t actually study other successful essays. Instead I suggested to my very first applicant that he write about his interests in a quirky and intellectual way, the way I used to write my university papers. I remembered my lecturers used to comment on how unexpected my written response was, perhaps as I often try to see unusual angles on all things. Anyhow, it turns out my first applicant got accepted to Stanford Engineering, then another one got into U.Penn doing environmental studies and another into Harvard, studying psychology. For almost all of them, I would suggest a book to read, something related to their aspirations. For example “Small is Beautiful” for the wannabe environmental engineer and “Man’s Search For Meaning” for the psych major. I was trying to get students to see the value of their interests and to evaluate the meaning of their desired vocation in such a way that they could get excited writing about it.
I admit I often felt a mixed array of emotions whenever I heard about a former student getting into their dream college. As a teacher who was close to her students, I was elated. As someone who had always wanted to major in psychology at Berkeley, I felt a tinge of regret. My father was quite strict and instead had my sister and I study in Australia where at least there was Mom’s family to make sure we didn’t get into any trouble. I did get my degree with a high distinction for my History of Art thesis and I was placed in a mentorship program for which I am grateful. But I don’t think I walked a straightforward path into my passion as others have.
Passion is something you can tweak. The thing is I realized that I liked helping people directly. I like mentoring teenagers and coaching people as much as I liked my long term passion of writing. And then it occurred to me, they are more or less the same thing. If I asked myself why did I love writing, it would be— to touch someone’s intellect and someone’s heart, and in a way to connect with my reader. It is likely why I had often enjoyed doing media work, whether it was for broadcast or for public awareness. So perhaps another useful thing to do is ask what it is about your passion that makes it your passion? Sometimes it’s not so much the dream as it is why the aspiration means so much to us. In other words, what is the essence of your passion? And in the interim while on your way to reaching your goal, can you find these same qualities in other viable paid work?
I have been told by Micheila Sheldan that my work here is to directly help others on their way to ascension. I know exactly what she is talking about. But I feel a bit of a nerd sometimes and have not always embraced such ideas so easily on an intellectual level. However when I think of human evolution, I get excited. When I think of people coming together to make the world a better place, I am moved. I think it is the reason why I love certain literary works like “The History of Love” and “Cloud Atlas”. In the way that these books and teaching have touched me, I was moved to taking up coaching.
The essence of you
It has taken me many steps to find my way. And along the way, I discovered that the one gift passion allows, is the gift of self-discovery. It allowed me to see what truly motivates me. It showed me my values and in a way, the essence of me. It also helped me develop teaching skills which have helped others in their journey towards their aspirations (oh the irony!). That is why passion truly is something (but not everything—sorry I am sticking to this).
I acknowledge that I don’t always have the perfect answer to life’s deep questions. I do know what it’s like to feel that one is pushing a rock up a mountain. Which I can’t even physically fathom these days!! I do have a few skills now that come from leveraging what has always been my passion. I have methodically broken down my own intentions and learning. I know that if you ever stop me on the road (which you can feel free to do if I am not rushing somewhere), and if you say “I like your weird coloured braid”, I will look at you and find something equally as special.
And I promise, when I look, I will see you. And if you tell me you are on your way to some waitressing job, potential client luncheon or some tv audition which you hope to ace, I will say, “You’ve come this far! Keep the faith, you deserve it!” And when you say you are nervous and wonder if it’s the right thing for now, I will smile and understand.
