I met Steve close to ten years ago in my old hometown of Akron, Ohio. I learned pretty quickly that Steve is an extremely gifted poet, but I also got the privilege to learn what a kind and smart person he is, so bonus! Steve embodies passion to me because he has been committed to publishing a poem every single day to his Facebook page. To me, that is living out your passion. Here are Steve’s answers to my questions.
1. How do you define “passion”?
Something that moves you to action. that isn’t necessarily be a positive action; plenty of people act with passion to their own detriment (and society’s).
2. What is your passion?
My wife, my life, my family, my writing, baseball, my job. For the purpose of this discussion, we’ll limit that to writing.
3. How did you know that this was a passion and not just a passing interest?
I knew it was a passion when I tried giving it up for about five years and it wouldn’t let me. I was dormant and not real productive during that time, but the bug was always there. I’m writing now (every day), so it came back at me with a vengeance.
4. How do you make sure you follow your passion and nurture it?
I set aside time. We have 1440 minutes a day. setting aside 60 for something that is important doesn’t seem like that great of a sacrifice, but it can be. You have to gift 60 to yourself (#gift60 is my one-person movement)
5. What is your advice to other people who are trying to find or follow their passion?
You give time to everyone you know. for want of money, for want of love, for want of quiet. give time to yourself for what moves you.
6. Anything else you want to say?
Let yourself be moved.