Choosing in Favor of Your Passions

 

The second I read that quote it stuck with me, and opened my eyes up to a few things that have been on my mind lately. Life is all about making decisions and the inner battle we have with ourselves over choosing what’s right or wrong. Yet, we never really know if the path we choose is the correct one until we start to see the things we wanted {or don’t want} unfold before our eyes in ways we least expected. This is what’s been going on in my head for the past week or so.

I’ve been given the chance to make a life changing decision, a move, one of the goals I’ve set for myself. On the other hand, an opportunity that I already experienced has come back into my life, but this time with more potential and growth. Moving to another state is not a simple decision, like choosing between drinking water or tea, but it is what I envision for my life…to have a fresh start with a close friend, live amongst beautiful nature and not sky scrapers, to enjoy the great outdoors, to experience new things and travel. When I think about it I get excited and hopeful, but then the wisp of guilt comes over me because this decision doesn’t necessarily have the support from certain people, and a slight fear of leaving behind everything I’ve known.

I left my other choice about a month ago because I felt that it just wasn’t the career I wanted for myself anymore, yes I loved weddings and planning events but I lost my confidence in my creativity. I was convinced I wanted to get into non-profit events and start catering desserts once more. Well, my day yesterday consisted of walking the streets of Montclair seeing many beautiful things with my friend Lisa, and she made me realize that sometimes we just need to step back for a while to realize what we really want in life. She was right, I did love working there and the environment that surrounded me and I still love everything about weddings and planning events. But I definitely want to do non-profit work, it’s what makes my heart feel good, and the love and passion for baking has come back into my life. Not choosing to move means staying in the same place, not enjoying the area where I live, still far from friends, and even though I’ll be enjoying what I’m doing, I can’t help shake off the feeling of being “stuck.”

Earlier this summer I mentioned that I embarked on The Passion Test, where one finds what their purpose in life is. The most important mantra of the book is, “Whenever you are faced with a choice, a decision, or an opportunity choose in favor of your passions.” Looking back at my list of passions I created and all the things I envisioned for my life, I began to see that it can all happen. They say if you put it out in the universe it will come your way, but you also have to do a little work and not sit around waiting for things to just happen. Reading about Elaina Vazquez of Boutique Bites inspired and empowered me to know that I can still make wonderful desserts and plan events, I just have to get involved in things that will lead me in that direction. I wanted to share this with you because there are times when we are all faced with difficult decisions in our lives, and feel clueless as to what to do. We might feel the pressure from the outside world and ourselves but it’s important to step back, see things from all angles, and essentially choose in favor of your passions. I leave with you one last quote and a few pictures from my beautiful day.

“It takes courage to follow your own path. Surround yourself with people who support you in following your dreams. When you follow the path of your passions, you will find support coming from places you could never have imagined.”

 

{diana}