She Thinks she’s The Passionate One

Dear Diary: what should I write about today? It’s a quiet Sunday. I woke up at 11:30, ate breakfast, watched the last half of a movie I started last night, did some pushups/sit-ups and forms, sat down at my desk and contemplated what to do with my day. Ah! I haven’t made a journal entry yet! Ok let’s do that. Hmmmm, now what do I want to write about… (10 minutes pass) I know! I’ll read some other journal entries by my fellow black belts for inspiration. It’s now 2:30 and I have some random stuff I feel like putting down on paper.

First off, I’m going to start reading other peoples blogs more often. I mean wow! I just read a bunch of extremely powerful, personal and motivational journal entries. I admit I don’t read other peoples blogs very frequently but I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot. Good work everyone! Reading about other people’s struggles, ideas, life… whatever really, and the more personal it is the better it is, helps put my own life into perspective (I have no idea if I’m misusing commas). It can help you look at aspects of your life from a different angle.

I just did 50 pushups and sit-ups between paragraphs. Oh, and a rep of Kempo. (Why does spell check tell me to put a hyphen in sit-ups but not pushups?)

Secondly, before I read the blogs, I thought I might write about a conversation I had with someone last week. I met this person for coffee, we’d only met once before and fairly briefly. We had a good converstion, talked a bit about everything. At one point the conversation shifted to books because I asked about the one they had on the table. I mentioned the book list I’m working through, preceded to rattle off a bunch of books I really liked and ranted a bit about them. I did the same thing with movies later on. Whenever I find something I really like I tend to recommend or push it onto anyone willing to listen. Whether it’s the latest singer/songwriter I’ve fallen in love with (currently Martha Wainwright, formerly Emiliana Torrini and Fiona Apple before that) a movie, book, comic strip, game, anything high quality, I like to share it with people.

Afterwards this person mentioned that they were impressed and hadn’t met anyone who sounded so interested in things before. (Go me, now I feel silly mentioning it but it’s important to the rest of what I’m writing) This got me thinking about how everyone likes being around somebody impassioned by something. Doesn’t matter what their passionate about, there’s something spectacular about listening to someone talk about something they sincerely love. It gets you excited and lifts your spirits. I think it’s partly because, in this day and age of advertising bombardment, media is making it harder and harder to avoid mediocrity and fake passion (Are you EXCITED about the great deals at the Ford dealership?! I know I’m NOT!). So when someone speaks with pure truthfulness it’s a welcome break, you feel good because it’s such a rare sight.

(I’ve been ignoring my grumbling stomach but I can’t anymore so I’m going to go make soup and a sandwich, I’ll be right back)

Ahhh that was tasty. I also did 30 sit-ups and pushups while waiting for the soup to heat up.

Thirdly, having something to be passionate about is important. I think everyone needs to have some sort of hobby or activity that they love to do. People need more than work and television to live a good life. The most interesting, well balanced people I’ve met are people involved in something. Things like Kung Fu, gymnastics, painting, chess or knitting. (The Pixies song, “Where is my Mind” just randomed on my iTunes, man I love that song) If you are passionate about something share it with people around you. They’ll appreciate it (most of the time).

Anyways, I’m done raving so I think I’ll do some more pushups/sit-ups; use my elliptical machine and the call up some friends to see if they want to do something. It’s only 4:30 and the day is full of potential.