Life's Too Short to Replace Your Passions

This morning, I woke up to the snow storm that I swore was overhyped as a result of Cincinnatians not having dealt with the blizzards I was so used to surviving in Cleveland. Yet, as I headed out of the house, hoping to be early (for once) to my volleyball tournament, I realized I had no idea where my driveway began. Or where the street ended, and the cornfields began. My day quickly became one in which I had no obligations. The tournament was canceled, and most safe drivers stayed indoors. But I decided to brave the roads (which were worse than Cleveland's), on a mission to find a mission for the day.

I drove aimlessly at first, parking in the half-plowed lot of my favorite hometown coffee shop. My thought was to go in and work for an hour, before heading to church. But instead, I turned up the volume of my go-to playlist and reclined in the seat, determined to sleep a little more, but unable to turn my mind off. Thoughts of working out crossed my mind, immediately replaced by visions of Cheesecake Factory and the Celebration Cheesecake I was craving. (At the time of writing this, for reference, I HAVE worked off the Cheesecake I ended up eating).

With closed eyes, I found myself paying close attention to the lyrics of my new favorite song, "I Can't Get Over You" by Rob Baird. It's a song I've listened to on repeat at LEAST twenty times in the last two days. I think mostly because I just discovered Rob Baird, and feel his words so deep down, in a place I don't let myself go very often. "The seasons pass, but they never change. A broken heart can't keep time." God, so good. And so true. More to come here.

The longer I sat there in my car, searching for a meaning to my day, the more I realized that all I really wanted to do was write. The desire was burning inside of me, somewhere deep down - the same way the song lyrics were. In the calm that I finally slowed down to feel, the need to put words to paper was overwhelming. You see, writing has always been a passion of mine, but one that I've recently ignored; or more accurately, replaced. I've found myself replacing it with social media, and work, and activities that keep me busy. I've replaced it with dates, and volleyball and roadtrips and Netflix. I've replaced it with drinks on Saturday nights, and spinning on Tuesday mornings.

But life is too short to replace your passions with activities that just fill up time. It's too short NOT to do what you love, in favor of doing what other people love - or want you to do.

The Crossroads service I attended right after my parking lot excursion this morning validated this idea. The message at church today focused on the importance of mental strength, and having intention behind the things you do and the thoughts you think. To me, writing is a way to express thoughts and filter feelings. It helps me stay centered - focused on the things that matter in life. Things that are real, and raw, and good.

So, I've committed to writing something weekly - starting today through the rest of this year, at least. Topics will change, and personal experiences will serve as influence. But one thing will stay the same - and that's a commitment to capturing the specific moments in life that help define my views on life, so that I can one day look back and remember exactly how I became who I will become.

I am so looking forward to this journey, and hope you'll follow me on it!