DEBORAH CORRAO / L’Observateur / May 2, 1999

In my line of work I get to meet a lot of interesting people.

I wouldn’t like to write feature stories so much if some part of me didn’t feel that everyone I encounter has an interesting story to tell if I am willing to listen and ask the right questions.

To me, the most fascinating people are the ones who are passionate.

Although some of them may find their passion in their life’s work, others merely work to support their passion. It doesn’t matter.Some of them may achieve material success at what they do, but material wealth is rarely the motivation for their success.

I’m talking about people like you and me who have gone above and beyond the demands of everyday life to embrace something that not only brings gratification but brings joy into the lives of the other people they touch.

People who have taken raw talent and molded it into a gift that is their’s and their’s alone.

Teachers who spend that extra time to introduce their classes to new concepts with unique and creative activities.

The woman next door who spends her free time volunteering in a community service organization or singing in the church choir.

The man who hangs out for hours at a workbench in the garage with a carving knife and a piece of wood.

One common factor running through their lives seems to be an abundance of creative energy and a willingness to put forth their best efforts in everything they do.

The older I get the more I realize how much we need that something extra in our lives that takes us beyond ourselves, if only briefly, and opens us to a myriad of new horizons.

How I pity the person who sits in front of a television all day living vicariously through the lives of two-dimensional characters.

We have to be “out there” to be open to the new opportunities and challenges that life affords us. We have to be fully engaged in the worldaround us.

If we ignore these opportunities, we surrender our birthright as human beings to be all that we can be.

I believe, that by virtue of having the privilege to be living on this planet, we have an obligation not only to make a contribution to society as a whole but also to find a deep fulfillment in our personal lives.

And no matter where our paths take us, the way we find fulfillment is to follow our hearts.

By following the heart I don’t mean that we make ourselves slaves to every selfish diversion along our path, but that we must live our lives so as to experience contentment on a deeper level.

That contentment fills our souls with a song that only we can sing.

Those of you who have found that place know what I am talking about. Tothose of you who are still searching, listen to the quiet voice that beckons from deep inside your soul and tugs at your heartstrings. If you keep yourear tuned to the voice, your eyes on the path and let your heart be your guide, you’ll discover your passion.

My challenge to you is to embrace it. Refine it. Find joy in it and share itwith others.Back to Top

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