What is Your Passion?

In the midst of the bits of extra sleep and working on other projects, I’ve been pensive for the past couple of days. Trying to figure things out from a long-term perspective. Trying to decide on course corrections, make decisions about where to put time and effort, that kind of thing. Not in my personal life (although this can often blur into the professional one so easily), but mainly for what I want from JessicaSprague.com. What I want to offer, what I have the capacity for, whether I’m meeting the needs of the people there, how do draw new people in.

And it didn’t strike me until reading a blog today with the header, “What’s Your Passion?” that this is really what drives so much of what I do professionally. AsI get more and more in to this, what I am really passionate about becomes more and more refined, chiseled out in better detail from the, “I love to teach scrapbooking” to a true definition of what gets me out of bed in the morning. I’m still coming up with exactly what this means, and I’m still way open to definitions of what this means for me as I continue to think about this.

Some of the things I’m really passionate about include:

• The light that comes on inside the eyes of people who “get it” for the first time ever.
• Showing people how to accomplish their vision using the tools available in Photoshop
• Seeing finished layouts in a class I taught - whether that’s in person or through email or an online gallery.
  
• Beautifully organized thoughts, systems, pages, classes (I am not done refining this one yet, hehe - so much for beautifully organized…)
• Living, working, and teaching in such a way that I can inspire others to try new things, while still remembering our ultimate purpose and goal - to celebrate.
  
• Hearing about people (other than me) who’ve stood in the doorway with a new Shutterfly book in their hands and cried.
• Making connections with my own family, and with people around the globe who share the same interests as I do
• Creating beautiful projects, and teaching others to create beautiful projects that provide opportunities to create or celebrate connections and togetherness.

Being a super awesome amazing Photoshop ninja didn’t make my list. Huh.

There are some really exciting new projects in the works at the web site, which I’ll be announcing in November, and (as so often happens with the really good things in my life) the capacity and ability to do these new things has only come about by a strange set of coincidences, and (what seems on the surface like) pure chance.

Instead, though, I feel like it’s time to make an evolution. I think it’ll be both a broadening and a refocusing of our efforts.

So as I’m pondering this, I decided to have a De-Lurking Invitational! Yippee! :D

De-Lurking Invitational: What Is Your Passion?

What gets you out of bed in the mornings? What’s the no-fail way to light your fire again, no matter how tired you feel? This can be a personal or a professional passion.

And here’s the question #2, which you don’t need to answer here, but which you should answer, really. What are you doing in your life right now to pursue your answer to question 1?

And what the heck is a de-lurking invitational? 

This is your opportunity, if you lurk, and nod, and say “oh yeah” or “no way!” or whatever it is you say, to actually post something. That’s right. You can do it! Stand up and be counted!

And what’s in it for you?

How about this? 

The Scrapbooker’s Answer to Planning and Journaling

I have in my hot little hands, a 2009 My Book Adaptable Photo Planner from Per Annum! This is the 6x8 size, and it has 1 year of weekly planner pages, 16 inkjet-printable sheets, and 12 archival pockets. This thing will be an awesome planner for 2009! And I’d like to give this thing away.

Okay, that’s #1. Ready for #2?

I ALSO have a My Book Adaptable Journal, with 85 lined pages and 12 photo pockets. This one is also 6x8 in size, perfect for tucking into a purse - you can put all kinds of stuff in the pockets, pics on the pages, this thing is awesome.

Alright, tell me what your passion is. Let the de-lurking invitational begin! :D

Ya’ve got til 9 p.m. Eastern on Friday (Photoshop Phriday), September 26 to post away. :D

Comments

[Terri (lucysmom)]

Oh Jessica. You are so inspirational to me. And if it weren't for you, my passion may still be buried. I have learned SO much from your classes. I am constantly learning, from our forums and the amazing women who I call friends.

My passion is growing my own business. Nothing makes me happier than be on my computer and CREATING!

What steps am I taking? I plan to devote a whole weekend to that and I can't wait to see my potential!

[JaneAnn]

I am now retired and I have multiple passions! My summertime passion was waking up early to enjoy a cup of tea while sitting in my garden watching hummingbirds. Now that summer is at an end, I am enjoying the cold crisp fall morning air - still a few hummingbirds, but I am watching them from the window in my office - to chilly to sit outside at 6:30am. I'll have to see what new passions I develop during the winter and spring.

[Melissa]

My passion is people - making my home inviting and welcoming, and sharing my life with my family and friends.

[Dori Overman]

Jessica,
I've been reading your blog and learning from you for so long and have never had the nerve to actually post! I feel like you are one of the greats and I'm honored to even get to read and learn! What is my passion? My kids and my husband...I know..that's what every one says! What do I really, really want to do? Well, after 22 years of being a nurse (no, I'm really not that old!) I so badly want to earn a living doing what I love and that is photography and digital scrapbooking! I just love, love LOVE playing with the camera and PS3 and am taking classes at our community college in Digital Design working on an associate in that. I would so very much love to have someone like you to sit beside and learn from. I'm a very visual person so I learn best by watching other people and learning hands on instead of reading in a book! Thank you so much for what you do every day...your passion feeds my passion and hopefully, one day, I can take a break from Nursing and enjoy photography and digital scrapbooking! All that brings me back to my kids and my husband. You see, I have a very special little boy. He is one of 4 in the world with his diagnosis. He is severely mentally and physically handicapped and this passion of mine might someday allow me more time and flexability to spend with him and his (normal) twin sister and little sister. You can see pictures of them on my blog. He looks perfectly normal and in my eyes he IS perfect (though not normal!)

[Beth Nixon]

Hmm, there must be something about the change of season that triggers this sort of thought process. I've been doing a lot of thinking about where I want my life to be lately. I just picked up a book, SHED by Julie Morgenstern, and have picked a new theme for my life. I blogged about it a few days ago, but it's to expand my village. (http://bethnixon.blogspot.com/2008/09/building-my-village-plus-freebie-sneak.html)

Now, my process is to eliminate those things that don't feed my passion. And that's hard. Being a digi-scrap designer was my passion. But I decided to quit because it wasn't where I wanted my life to be. Now, scrapping will be my hobby. Not my job. And, suddenly, I more passionate about it again!

My steps to go for my passion, building my village, include finishing the book! Then putting myself out there to help and be helped in my community. Had my first PTA meeting tonight!! I'm on my way of going after my passion!

[Linn]

I have a wonderful My Book from CPR and can't wait to use it, so you don't need to add me to your drawing, but I AM inspired to comment anyway. I'm so glad you posted about thinking about your passion and planning your life by it. I've spent the last two years learning to slow down and breathe, so that I don't miss life as it speeds by. I think that's my passion...grabbing onto the little daily moments and really drinking them in. And the steps I'm taking are a constant pruning of my outside commitments...I think long and hard before adding anything to my calendar, as I know how easy it is for hurry to creep back in, uninvited. Thanks for the reminder.

[Amy N.]

i have a few passions. photography and children being the main work related ones. at least i can still substitute teach while growing my photography business.

i have also learned so much from your classes. if you had seen me when i realized the wonders of clipping masks you would have seen that light go off.

[ConnieC]

I'm not really delurking, since I have taken a lot of the Digi classes at your site.
My passion lately has been ttv photography.
It's using an old vintage camera and shooting an image through the viewfinder of that camera. I use my Digital camera to capture the image.
I'm busy taking photos, editing, and running actions on the photos.
You can learn more about ttv at this site.
http://www.russmorris.com/ttv/

[Michelle]

My new passion has become children's photograpy. Thankfully I have a nephew who mostly cooperates with me. I would love to start a children's photography business. I have been reading tons of books to learn more and taking thousands of pictures. Thanks for all your inspiration.

[HannaL]

My passion is photography (and scrapbooking) - I am constantly reading books, blogs & am taking the Oh Scrap class to try and learn more. Trying to gain the confidence to find my vision and how I want to express myself.

[Valerie]

My passion is photography, and it has been as long as I can remember (I was 4 when I got my first camera, and that was a looong time ago I assure you!) Now with digital, and photoshop, my passion has taken on so many new and exciting dimensions, every day is a new opportunity to learn and grow - it doesn't get better than that!

[VickiF]

Okay I admit to lurking. But only for a week or so, that's when I found your blog! My passion is my children. When they're in school & DH is working, however,my passion is paper crafts. I spend an incredible amount of time in my scrappy space creating, surfing the web and reading blogs, chatting on Making Memories For You, where I'm on the DT. This bring a light to my eyes. Even if I'm exhausted, I can still find time to create or read blogs. And, you know what they say practice makes perfect. Well, I don't want to be perfect, but I am motivated to always do better. Push that envelope just a litte farther, branch into other paper crafts. Learn photoshop....Yes, I'm a complete infant when it comes to that. And, boy I really want to learn. I love to take photos, I want to ba able to manipulate them too. Okay, I'm rambling on here. But, you did invite me to de-lurk!

[sarah]

my passion is photography. and business...i really enjoy most aspects of both things. i have young kids, so I can't pursue either too heavily, but those are definitely two of the things I would say I was passionate about.

[sandy]

My current passion is my 2 year old granddaughter- but anything creative gets me going and I lose all track of time...

[Star]

My passion right now is exploration. I've spent my life filling roles that have been expected of me and it's time for me to break out, so I've been exploring with my camera and through journaling and reading all sorts of artistic things (books, magazines, blogs).

Thanks for your generosity in offering the two "My Book" items as give-aways, Jessica.

[Terebene]

Jessica,
I am also not a delurker (you hear from me plenty - maybe too often) and you don't need to put me in the drawing. I won't use the books and I am being practical(although I WANT them - see Type+writer thread).

My passions are making my child giggle, taking an excellent photograph (fewer than I would like), turning out an awesome scrapbook page, learning a new and amazing thing about God, and helping others in my sphere (daughter's school PTO, online-like at JS boards, other pharmacists figure stuff out).
Do I accomplish those all the time? No way, but having a diversity keeps me interested and engaged.

I am excited for the new online changes. I would love to be a part of what is happening in some small way if it can make your life run more smoothly. I will send you an email.

Thanks for the moment of reflection. It is good for all of us occasionally.

[Karen]

My passion has always been my family, followed by teaching which I did for 37 years. This is my first year of retirement, and my passion now is photography and scrapbooking. I so wish I had taken up these hobbies when my children were young, but I'm making the most of it now. I was lucky enough to spend all day Saturday with my son--a rare event. We ate, hiked, and took photos together. When I created a scrapbook page tonight of one of the photos I took on Saturday I realized that I have many wonderful photographs of my children now as young adults, and for that I am grateful. But not as grateful as I am to have had the chance to spend a day with one of them! Thanks for all your inspiration--in your classes and on your blog. I am a faithful lurker here.

[Joy]

What's my passion. Photography. As a side-line to that, playing with the results of my photography...scrapbooking. When I *nail* a photo I'm trying to capture...the joy is unmeasurable. When I take a favorite photo and make it a living & breathing memory in the form of a scrapbook page, I am so fullfilled.

What am I doing to work on these two passions? Nothing at the moment. And that's the problem. I'm giving 110% to everything else in my life (family, work, volunteer obligations) that I've left myself little to no room for what thrills me.

I recognized this about 6 months ago. I've made small changes to work toward getting things better organized and scheduled, but I'm not there yet. I've told myself that I may just have to break down and actually schedule it. Put it in writing. Up on fridge with the rest of our "family calendar" information. I haven't done it yet...but I'm reaching that point!

[Laura]

My passion is genealogy. I really wish I could turn it into a business.

[shell (shmoop)]

well, i love photography and scrapbooking, but my truest and longest running passion is my LORD and savior, my family, and......extending that family! I have a real heart for children and God has really been knocking on my heart's door!

I have been blessed so many ways in my life and i can never get enough of finging ways to give back. If I'm hearing the call right, we are going to try to adopt, internationally. If it really is HIS plan, we'll get it done, and if not I'm sure God has a plan for how i can help in some capacity for these little orphans. It truly tugs on my heart.

My FAMILY is what gets me outta bed in the am...no matter how tired i am or how crappy i feel!

Notice, it's not my day job. Isn't that interesting? I've never met a dying person who regrets not working more...and i've met a lot of dying people! It's all about time with the people they love!

[Angie mighty-nice)]

Jessica, Jessica, Jessica - am I the only woman here without a firm grasp of my passions? I sure wish I had ONE real passion - mine seem to come and go with the wind (digi scrapping, blogging, organizing, reading (Twilight series right now), cooking, dieting, excersizing, inspirational reading, meditation)! You're very lucky to have such well-defined daily passions! I tend to let my passion be stiffled by my self-imposed need for perfection... I keep trying, though, I read inspirational authors in an attempt to find and learn how to hold onto a one true passion.

[Becca]

You really got my thinking. I tried to put my finger on one passion, not just a hobby, and I think I've come up with my passion: having everything in order - feeling like everything has a place and is there. This is so hard to do with 4 kids that I homeschool so I think I've decided I need to re-evaluate my passion and perhaps we'll have a happier home :)

[Christy]

Ok, I'll I've been lurking since CKU Provo, so I'll delurk for the first time...what truly lights my fire would be people, whether it's time with other moms or time with my kids...but not the housework aspect of having kids, the relational aspect!

After that come photography and scrapbooking.

[WendyM]

Thanks for the invitation to de-lurk. I'm a blogger myself and I know how valuable blog comments can be.

Let me say that I SEE YOU AND YOU ARE AWESOME!

I RSS your blog and read all of your posts. I learned to scrapbook by taking your beginner class. I've taken all of your classes so far. I read and save your Creating Keepsakes articles. I scraplift your layouts. And the layouts that you've taught me from classes remain my all-time favorites.

I wake up in the morning to be the best Mom and Wife I can be. Anything that helps me do that job better- from new recipes to toddler activities- excites me.

And right now, my personal passion is photography and scrapbooking. After a day of diapers and feedings and happy squeals and fussy whining, I look forward to sitting down at night and looking at that 12x12 page. Honestly, it gives me a lovely sense of control. And I adore, love and want to jump up and down whenever I learn something "new and so cool!" So many of those cool things I've learned have been from you. So thank you for that!

One idea that excites me is to have a "weight loss/ exercise more/ get healthier" scrapbook class. A teacher could offer us the questions or prompts and we could make pages about our process--the good parts, bad parts, day-to-day parts. Just an idea.

I leave you with this-- Stay Calm and Rock On!

[Kara Sheridan]

Hi Jessica (waving from my lurking corner)...my passion is using my strengths to make a positive difference in the world around me. I've recently switched to full-time freelance writing so I've had to refocus and learn some serious self-discipline. For me this means balancing tasks I'm not crazy about but that can help me make a living and the rewarding tasks that I love. It's especially tricky when both of these happen in the same room (and often on the same computer!) but it's a mindset change.
Thanks for the opportunity to come out of the shadows.

[Marne]

Hmmm, my passion seems to always be changing somewhat, but what will always be at the top are:
1. My Family
2. My Faith
3. Always Learning
I love to learn new things...thus why I am delving into Photoshop and digi scrapping! It has been frustrating, but also fun. Thanks for all your help and knowledge! You are amazing Jessica!

[Amber]

My passions? Being with my 6 month old son and creating. And now, that's how I get to spend most of my time. I'm going to school part time for photography. The rest of the time, I'm home with my son. And life is good right now. :)

[liz]

Jessica, the planner and journal are totally cool! What gets me up, no matter what, is an idea, an urge - to create something, anything that might bring a light or smile to someone's face. What am I doing to pursue this passion? I am trying to expand my horizons (by lurking for one) and taking your class to learn new ways, ideas and methods to do what I desire. Thanks for the insight!

[Nicky Anderson]

What gets me out of bed and inspires me!! My passion for family heritage and sharing that through scrapbooking, photo books and quilting. The hope to take my amateur photography to the next level with photoshop (which I just got in the mail)
The inspiration that you creative ladies help me with!!
Thank you always
Nicyky

[Robyn]

My passion is photography. I'm building a business doing something I love and it's awesome. :)