Gumshoe has often heard the French term, “Raison d’être” from mostly the “artistic” folks among us who have discovered their true passion in life.
Now you don’t have to be a Rembrandt or even the son of Mrs. Whistler to ardently pursue your passion and find your name in Wikipedia or your work hanging in the Louvre. Gumshoe has seen a lot of good old common folks who individually celebrate their “artistry” in numerous ways and in an array of endless endeavors—from mechanics to cooks; from storytellers to wordsmiths; from guitar strummers to acrobats; from photographers to martial artists; from dancers to welders—The list goes “to infinity and beyond!” (Quote from Buzz Lightyear)
None of us (Gumshoe surmises) want to end up living vicariously as “armchair adventurers” the likes of Walter Mitty. Gumshoe firmly believes that the human spirit of imagination and creativity (passion) is instilled in all us by our “Maker”. We just have to motivate our collective butts out of those collective armchairs and get to it!
If we are “blessed” we discover our passion early in life or if we are “lucky”, it finds us before we go not so “gently” into that “gentle goodnight” to take that long “dirt nap”.
Gumshoe would sometimes pose the following closing question (occasionally, rhetorical; occasionally, actually answered) during an interrogation of a genuine career criminal:
Gumshoe: “Why do you keep pursuing this line of work since you are evidently unsuccessful and you keep getting caught?
Genuine Career Criminal: “I like what I do!”
So there you have it, my kind readers. Everyone has a “Raison d’être” even if they are not good at it. Passion at play I suppose.
Go figure? Life is a puzzlement indeed.
Remember to always love the ones who love you (a great reason for “being”) and try to love the ones who don’t.
PS: Gumshoe hopes that you are good and successful following your “legit” passion. The Louvre still has wall space by the way.
Good thoughts! I quit my job with the California Youth Authority not once or twice, but THREE times……not planning on returning each time – but each time doing so. I know without a doubt it was God who picked me up, dusted me off and opened the door to return each time. I left each time to pursue something else, but found eventually that I truly enjoyed my career working behind bars! Especially toward the end as I approached retirement and I prayed that the Lord would show me what direction He would have me go with all the free time I would soon have – not long after He paved the way toward prison ministry. I met some men (lifers) who taught me much about walking our talk. God wants to use us……regardless of age or physical ability!
It is said that in life you are successful because you are happy, and not vice versa. And since nothing makes us happier than following our passions, this is the decision to take.
In reality, I think we all want to be happy, but few understand that happiness arises within us. It mostly derives from how we perceive the events that involve us.
Passions are emotions. We feel them inside. They can last a lifetime or a few days. Always stay the same or change over time. They are our reaction to life in the given moment in which it consumes us. If therefore passions are a consequence of life, living according to one’s passions is a paradoxical means, because you cannot know them before they become manifest. You can, at most, dedicate yourself to what has fascinated you in the past. Without any certainty that it will involve you in the same way in the future.
The passions are fleeting, even if sometimes they persist over time, evolving. Not all are the same, and if many do not lead anywhere, some of these, when they meet perseverance, desire to learn, discipline, and the right opportunity, lead us along the story that we have designed to achieve our success.
Ultimately I think you have to try, but it is also possible to find new, other interests along the way.
I’m in. Now I can comment on your raisin articles. You may regret it.
Welcome aboard Brian! I look forward to you views but if I agree with them, we both will be wrong.
I’ve learned never to wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.
I was one of the lucky ones, Danny. I knew what I wanted to do with my working carreer by the time I was 15. Thus I could focus my energy on that goal. I have trouble understanding the youth of today that even after 4 or more years of college they still have no idea what they want to do. As has been often said, “If you don’t know where you are going you will not know when you get there”. True, my name will never be on the rich and famous list. But that is okay with me. That was never my goal in life.
You are right Ken. When I hear the phrase, “I have to find myself”; I want to respond: “Where did you lose yourself?”
We are the fortunate ones Ken. We knew who we were and we did not seek fame, fortune or title.
Yes indeed Nightingale, our life experiences come directly into play when we have the opportunity and the resources to pursue a worthwhile path. It is like planting a seedling all the well knowing that someone else in the future will enjoy its shade and fruit.
Great article babe and so true. I found my true passion since retiring from Law Enforcement in painting, writing, teaching the young minds who have so much to give in this crazy, upside down world. In this passion of the latter of passions given the youth will make the world a better place a