comments

1. bobfromthesunset on October 26th, 2009 at 10:23 am

   Money.

2. Daryl Scroggins on October 26th, 2009 at 10:23 am

   Ambrose Bierce: “Comfort is the smother of invention.”

3. Dave Vogt on October 26th, 2009 at 10:37 am

   I’m still young and deluded enough to think that I am pursuing what I’m passionate about, just in a very slow and roundabout manner.

4. Chris P on October 26th, 2009 at 10:55 am

   Right now? The rain that’s bucketing down in Houston.
   Generally? The regular pay cheque and the mortgage, but knocking that down as quickly as I can.

5. Andrew Simone on October 26th, 2009 at 11:46 am

   Money, but mostly confusion. Since dropping out of seminary, it hasn’t been entirely clear what I need/want to do.

6. Coop on October 26th, 2009 at 11:49 am

   Great question, Patrick. My answer: insufficient funds.

7. Michael Smith on October 26th, 2009 at 11:58 am

   I’m with Andrew. I have passion I just don’t know where to apply it.

8. Cindy Scroggins on October 26th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

   I am between 2 and 4 years away from pursuing my passion (see numerous posts re: the Marfa hacienda). The good news for all y’all who are feeling stuck is that, while Daryl and I have felt for years that we were sacrificing too much of our best selves to the mundane necessities of work and responsibilities, it really is possible to reach a point where all of that work pays off. I’ll be able to retire at 55 (and perhaps as early as 53). So, at this point, instead of concentrating on what is keeping me where I am, I’m focusing on where I soon will be.

9. andrea on October 26th, 2009 at 1:04 pm

   I am someone who shifted focus in the middle of what some would call a successful career to pursue something I was/am passionate about. Based on my experience I will say that sometimes, pursuing one’s passion isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

   It sounds like a great idea, and as a concept it’s certainly being used to sell a lot of books in the self-help/entrepreneurship genres — especially now, in the midst of a recession that’s claiming a lot of people’s existing livelihoods. But all other things being equal, one’s passion doesn’t necessarily need to be one’s life’s work.

   Passions don’t always make a good professions. Passion is pleasure; work isn’t, necessarily. Turning one’s passion into one’s profession fundamentally changes the relationship.

   Um, I should stop now because I could probably author an entire blog on this topic alone.

10. Daryl Scroggins on October 26th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    Well said, Andrea. My passion has always been writing–but I realized early on that I didn’t want to write for money. I sure don’t turn it down when it comes, but when one depends on an activity to pay the bills, the temptation to compromise the art of one’s efforts expands. I suppose writing is a kind of job for me in that I teach writing; but if an editor wants a change I don’t want, I have no qualms about saying fine–don’t run the piece.

    And Andrea–sounds like you might need to do a book!

11. Libby on October 26th, 2009 at 9:35 pm

    A lease. And the fear that there won’t be a new job out there for me.

12. Aaron Winslow on October 27th, 2009 at 10:31 am

    Debt.

13. vin. on October 27th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    What if the things and people I am passionate about keep me where I am?

14. Cindy Scroggins on October 27th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    Then you, dear Vin, are a lucky man.

15. vin. on October 28th, 2009 at 10:05 am

    Cindy–

    It took me awhile to get here… but I’m pretty happy with where I ended up.

16. andrea on October 28th, 2009 at 10:10 am

    A BOOK. Darryl. Heaven forfend.

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