There are some things that we do in life that fill us with joy. We could spend hours doing them and yet feel refreshed and inspired at the end. These are the things that we are passionate about.
In an ideal world, we should be able to pursue our dreams and passions and make it our life’s work. In the real world, more often than not, we end up making the socially accepted “practical” choice. I have ‘been there, done that’.
I pursued my MBA in Finance and a career in Equity Research – a field that I was good at, but did not really care about. I have always loved to read, and was passionate about writing. The only problem was that it did not fit in the socially accepted norm as a career choice in India. So, I never gave it a serious thought as a profession. It got the prized recognition of being my hobby.
Only recently, when I started to blog as a creative outlet, did I realize how much I enjoy writing. Writing has altered the lens through which I view myself, and continues to challenge how I have defined myself all these years. But the sheer joy that it brings me is worth every single battle with perception, self doubt, and status quo.
Follow your dreams, and let them guide the path. Even if the destination looks uncertain at this point, the journey will be worth it.
Let me leave you with some excerpts out of my favorite poem – Comfort Zone.
Comfort Zone-Anonymous
I used to have a Comfort Zone
Where I knew I couldn’t fail,
The same four walls of busy work
Were really more like jail.
I claimed to be so busy
With the things inside my zone,
But deep inside I longed for
Something special of my own.
If you are in a comfort zone
Afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners
Were at one time filled with doubt.
I would love to hear from you. What is the one thing that you are passionate about? If you could do absolutely anything, what would you want to make your life’s work?
*This post is written for the AtoZChallenge.
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Mee Magnum
Shantala, a life without dreams and goals is a life without direction and passion. I’m passionate about Chinese food! Perhaps I need to open my mind to others dreams 🙂
Mee (The Chinese Quest)
Mee Magnum recently posted…Chinese Sandwich? Doesn’t Sound Kosher!
Shanaya Tales
I can see your passion for Chinese Food reflect in your posts at TheChineseQuest. Glad you are able to pursue that dream of yours. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Family – Where Life Begins and Love Never Ends #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Corinne Rodrigues
So glad you’re following your dream, S. I’m glad to say I’m living mine now. It’s not been an easy journey, but so worth it!
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Shanaya Tales
Very true. It is extremely fulfilling and satisfying. Thanks for stopping by, Corinne. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Family – Where Life Begins and Love Never Ends #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Sheethal
Thanks to the person who created Blog, where we could all live our dreams. 🙂
Sheethal recently posted…Diksha …
Shanaya Tales
I share that sentiment. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Family – Where Life Begins and Love Never Ends #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Prasanna
My dream is to become a published author, but sadly that won’t pay the bills. So till the time I can become financially free I have to work 9-7 in an IT job and find some time during the weekends to pursue my hobby. I’m sure that this is true for most writers.
Shanaya Tales
You write really well, Prasanna. I am sure your dream of being a published author will come true soon enough. Wishing you the very best. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Encouraging Phrases for Kids #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Lakshmi at AVoice
This bit about writing speaks to my heart and you have put it so succinctly! Sometimes life brings us to a point where it pushes us out of the comfort zone and then maybe we are fortunate in spite of the uncertainty.
Lakshmi at AVoice recently posted…B is for BEFRIENDING your illness
Shanaya Tales
Yes we indeed are fortunate, Lakshmi. Fortunate to be able to identify what we really want to do and also be able to pursue it at whatever level we can. Thank you so much for stopping by. Glad to have connected with you through AtoZ. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Encouraging Phrases for Kids #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Eli
I loved reading this post! And can so relate to it! I have also writing as my big passion, and happy to have made a living of it! My big dream is to work with green tourism where money could be led in to education programmes for kids.. I have a dream:-) thanks for sharing:-)
Eli recently posted…D for Dancing
Shanaya Tales
So glad to hear that you are able to pursue one of your dreams, Eli. The green tourism initiative is such a noble intent. Wishing you the very best for it. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Encouraging Phrases for Kids #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shalini
Dance Shantala, Dance! The one thing I am so passionate about, the one thing which made my parents so proud of me! Oh much I miss dancing! Trained classical dancer for 10years, best in school and college and now as life gets in the way, I’m not able to take it further! Fingers crossed I hope I can, someday! 🙂 Lovely post. Made my heart go fonder!
Shalini recently posted…Forever alone No more- 4
Shanaya Tales
Our innermost desires have a way of floating up to the surface and ensuring that we give them the attention they deserve. I am sure that you will be able to pursue it one day. Hopefully soon. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Encouraging Phrases for Kids #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
When the cat is away
I found your blog through the A to Z challenge and I really liked today’s topic. I’m just about fulfilling a very big dream of mine: adopting cats. I’ve been longing for cats for a long time, and I’ve now just adopted 2 cats from my local animal shelter! I still have difficulties to realize that I’ve actually done that.
I have been suffering from severe depression. Last year, I was at a psychiatric hospital for several months and I remember that I was talking about my dream of getting cats with the psychologist. And now I’m actually doing it!!
I’m so curious where this journey will lead me. I started a blog on cats and mental health since I’ve read a lot about pet therapy.
A2Z challenge. http://www.whenthecatisaway.com Participant number 1431
Shanaya Tales
I am glad to hear that you are able to fulfill one of your dreams. Wishing you the very best. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
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Nisha Sanjeev
It’s a sad fact… Arts is looked down upon in India. The belief still among majority parents is only kids who aren’t ‘good enough’ choose literature or even commerce…
Well, it is changing. And will change for the better.
Cheers… keep discovering yourself!
Shanaya Tales
I agree. It is indeed changing. Thank you for visiting, Nisha. Always a pleasure to have you here. 🙂
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Suzy
Loved your post and I love the quote. Luckily I enjoy my job heaps but I also love writing. Bless the soul who masterminded the internet and blogs.
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you, Suzy. Glad you liked it. 🙂
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Aathira
I felt myself nodding my head at every word you have written. We have so much in common. Like you, I too did my higher studies in finance. Though I had a well paying job there, it simply wasn’t for me. I’m now following my dream and hope to continue my writing for the rest of my life. I had written about this sometime back on my blog. More power to you, Shantala!
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Aathira. Glad you decided to take the plunge and pursue writing. 🙂
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Swathi Shenoy
I am passionate about writing too. Wanted to do degree in literature but was forced to join engineering as it was more respectable! Duh!! I am going to do degree in literature now, no matter what others say!!
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Shanaya Tales
That is so cool, Swathi. I am glad you have decided to pursue Literature. More power to you! 🙂
Nancy@thethinkinhat.com
A lovely post and a very strong thought! I don’t want to give this different profession and passion idea to my children. I want them to believe that a passion can also be one’s profession. I blogged about dreams a while back. I’d be glad to point you to it.
http://thethinkinhat.com/2013/03/22/dream-on/
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Shanaya Tales
I share the same sentiment, Nancy. I want my son to be able to pursue whatever he wants to. Thanks for sharing your post on Dreams. Will check it out. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Encouraging Phrases for Kids #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
ranveer vishal
Hey Shanaya, fully agree with u on that. It’s all about what we love doing, did my degree in Economics, worked for some time as a teacher before finding my true calling in journalism and blogging:)
Best to you and cheerz
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Ranveer. Glad to have connected with you through AtoZ. 🙂
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Vinitha
I can relate to this, Shantala. Writing was always my passion, unknown passion actually. Even before I had readers and when I scribbled down lines without knowing what I was doing, the joy that followed was something I never experienced otherwise. Well written, Shantala. 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Vinitha. Glad you liked it. 🙂
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Parul
Loved your post Shantala and my blog talks of following dreams all the time..
Did you know I was an Engineer and for 2.5 years, coding gave me my bread and butter..But I left all that to follow Human Resources. A field that I am really passionate about. When I quit my job in 2008, many people advised me against it. To them, it seemed such an insane thing to do 🙂 Here I am today – Happy & living my dream! 🙂
Your post made me remember those days back again! Thank you!
Parul recently posted…D for Domestic Violence
Shanaya Tales
Oh I was not aware of your career switch. So glad that you were able to do it and it all worked out well. 🙂
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Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life
I hear you! I had written about this topic of following your passion and dreams ages ago. After all, we spend so many hours of our life working! For me, I love my job. I love being a psychologist and am passionate about it. I am also passionate about writing and ideally, I hope that in a few years, I am able to work part-time as a psychologist and the rest as a writer — freelance or creative! Only time will tell, I suppose!
I love the poem Comfort Zone. In 2013, my aim was to get out of my comfort zone in all areas of my life. I love how your posts resonate with me! 🙂
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life recently posted…D is for Decidophobia #atozchallenge
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Sanch. I am glad you can relate. 🙂 I made a similar decision to get out of my comfort zone this year and started to write a blog. I had always wanted to write one, but got too self conscious. Nonetheless, I am enjoying this thoroughly so there is no looking back now. 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Encouraging Phrases for Kids #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Eloquent Mind
Now here is a post I could relate to just identical as my life. It’s the same four walls described in your poem that I wanted to escape and try my hand in a field that I was more passionate about. Dancing. Being an artiste.
I visioned I could take both my profession and passion ahead on the same path until I couldn’t any longer and missed doing what I love. So once the baby was born, the hubby and I decided to take a call.
Loved the post and it is all about pursuing your dream. 🙂
Eloquent Mind recently posted…Dreams #AtoZChallenge
Shanaya Tales
So glad to hear that you are able to pursue your passion for dance, EM. More power to you, girl!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Encouraging Phrases for Kids #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
sulekha
I love writing and am lucky enough to be following my passion. I forget the world when I am in the zone,creating stories 🙂
Shanaya Tales
So happy for you, Sulekha. It is indeed a blessing to pursue your passion as your profession. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Encouraging Phrases for Kids #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Lata
Shanaya, something similar to what you have written is happening to me too and therefore the jump into blogging world. Hope our dreams come true.
Shanaya Tales
Where there is a will, there is a way. 🙂 Don’t you think?
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Encouraging Phrases for Kids #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z