Comments on: Are You Pursuing Your Passion or Just Being Practical?

By: Is Life Getting More Difficult?

Is Life Getting More Difficult? — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:05:21 +0000

[...] We all encounter a degree of resistance in life, it’s simply unavoidable. But does it seem to you like life has been getting more difficult lately? Do you find that it takes more effort to accomplish things that used to be simple?The ability to cope…How do you cope with challenges?The positive side of copingYou can run, but you cannot hide!The springboard approachHow I use discomfort to create motivation“I’ll be in my best shape in a decade after 90 days.” This goal was a direct result of some discomfort I was experiencing. Over the last few years my level of fitness had declined to the point where it made me uncomfortable and I decided to do something about it.Choose positive coping skills To some degree we can work to simplify our lives and reduce the number of challenges we are exposed to. This can make a significant difference in our quality of life, but we will still face challenges! In the long run, adopting positive and productive methods for meeting those challenges is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.Are you finding life to be increasingly more challenging? What are your favorite ways of coping with challenges? The lines are open!If you enjoyed this article, consider email or RSS updates! Related Articles: Want a Big Dose of Motivation? What It Takes to Accomplish Your Dreams Make It Happen Now Countdown UPDATE Maintaining Your Youthful Enthusiasm At Any Age Are You Pursuing Your Passion or Just Being Practical? [...]

By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills

Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:31:06 +0000

Hey John, passionately written my friend. Your comment demonstrates the energy of passion. This kind of resolve and enthusiasm can't be found in the world of "purely practical." Passion is the rocket fuel of achievement and the foundation of a satisfying life experience. As you brought out, many have never felt the true force of passion because they haven't taken the time to discover their true self. When we Find our true self we find our passion. As a reminder to our readers, the first section in my book 7 Simple Steps is devoted to discovering your true self and your passions. If that's not worth $27, then I suggest you try to get comfortable with the mediocrity of practical.

By: John Duffield

John Duffield — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:58:50 +0000

Hi Johnathan from a chilly Canadian farm today! Your post struck several chords and nerves and tickled at least two wing-bones. In short, I’m passionate about passion. Here’s some things about passion to think about. I believe anyone who’s discovered theirs will agree. Passion can’t be denied. It’s a white-hot, irresistable Force that’ll push from within until the end. It’s more unmistakable in life than the proverbial ten ton elephant in a phone booth. No one with passion doubts they have it. More to the point perhaps, it creates life as it goes….so giving up on it is a sort of suicide. That brings me to a misunderstanding many people have about “being practical vs passionate”. No one who really does tap into this passionate life-force within each of us will choose practical over passionate. Anyone who thinks they do….. hasn’t felt the true force of passion. Real passion is all about being yourself…and no one who discovers who they are will continue pretending to be something else….”because it’s more practical”. Certainly you can wake up to your passion and find yourself in the wrong job, marriage, or group of friends……I did. But what happens then is this. Your passion pushes you to slowly but surely work your way elsewhere…..to where you’re meant to be. Your passion simply will NOT let you just…..stay where you are…”for practical reasons”. It will force you to change your life every which way if need be. It will drive you to find a way to make a living being yourself. Why? Because being yourself is the most treasured thing you can get. Every happy thing follows from being yourself. In summary then, I would say this. If you think you’re choosing being practical over your passion….you don’t know your passion. A bit of a scary idea maybe…..but true. Ciao Johnathan. John Duffield
John Duffield´s last blog ..How to Have Real Integrity

By: Frugal Expat

Frugal Expat — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:17:04 +0000

I have been practical all my life because there is no other option but to be practical. Now ten years after, I wanted to pursue my passion and live the life I want.

As you said, I have the right to pursue my passion and I am claiming that right now…
Frugal Expat´s last blog ..Surviving the Tough Economy: Extra Source of Income

By: Robin Easton

Robin Easton — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:19:18 +0000

OMG!!! I am laughing out loud with tears in my eyes!!! Oh this just made my whole day! “…a walking billboard…” I LOVE that. I’m still laughing. My husband will get a real charge out of that one. And honestly, Jonathan, I don’t think I do realize it. I’m just ME. And that is what is SO incredible and amazing for me, is to have you see who I am. It helps me claim more of myself in a healthy way. That is such a gift. My husband said that about you the other day, when I was sharing with him one of your responses to a comment I made. He said, Jonathan sees in a deep way and that is good for you Robin, because not everyone can see like that. Thank you SO much, and I appreciate YOUR influence.
Robin Easton´s last blog ..Five Perspectives on Death

By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills

Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:02:42 +0000

Robin, you are one of the most passionate and daring people I know. These traits inspire others to live a life in pursuit of their own passions. Maybe you don’t realize it, but you are a walking billboard for living with passion. You certainly inspire me, and I really appreciate your influence.

By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills

Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:58:24 +0000

Hi Nea, great point, “we all have the ability to decide to add it ourselves.” That’s really what it all comes down to, making a choice.

By: Robin Easton

Robin Easton — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:10:11 +0000

I’d have to say that I am definitely pursuing my passion. I would also have to say that it is both amaaaazing AND that it takes guts and determination and an indomitable spirit…even when you don’t feel those things. It is not always easy and at times can be downright hard, but I would not trade it for being practical or safe any day. I NEED to live with a challenge and my biggest dream and all my dreams in between…even if I fail. That is not important. What IS important is that I dared to try, I dare to go beyond what is safe and practical…but even more important is that I am fully living. When we do that it is impossible to fail, because reaching the dream no longer becomes the goal. It is the fantastic journey along the way. One filled with vitality.

Thank you my friend.
Very inspiring post.
Robin Easton´s last blog ..Five Perspectives on Death

By: Nea | Self Improvement Saga

Nea | Self Improvement Saga — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:55:52 +0000

Great article! We really are programmed to achieve comfort in what society says is the proper or acceptable way. Straying from the safe route in pursuit of what brings us a deep sense of joy is rarely added to the to the to-do list that we’re given in our youth. But we all have the ability to decide to add it ourselves.

These days my motto is “Being practical is completely impractical.”
Nea | Self Improvement Saga´s last blog ..What It Really Takes to Achieve the Impossible

By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills

Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:19:36 +0000

Well said Sam, I feel the same way. Thanks for joing the canversation.