live passionately

During the last month, I’ve been passionate about these things:

• goal setting, development, and mutual encouragement, at 43things.
• photography: taking photos, posting on flickr.com, receiving praise, and finding inspiration at every turn.
• BLOGGING. It’s self-expression in a third way. My two BLOGS are keeping me writing creatively, and it’s FUN
• 43things has helped me focus and concentrate on the passions that are important to me. The ability to sort the goals in order (reordering) is very valuble.

My current problem is this: I’m living a fairly passionate life, but I’m neglecting things that are needed for balance. Things like, exercise, gardening, meditation, housekeeping, cooking, and more.
I’ve got to figure out how to maintain passion and balance at the same time.

Where does passion end and obsession begin?.

Watching TV (or drinking for that matter) is not a bad thing in and of itself. But almost anything done to the point that it dominates my live requires some close attention. Why am I doing it? There’s usually an unmet NEED. Often I use TV (or food, or computers) as a DRUG to numb myself from what’s going on. But trying to get myself to change is like trying to rip an old, crusty bone out the jaws of a dog. It’s much easier to throw down a juicy steak (e.g. an inspiring activity). Then the dog will DROP the bone, and go for the steak. What I mean is, I’m finding wonderful things to do that I can be passionate about, and I’m devoting less and less time to watch TV. Without really trying, the less valuable things drop away, as long as my focus is on wonderful things.

And most of the credit goes to:

• My blog, which has been a great way to journal publicly and a wonderfull way to practice writting effectively in small chunks.
• my flickr photo site, which constantly feeds my passion for both beauty and photography. It’s soooooo inspirational to see what others have captured around the world. And finally,
• 43things, which allows me to focus on where I want to go in life, and both give and receive encouragement from others.

Mine comes and goes. I get passionate about something new, and then move on. Then I get passionate about something else.

Or does the goal mean be passionate about being passionate? Even if temporarily you don’t feel passionate?