Painting is a new passion of mine. I unwrapped this passion in a roundabout way. My daughter suggested a painting night many moons ago. My first painting was simply a blend of different colors. I sold that painting for $100 and donated the money to a deaf school.
I dabbled here and there with paint on canvas. I really had no instruction in this medium, I simply danced my brush in various ways and stood back to see what transpired. Then I discovered alcohol inks and fell in love. Most days I paint. On the days I don’t, I’m usually scrolling through Instagram for ideas or thinking about what I want to paint next.
What I’ve discovered about passion in this process is that sometimes passion takes a long time to develop. Persistence is the key when you’re starting out with something that is new and requires skill to advance. As you grow, learn, and refine, passion can emerge from the process. If you give up too soon during the learning stage, you may miss something that could bring your life to a whole new level of living.
Seek out mentors, teachers, coaches, and guides. Those who’ve walked the passion path before you can pave a smoother path ahead for you.
Allow yourself to experience something new in a deep way–especially something that requires skill, expertise, or a big learning curve–give yourself the time to adjust and adapt. When you embark on something new–there are always dark moments, mistakes, blunders, and low points. Embrace the valleys, because on the other side, you may find great passion.
Helen Keller said it best:
“The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.”
Karen Putz is known as The Passion Mentor. She is the author of Unwrapping Your Passion, Creating the Life You Truly Want.