WHICH IS IT?

WHICH IS IT?

Take a road trip with me and my husband and you will make two discoveries fairly quickly. There is a lot of talking - some serious and thought provoking, some mundane and sheer foolishness, and a lot of quietness for the conversation between self and the higher being. There is no music other than the tires brushing the pavement and the occasional clicking of the signal light switch indicating a change in lanes.

We were visiting a friend and the question was asked, “What is your hobby?” Now, you would think this long-time close friend would have known ours and us hers. We each answered and after I responded, our friend expressed surprise that I didn’t say, “writing.” I didn’t say it because in my heart I knew writing was more than a hobby.

On the trip home during one of the thought-provoking conversations, my husband, who had struggled to answer the question, asked for help identifying his hobby. Out of that conversation arose the question that I now pose to you – What’s the difference between a hobby and a passion?

I hope the definitions help you as much as they helped me. A hobby is considered a regular activity done for enjoyment usually during leisure time. A passion is a strong and barely controllable action or inclination toward a person or thing and can be enjoyable but may not be also. They can be the same but for most people, I believe they are not.

When questioned about my hobbies, I didn’t say writing because writing is not a regular activity that I do in my leisure time. Gardening, reading, and spending Sunday afternoon preparing Sunday Evening’s supper are my hobbies.

Writing is my passion. My work and purpose are writing. Writing is not reserved just for leisure time. When I am not writing, I think about it. I am bombarded with potential storylines constantly.

We eventually identified my husband’s passion, people – food – travel. We are still working on the identification of his hobbies but think one is watching reruns of Star Trek.

Why is the delineation important for those of us trying to live a balanced life? It helps to determine one’s focus. Hobbies bring pleasure. Pursuing our passions fuel our purposes. Both are important but it is important not to let either distract from the other.

Matthew 6:21

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---"The passionate pot boils.” Rumi