This is another excerpt from 50 things that really matter.

My father wore suits and ties for 30 years. But his hands were, and are, those of an artist. They transform marble into sculpture, coax herbs and vegetables from the earth, and cook meals that would bring tears to your eyes. Everything he touches turns to art.

Not everyone can have talented hands like his. But we each harbor the same ability to be passionate about our lives.

All we have to do is search our hearts for our special passion.

Passion satisfies a vital spiritual need: the need for connection. It’s the feeling we get when we’re in tune with something larger than ourselves. Passion makes us feel alive, makes us certain that we walk this planet for some purpose.

Opportunities to experience passion are everywhere. Sometimes they’re quiet, like growing prizewinning tomatoes or creating beauty and delight with a sewing needle, gardening spade, or mixing bowl. Sometimes they speak ringingly and draw is to our faith, a social cause, or civic involvement.

Like a battery powers a car, passion powers our souls. Without it, our hearts go hungry.

My father doesn’t talk about his passion. His hands do. Each chisel-cut knuckle and earth-grimed nail says: To find your passion, open your heart and let the world flood in.
By Julia VanTine, 50 things that really matter, Rodale Press for Hallmark

We  all have a dream, sometimes a secret dream. That’s your passion. It’s not necessarily what you do, it’s what you really want to do. It’s what you enjoy doing.

We’ve all been through it. We’re “forced” to do something else to pay the bills or put our passion on the back burner to allow someone else follow their dream. So, there it sits.

It doesn’t have to. Like Julia’s Dad, he works in his passions — sculpting, gardening and cooking — into his life. What she doesn’t say, but implies, is those passions carry him through the suit-and-tie days.

Karen’s lifelong passion was cooking. Without a day of formal training, she was able to plate breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks that would rival five-star chefs. She wasn’t afraid to experiment in the kitchen.

She never thought of herself as a writer or editor, but would up being an award-winning editor for a food page in Illinois. It was her idea to begin the page, involve readers and execute Sugar & Spice. That experience led her to printing a local Christian magazine, Manna {notice the connection to food}.

The point is she parlayed her passion into purpose.

Sometimes you’re fortunate enough to actually work in the field where you have your passion. I have that. I enjoy writing {and I hope you enjoy reading what I write}. I enjoy the newspaper business, new each day. I’ve covered presidents and other political leaders, bishops and cardinals, professional athletes and everyday people. I’ve been to the White House, the National Cathedral, Yankee Stadium and the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. I have been blessed.

As I approach the next season of my life, my passion is to continue writing and, perhaps, share my experiences with others as a guest speaker. That would incorporate another passion of mine … traveling. We’ll see.

Open your heart and let the world flood in to fan that passion in your heart and soul.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Failure is the path of least persistence.