Writers Write - Artists Create - Plumbers Plumb - Teachers Teach - ETC.

I've been a businessman my entire career. However, during that career I wrote two books. Now that I'm retired, I consider myself a writer. The main reason I'm a writer is because I have a burning desire to write. I would have that intense desire even if nobody ever read the books or the blogs I've written. Writers write.

Writing makes me happy. Yesterday, I spent an hour rereading some of my blogs. When I get it right, I'm very proud of myself. I'm especially proud of yesterday's blog about my feelings toward the spying and information gathering the government, websites and marketers are doing to Americans.  Putting my feelings on a written page and then staring at the words afterword is very releasing and fulfilling.

In all four of my books and all of my blogs, my passion and my involvement is clear to anyone reading my works. Even my novel, "The Year Of My Death" has a story that includes, my wife, my sister and myself. That's really personal.

I love the passion my friend Jay has regarding his painting. He paints for himself. The other day his paintings went on display and I could see the bright light in his eyes as he looked at his paintings. I asked his wife if he would sell his paintings and she said, it's possible, but he would never let go of the really good ones. I can only assume that he is holding on to his paintings because they bring him happiness. Artists create.

Creative artists amaze me. Seeing what they are able to create brings a glow to my body and mind. I can stare at a painting, a skyscraper, a statue, a ruin, etc. for hours soaking in the fantastic creativity and wishing I could do that.

What goes unnoticed is the passion some have for their daily job. We all can't be writers or artists. However, we can have a passion and be proud of ourselves for the work we do. Most of us think of a plumber as a person who never went to college, would prefer to do something different from plumbing and/or doesn't see their job as interesting or important.

This might be true of some, but, definitely not true of the majority. We know we want the best doctor when we are ill. We also know we want the best plumber or car mechanic when a pipe bursts or our car stops running. The best plumber is one who has a passion for his work, is proud of herself when she solves a plumbing problem and is extremely happy when his customer thanks him for a job well done and pays him for the effort. This is just as true with a professional car mechanic. Plumbers plumb.

Teaching is a great job. Yes, there are some teachers that just want to get through the day, but true teachers don't worry about the money because they love to teach. If I chose another thing to do instead of business and writing, I would choose teaching. Teachers can be creative. Teachers can be great communicators. Teachers can change the lives of their students. Teachers teach.

When I went to high school I had two teachers who had a passion for their job. One was my Science teacher and the other was my Spanish teacher. My Science teacher loved science. He had so much fun teaching. He found creative ways to get me interested in science. He danced around the room like he was performing. When I spoke to him individually, I could see how happy he was about the science and also about the methods he used to teach his subject.

My Spanish teacher had the same passion. Even though I stunk at languages, I enjoyed watching him teach. He was so disappointed at me because I just couldn't grasp the language. What that told me was how much he cared about the subject he was teaching. The gigantic smile on his face when his prize pupils had conversations with him in Spanish, put a big smile on my face. He loved what he was doing and it made him happy when his students learned from him.

I could go on and on, but, I'm assuming you're getting the point of this blog. You can be a butcher, a baker or a candlestick maker and have a passion and love for what you do. The best of them are the ones that feel a pride in what they do and the happiness it brings them when they do it right.

Sooo, now I'm a writer and writing is bring happiness into my life. Am I any good at it? That's not for me to say because I'm prejudice. Anything I put on the page excites me. Therefore, since I'm excited to write it down and share it with the world, I know it's good because I accomplished it.

Look at your life. Find your passions. Give yourself a big pat on the back when you do it right.

 

Most of all - do it no matter what "it" is. Do it for yourself first and others second.