February Theme: Passion (chosen by Dani, author of Positively Present )
As this month passed by in a flash, passion was on my mind.
As I’ve said in a previous post, what is on our mind makes us see “it” more often in our daily lives. That’s why I love RAOKA so much, it turns my head toward something different every month, helping me to see this amazing world in which we live.
Something kept appearing over and over—
My passion for narrative non-fiction books!
I’ve been meaning to post about some of my favorite books in this genre, so I’ll talk about three of them here since they tie so well into one of my deepest passions.
There’s something about being taken on a journey while we also get to learn something new along the way. It’s absolutely magical in my eyes.
1) In my previous post, I wrote about a book by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. Please visit that post if you’re curious. I highly recommend this book.
2) “The Wild Trees,” about which I’ve also posted the fall of 2009. I love this kind of story, bridging adventure (climbing gigantic Redwood trees), nature conservation, and a slew of knowledge about nature (lichens!).
Click to view this book at Amazon.com
3) Another adventure-focused book about a guy and his girlfriend, who hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, called, “The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind And Almost Found Myself on the Pacific Crest Trail,” by Dan White (a local San Franciscan).
I hope you check out some of these books. Always feel free to Contact Me regarding recommendations for narrative non-fiction books or memoirs. I’ve read, well, about a gazillion of them.
Plus, I’ve Identified Yet More Passion!
Similar to other RAOKA posts, I find that once I get going, I feel passion around me. So, in addition to my passion for reading, I must make note of another passion for this month.
Seeing others truly identify and incorporate his or her passions into life!
Being a former running/triathlon coach, boss-lady, and business owner, there’s nothing that tickles me more than seeing people figure out where their passions reside.
(I don’t only mean big things like new careers, but also little things that people discover bring them joy throughout the day.)
A hiker's photo along the Pacific Crest Trail (click to visit PCT website)
Here are some examples:
1) Even though we haven’t heard the details yet, I’m excited for what awaits Sean Platt and his business partner David over at Collective Inkwell. It looks like they have something brewing that will help their passions flower. Yay for them!
2) A friend of mine in the corporate/biotech world is finding balance with her new baby, marriage, and work. She’s figuring out how to thrive. Good for her!
3) A friend of mine has stopped running an aspect of her business that she was consistently dreading. This one move has brought her a lot of joy. In this case, she realized this was no longer a passion. Thumps up!
4) A friend of mine has possibly met a potential life partner. My lips are sealed, but wow, talk about passion. Yippee!
5) My dear friend has decided to start training for a particular marathon. The person has a passion to finish in good spirits. Having a passion for a goal like this is one of the most beautiful passions to me. I can’t wait to see this person cross the finish line. Kaazah!
I could go on and on, but I’m going to stop here so you out there reading can join in. What are your passions? What has happened in the month of Feburary that has either ignited a passion you didn’t know you had, or have you observed anyone finding a small snippet of passion in his or her day?
Please share with me!
Oh yeah, I can’t forget next month’s theme, chosen by yours truly: LAUGHTER!
Create a great day!
♦ Check out January’s theme post: Gratitude.
♦ Or, read December’s theme post: Wacky!
♦ Or, visit November’s theme post: Beauty.
The RAOKA mission seeks to remind us that Random Acts of Kick Arse happen all around us. Each month, a member of Sami’s RAOKA groupies picks a new theme to focus our attention on something positive and good in this world.
On the first Wednesday of the month (or Thursday for you folks living on the other half of this world) we all post about what we’ve observed.
If you’re feeling the RAOKA love and have a post to add to the collection, Contact Me and I’ll add it to my post. Or, simply join us in the comments.
Sami at Life, Laughs & Lemmings
Lance at Jungle of Life
Dani at Positively Present
Gayze at Gazehound’s Animal Communication
Zeenat at Positive Provocations
Also, check out Cheryl’s RAOKA post at That Girl is Funny
[logo designed by Melissa at Operation Nice]
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Hi Lori .. not sure = crazy doesn’t it – I’m so looking forward to travelling and being free again – but for now I take as much joy with me to my mother and from her as I can – I’m grateful for those moments. My brain is storing things and just releases what it can deal with. I’d love to meet us all – I think that’d be great, seeing new places too …
so my passion is living quietly at the moment, taking stock and working through things!
Hilary´s last blog ..The Middle Ages of the web – ancient pathways, monastic steps, St David yesterday, St Chad today and lines of communication …
Hi Hilary,
It’s wonderful to read about your passions, and also to hear your grace and thankfulness about having time with your mother. I think that’s very special and says a lot about you.
Thanks for contributing to the comments; it brings me much joy to read about other’s accomplishments regarding what brings them peace and passion.
Take care, and I wish you travels in your life when it’s right.
Rock on! Ain’t passion wonderful? No matter if it’s passion for books, passion for a business, passion for a dream, or passion for another person, it makes you come alive and feel like a million bucks. Passion rocks!
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..What to Eat
Yes, Jay, passion rocks, especially you let it happen naturally. Lovely!
And, I love how you said that, that passions makes us feel like a million bucks. Boy howdy, isn’t that the truth!!!
Keep rockin’ the universe, Jay. Have a great day!
Hi Lori,
Your book recommendation, “The Cactus Eaters”, really sounds so good. I’ll have to check this one out.
And I love how you have highlighted where you are seeing passion in others. Lori, that’s a beautiful gift you are sharing here…the one of your heart reaching out and seeing a glimpse of someone else’s soul.
My passions: I find that right now, I have a passion for life. (pretty vague, huh??) It’s become about a connection to my body, a connection to my soul, and a connection to the heart and soul of others (like you, sweet friend). I’m reminded that what I really have, is this moment, now. And in that moment, I can choose to live it passionately…or not. I hope that I am…and that I’m connecting to that within me that feels alive. It’s a process, and all part of the journey, I suppose….
Know that it is always so good for me to be here, in this space of yours, Lori, and feel your presence…and the peace that comes along with that.
Lance´s last blog ..RAOKA: Passion
Hi Lance,
Hey, loved your RAOKA post today, Lance! Wow, you are a certified, 100% writer with beautiful words — I can’t wait to get back there to read it again! Loved it!
Oh, yes, the “Cactus Eaters” was an excellent read, it’s much more than about a hike across the US, it’s about relationships, people they met along the way, and finding out what makes us tick. It’s a great read, let me know if you decide to read it and your thoughts if you want. I’d love to hear your take on it.
And, Lance, I’m not surprised that you have a passion for life. It shows through your writing and, maybe more importantly, your actions.
You bring peace, hope, and joy everywhere you go. So, thanks for bringing this to JBN today, Lance. I feel I’ve been touched by the light.
Have a great day!
You’re still a boss-lady to me Lori.
What I’ve been realizing lately is that I have so many things I do that put me in the “flow” — that state where I’m 100% focused on what I’m doing — including writing, music, speaking, Tae Kwon Do, and so on. What’s been hard recently for me is to get my priorities straight!
Hi Chris,
I love the energy you bring to JBN when you can visit; you’re such a fun guy!
Oh, oh, you thinking I’m still a boss-lady made me crack up. I *think* I was a good boss/manager, but I suppose I shouldn’t speak for my former employees. I think I was just really lucky and the people who worked for and with me were amazing people. I was certainly blessed to manage them and to help them mold their careers.
It’s great to hear you’re in the flow. (I love that word, btw.) Priorities have always been a bit of a struggle for me, too. But, if I had to guess, maybe your priorities are tough to juggle because you’re so good at so many things and you find joy in a lot of endeavors. It’s hard to choose when the world is your oyster, right?
Great to see you, Chris, you always make me smile. Thank you!
Hi Lori:
Great topic and post!! I share your passion for narrative non-fiction books and really like your suggestions. Here’s a couple more that I’ve read…Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods” which is a book about his hike along the Appalachian trail. I also dig some travel books from Paul Theroux, especially the one about Africa, “Dark Star Safari.” I’m also a huge fan of David Sedaris.
Anyhow, thank you for also sharing some examples of passion that surrounds you – it is a great reminder to all of us that there’s a lot more passion around all of us than we think.
I look forward to the RAOKA topic next month!
Hi Tim,
Thanks for your book recommendations! I’ve heard of Bryson’s book, and really need to get that one in my list of thirteen soon. I read “Riding the Iron Rooster” by Theroux and I agree, he’s a great story teller.
OH, and don’t even start with Sedaris. I would give just about anything to be able to write like him — he makes me laugh out loud. Occasionally he writes for the “New Yorker” magazine and I really anticipate those articles. He’s amazing.
Yes, just like with the other themes, once you are aware of them, they surround you like crazy. It’s really quite amazing.
Finally, I share your joy for laughter, Tim, so I hope you’ll spend March gathering your goofiest, funniest stuff and post about them, or at least add to the comments. I truly want to spend this month in gut-busting laughter — the goofier the better!
Enjoy your day, Tim.
You just had to bring up the lichens didn’t you?! Bloody little cuties they are (you know, I NEVER would have thought I’d consider lichens “bloody little cuties” – I have you to thank for that!).
Such a fantastic post girl! I totally know what you mean when you say that when you focus on a RAOKA theme, you seem to notice it all around you. Makes you realise what we don’t see a lot of the time eh? Your list of little passionate experiences is a perfect example of what you could have missed if you weren’t looking.
RAOKA on! xxx
Sami – Life, Laughs & Lemmings´s last blog ..Random Acts of Kick Arse – Passion
Hi Sami,
Exactly!
And, for sure, I couldn’t leave my passion post without some lichen name-dropping! ha he he ha I just love the little buggers.
Thanks for leading the RAOKA charge, Sami, I can see how many lives you’ve touched, and it’s just beautiful. Lookie what you did!
RAOKA on, yourself, Sami, I’ll always be here rooting you on!
~xo!
Lori, right now, I am 90% depleted.
And I’m cool with that!
I got a bunch done over the last few days, and now my mind and body are telling me, “no more.”
Time to chill for a few days, let the passion return.
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Consistency – A 7th Characteristic of Trust Building (Everyone can do this)
Hi Dave,
Hey, it’s great to see you surface from your nose-to-the-grindstone work load. I could ascertain from following your blog that you’ve been pretty busy. Stay well rested, mate!
Go chill, be, and enjoy. I’m sure it’s time.
Passion for all, I say!
Hey Lori – I love narrative non-fiction too. And February did indeed ignite a new passion for me: dream pattern analysis. Very unexpected, just quietly wriggling its way into my life, as passions often do. And then, Whoa. Know what I mean?
Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..Please, Bore Me!
Hi Patty,
I don’t know exactly why, but I had a feeling you like this genre of books, too. Very cool!
And it’s very awesome that you’ve discovered something new; isn’t a wriggling passion fun? It reminds me how my pet (dog) used to wriggle into my arms to get attention. It worked, that’s for sure. I just couldn’t resist.
Have fun with dream pattern analysis — I’m looking forward to hearing more about it.
Lori,
I can’t wait to read “The Cactus Eaters!” And I don’t know if I’m aware of a better writer today than Writer Dad. I’ve been a silent reader from his start. He has a gift that doesn’t quit!
My February passion…spending time with a niece visiting from MI. Writing in my journal. Running more and thinking about a race. Celebrating my birthday. I have to say I’m passionate about ordinary things mostly. Isn’t life grand?
Hi Tess,
Yes, you have to read that book — it’s really funny, poignant (when he writes about his girlfriend’s and his relationship) and also a physical adventure. Right up your alley with hiking, activity, and great story telling.
Thanks for sharing your passions, too. Races are fun — go for it! I’m so glad I ran all the races I ran when I could; they bring to me many great memories.
I find that I agree with you regarding passion for the ordinary things. That says a lot about you, Tess, and it’s just LOVELY!
Enjoy the grand life. I will as well.
Hi Lori! Passion – wow. I am passionate about so many things, and the list (should I dare to attempt one) would be almost too diverse to contemplate – new things being added all the time because I love to try new things and discover things – that alone is a passion of mine. Learning is a passion – be it through books, physical challenges or experiemental trying something. Lately I have been immersed in food. Not eating it but learning about it. I shared on my blog the horrific state of the food in a typical grocery store. Getting into organics and a diet rich in REAL food jolted me into a new-found passion for cooking, for instance. I’ve been told I’m a very passionate person – I won’t disagree. I’m passionate about living!
hugs
suZen
suzen´s last blog ..Lies, Distortion, Supression & Greed vs. The Truth
Hi Suzen,
It seems like passion is quite a buzz word in the ‘intersphere’ lately — but I think it’s good to think about so I jumped on the ship.
I saw your writing about the food industry, and you know how I feel about it. Good for you, Suzen, keep up the great work! I’m behind you 100%.
I have, as well as you, found a renewed passion for cooking. I stopped cooking as much when I was working 5,000 hours a week in the corporate world/biotech/laboratory (OK, maybe not 5,000 but it sure felt like it!). I felt like I cooked all day (at the lab bench) so I didn’t much want to cook when I came home. Now, I’ve been cooking a lot more and it is just so renewing and lovely, not to mention healthy. (I’ll never tire of watching the magic of egg whites denaturing in the pan.)
Suzen, your passion flows though everything you do, I can see it in every comment and every post. I think you are absolutely amazing and a beautiful soul.
Yay for living like you mean it!
HI Lori Luv,
Big hug to you and all your friends who are finding passion in everyday life.
What an awesome full of passion post! Yay passion!
Am taking your book suggestions very seriously…and am surely going to pick them up on my next visit tot he book store. lets hope these titles have released here in India
And seeing the passion in other people..now that super! I love how you have managed to see passion in the little things….which are actually pretty big
What a passionate post…wow!
Much Love,
Z~
Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..Passion Is… {RAOKA}
Hey Zeenat,
Loved your passion post! You’re such a doll!
Big hug back to you, Zeenat. Thanks for being such a power for love and goodness in this world.
Yay for passion!
How could I not leave a comment on a post about passion?
It is the lifeblood that carries oxygen to our writing, it is the fuel that propels us to stretch the very limits of human endurance.
It may not always be easy to find, but when we do, we can move mountains!
George
George Angus´s last blog ..Read An E-Book Week
Thanks, George!
I couldn’t agree more.
You’ve distilled my rambling post into the essence of passion into a few sentences — that’s why I think you’re the bomb, George!
Thanks for visiting here and for being a such a beacon of light to fellow writers. Thumb up!
Hi Lori,
I’ve always heard that when we think good thoughts about ourselves and the others in our lives, good things happen not only to us, but to others as well. How wonderful to be in the company of people who wish you well and send loving thoughts your way. PASSION! Delicious! I love all the examples of passion and play and delight happening all around you.
Cheryl from thatgirlisfunny´s last blog ..passion and fascination – two essential ingredients for RAOKA
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for visiting and for adding your RAOKA post to the pool — I added your link to my post, too.
Thanks for enjoying this journey with us and also for spreading the good vibes.
And, yes, what a word: delicious!
Keep rocking the web, Cheryl.