Comments on: Spare Change: Missing Person Edition

By: Marinda+S

Marinda+S — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:43:22 +0000

Thanks for making me feel better today. My kids are both in jobs they love, making enough to support themselves and travel and enjoy some evening out with friends.

But one of them had to learn the hard way, her first degree was in history and she has never used it professionally. She had to start in retail and is now in banking and working towards an accounting degree. During her college years, all she heard from her grandparents was “it doesn’t matter what you do as long as you are happy.” But it took a sit down and talking to by me, six months after graduation to get her out of the “I should be happy, that’s all that counts” frame of mind. She pursued her dream and it didn’t work out, so she found another. But it took five years to get into the track of creating her happiness on and off the job. Grandma still repeats it and we still sit the kids down after they hear it and let them know that their drive and desire for happiness can be hard work, but rewarding.

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By: CincyCat

CincyCat — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:05:41 +0000

So sad to read about the missing cyclist, Mark. I pray for peace for his family, and that he is found. It could be that he is a “John Doe” in a hospital somewhere, but I’m sure they have thought of that already…

That said, one of the biggest misconceptions about “following your passion” to me is the one that basically says you can live on it. Some of us find a great deal of personal fulfillment in following a passion that involves volunteerism, or other non-paying activity. Sometimes it’s OK for a job to just be a job, and you find a passion elsewhere. Just a thought…

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By: Linear Girl

Linear Girl — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:45:34 +0000

I have a slightly different view on following your passion. Often people who say they want to follow their passion don’t want to do the hard work that allows them to eventually achieve their goals. The people I know who are passionate about what they do have spent years working through both good and bad jobs in order to get to a level where the rewards, both financial and otherwise, are truly satisfying. They wake up in the morning excited about what they’ll do that day. They don’t love every minute of every day – sometimes they’re stressed, sometimes they have bad bosses, sometimes it’s a day of paperwork and it’s a regular boring day.

For the record, I’m talking about an aircraft mechanic (started by stripping paint off of airplanes and now has his own business taking care of coporate jets); a head carpenter on traveling musical theater (this is a top job, but she started out working all of the local venues as day labor); a Director of Corporate Giving (he gives away other people’s money and coordinates emergency services and goods for people who need them, started with small foundations and worked up); and an elementary school teacher (the English lit major who loves sharing the joy of reading with her kids, started with substitute teaching).

I don’t think it’s irresponsible to suggest people follow their passions, only to suggest that the success comes magically from the passion. It doesn’t. The success comes from the hard work and planning, the enjoyment of that work comes from the passion.

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By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:52:44 +0000

Oh hey! Thanks for linking to us. Today’s post on teaching tactics is a bit dull unless you’re into teaching (though I think it’s fantastic), but tomorrow’s post is on relationship lessons we have learned, so that should be exciting and well worth commenting on.

I hope folks find Mark Bosworth.

We agree with consumerism commentary on passion: http://nicoleandmaggie.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/the-whether-or-not-to-follow-your-dreams-post/

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By: Jenn

Jenn — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:37:46 +0000

Thanks for the shout out to Mark. Like the majority of Portlanders, my family has ties to his. Thank you for using your “bully pulpit” to spread the word; he could be anywhere right now.

Thank you, JD. GRS readers, PLEASE keep an eye out for Mark.

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By: CNM

CNM — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:37:35 +0000

I agree with David, #2. Yes, following your passion certainly is, in many cases, a luxury. I even think it borders on irresponsibility to encourage someone to blindly follow one’s passion; I cannot even begin to count the number of English literature majors who are passionate about English literature but cannot find a job outside of clerical work. There has to be a balance struck between gainful employment and a person’s interests. If you’re lucky enough to have a “passion” that is both enjoyable and profitable, kudos. But in my experience, that is rare.

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By: El Nerdo

El Nerdo — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:31:36 +0000

Damn, this is very sad– my best to Mark, his family and friends.

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By: David

David — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:00:17 +0000

Ugh, I really wish the perpetual myth of “follow your passion and happiness will come!” would hurry up and die. Unfortunately we have a plethora of bloggers and “life coaches” who spread it like a STD—and leave as much suffering in their wakes.

Instead of rehashing the reasons, I’ll link to a blogger who does a pretty good job of dispelling the myth:

http://calnewport.com/blog/2010/01/23/beyond-passion-the-science-of-loving-what-you-do/

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By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:50:48 +0000

J.D. – really sad news about Mark Bosworth, I saw that in the paper, and many of my coworkers ride Cycle Oregon every year. Thoughts and prayers to him and his family that he will be found safe.

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