Chasing Passion
63
Take My Breath Away
A life without passion is a life wasted. Life is not simply a matter of how many breaths you have .....it's about the moments that take your breath away. So many people go through their lives just making the motions of living, without ever taking the time to really slow down and feel alive. Most of us are guilty of living in the fast lane most of the time, and it's almost an oxymoron because the faster we live the less time we take to enjoy the lives we have. I spend so much time makling the money I need to buy the things that I think are going to make my life more enjoyable that I never seem to be able to find the time to enjoy the things I have worked so hard to get.
There are times that I think poor people are the happiest people in the world. They don't seem to have a lot of things, but seem to be able to enjoy themselves to the max. One of my favorite sayings is that you don't own things, things own you. The more keys I have on my keyring means I have more things to take care of. Some days I just want to give it all away and live a simple life.
Slow Down and Live
I recently bought a smoker grill which uses charcoal to slowly smoke and cook food to perfection. After a couple of hours of assembly I was able to use my newly purchased charcoal stack to start the charcoal and begin my slow cooking experience. I went inside and made myself a good stiff rum drink and sat down to watch over the cooking experience. It was a warm spring night, the stars were bright, some of my favorite tunes were playing and it was about at the bottom of that first drink that I had an epiphany. SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY LIFE!! I realized then and there that I was truly happy just sitting there and taking the time to enjoy my drink, my music, and the time that I was taking to prepare a truly great meal.......SLOWLY!!
This was an alcohol induced epiphany but I made a mental note and vowed to remember it the next day, and maybe write a hub about it. It was something that I have known all my life, but I have a tendency to get caught up in the fast lane chasing the brass ring, and forgetting what's important in life. Now we all have a need for the essentials in life.....food....shelter.....love. But is having all the toys and not having the time to enjoy them really worth it?
PASSIONS and the Time to Enjoy Them
I know far too many people who live their lives without passion. I'm not necessarily talking about passion in the bedroom, although that is an extremely important one. I mean a passion for anything that you truly love....with a passion. If you can't think of one right now....then you may be one of those people. I love sailing.....no not just like or enjoy it....I truly love sailing and the feeling of traveling about on the water without polluting the environment, the feel of the wind on my face, the power of the helm in my hand, the music playing, the sunsets on the water in port or out on the ocean, and did I mention sitting in the cockpit at night watching the stars and having a drink of rum.
I love coffee, food, treasure hunting, gold prospecting, talking to friends, writing, and most of all I Love great sex. What I realized while I was sitting on my deck that night was that I'm not taking the time to indulge my passions, and that is making R. Blue a dull boy. The missing link in my equation of happiness is time.
Slow Hand
Taking Time
I love coffee.....but not just any coffee. Starbucks is nice, but I make a much better cup of coffee myself....when I have the time. I roast my own beans, grind them, and make my coffee in a French press. I love a great rack of ribs cooked slowly....but not most fast foods. I've noticed that the amount of time spent preparing most meals is proportional to the quality of the meal.....time factor again. I love sitting in a stream in the middle of nowhere with a gold pan chasing the glitter of gold in the bottom of the pan..... a very time consuming hobby and the enjoyment of which is far more rewarding than the amount of gold that I find. Writing is something I love to do, and the more time I spend on a piece the more rewarding the result.
Finally I offer the indisputable evidence to my theory. Making Love is best done slowly and surely. It's not the quick attainment of the goal that is important.....it's the journey and all of the discoveries along the way that makes for the best lovemaking. Now I know you're thinking..."there's nothing wrong with a quickie".....and you're absolutely right.....but for true enjoyment, there's nothing like taking an entire afternoon and slowly exploring every inch of your partner......over and over again.
Thanks Candie...I mean this hub from the heart. Take time and enjoy the things you love.
I couldn't agree more! Nice hub, R.Blue!
Thanks KCC.....I imagine you taking lots of time with that 14 hooker.
I'm now poor and still stuck living in the fast lane. It was somewhat worth it when the economy wasn't so bad, when I had a better job. BBQ's were a little more than hot dogs.
John...you may consider yourself poor in the monetary sense.....but I see what a rich guy you really are.....beautiful kids.....and a talent that many would sell their souls to have. My point is to take the time and enjoy and appreciate the things you love.....kids grow up so fast....believe me.
Cool....I can't wait to slow down! Just kidding! It takes time to enjoy life. Thanks! :)
I 'm thinking retirement might finally give me the time to chase my passions Tom
well Blue, I wish I could, but I am stuck in LA, not too many jobs out there right now for guys in construction, I have to sit on the freeway all day everyday, its not much of a fast lane, really as much as it is a life, always on the go.
Stick with it GT....I believe your way out may be right in front of you. My business was hit hard by the recession, but I believe it's starting to get better.
I see some signs in the public works sector, but not much yet in the private side of things. People are still worried or waiting for the bottom.
Yeah, 14 hooks takes a while on both ends (off and on). LOL
"The lazy sway of the trees""Easy touch""Blanket of stars"...Yum.....
Pay yourself first and do plan for retirement...cause it comes way sooner then you will be ready for it...and takes some getting used to also...but am I enjoying it nowww..yaaaaa:O) Hugs
Lovely hub, thanks. Easing into retirement and still feeling a ittle lost about not having to rush off somewhere each morning, I'm sure I'll get used to it!
My friend told me to look you up. I like what I read. I'm new to this.
More power to your passions RB, and may you slow down long enough to enjoy them! :)
Well this has reminded me to chill out a bit more - so, we're all coming over to your boat, yeah?
Mate welcome to my world. ;-)
So, get the ketch, sail it. Have a friend house sit, (look after the pets.)
Saving for a big tombstone eventually gives the pigeons something more to white-wash. Little else.
The kids are brighter than you, they can look after themselves.
Cheers.
GT....this too shall pass...and you'll be there with your skills ready to get on with it. That's one thing they can't take away from us....our skills and knowledge.
KCC....yep....almost a full time job.
G-Ma....I've been planning for it and I'm ready. I've tried it for short periods and know I can definitely handle it. Good having you stop by.
Gypsy Willow.....find your passions and you will never have enough time...even in retirement.
Gypsy lyric.....must be my day for Gypsies.....thanks for stopping by....I'll get by and check you out as well. Welcome to the Hub.
FP.....thanks for the wishes....if only!!!
Iph....nothing like my boat to chill me out...I can step aboard and all my troubles immediately melt away.....and by all means come join me.....nothin like a boat party!!!
Ag.... you mean you're already retired??
TOF.....All good advice. I told my parents the same thing......spend it all....I'll make my own. Can't take it with you....never seen a hearse with luggage racks!!!!
Mate living the dream ! (mine)
Ag.... you probably can't tell.....but I'm turning Green with envy!! Enjoy it to the max!!
No your color looks pretty normal but from the picture you look like you just might be nursing an ulcer. lol.
And the alcohol doesn't help......wait.....yes it does!!!
Hmm, I'ts none of my business but yes I used to think that way myself ! ( sorry, *jump* ok I'm off the soap box now )
Sorry Ag...some things are not negotiable.....and besides I seldom drink despite any impression I may have given......all things in moderation.....except sex!!!
Now with that I am in total agreement with you. ;-)
I thought I might get an "AMEN" from you on that :-)
The music video is a nice touch, just sat back,relaxed and listened it through...AMEN...
So true R., passion need not be a grand thing. It could be the scent of a flower or the sound of rain. Thanks for this reminder. :D
Thanks Hawkesdream...it was the song that came to mind when I was writing this.
Cris....you get an "A" The thing is to be passionate about things....and take the time to savor them.....otherwise they are just things without a lot of meaning and value.
This is a great read R. Blue, and well said. I followed your advise last year as you may have read from my profile. "We only have one, and this ain't no rehearsal"
You me and Conway Twitty with a slow hand. I have passion for a lot of things. We 2 are much alike I'd say. I love penguins on the briny sand with krill and wine.
gee Blue I am sorry I never realised you had a new Hub. I really liked this one, this kind of style really suits you too, you had heaps good points too, gee life goes by so quick, doesn't it..
Trooper.....Keep on keepin on....and slow down and enjoy!
ralwus...yep...slow hand for sure....it ain't no race!!!!
BP....so glad you stopped by......thought you didn't love me no more :-( LOL
ralwus.....I just woke up....not a nice trick to pull on a guy before he's had his coffee.....hehehehe......so very glad to have you back!!!!
haha, I wondered. Not really a trick but I'm glad to see ya again. LOL Now fer sum fun huh?
You got it Charlie!!!! we'll woo all the fair maidens. We've got a lot of competition from badcompany though....he's a good egg though....we're like the three musketeers. All for one....One for all. but for now...it's off to work...catch you all later.
Yeah, good advice. I quit the rat race in 1997 and went for the slower option. There is the opportunity for allot more flower smelling.
I loved this. You are so right....Slowing down and enjoying life happening around you is better. Although I cannot say being poor is happier. You are more apt to stress over bills and how to get them paid. But the concept of living more SIMPLE is better...less stress, less worries. And yes...making love slow is good...better orgasms too! =)
Jewels.....just hope you smell the roses and don't get pricked by the thorns.
Pachuca......Here's to better orgasms!!! Welcome back JJ
Well Blue, things are lookin' better. I think I can chill properly at the beach this summer.
Wooo Hoooo John.....I told you things would get better....BTW...this is my favorite avatar of yours.
yeah, I'm kind of fond of it too.
and thanks for the words.
I had been thinking about them over the week.
John......I wish you all the best. I only wish you could make a substantial income from your writing....Myself and everyone else here thinks you're really talented.....you should look for more writing opportunities that pay. I write a monthly magazine column for a national trade mag and it pays me $400 per article. With a full time job it's hard to look for other paying gigs writing....but when I retire I can think of nothing I'd like better. With your talent you should be able to pick up a paying gig somewhere.
Thanks Blue- I think further down the line, this "dream" will be pursued. I also think the benefits of the new job is the stress factor which will free me and not leave me as a shell with nothing to give at the end of the day. Which means I can read and write with a greater vengeance!
John....I'm not convinced the new job is going to improve your writing...I think some of your rants against your job are absolutely inspired by your misery...LOL...Maybe contentment will dull the rage. But it will soothe your soul and make home life a lot better.
You're right, even roses have aphids.
Jewels....we just gotta ignore the aphids and thorns if we can....and enjoy the beauty and fragrance.
Getting soft in my old age BC
R Blue, I love how you wrote this! There are many things you mention that I haven't done in a while (like sailing) that have brought me enjoyment in the past. Thanks for the reminder of how life should be! :D
Hey K@ri I hope you will take my advice and take some time for yourself...smell some flowers...look up at the stars...and go sailing.....feel the wind on your face.
Time waits for nobody. I've seen too many people wait for retirement to finally enjoy life, only to find out they have a disease and they seem to die shortly after finding out. My grandfather and a few uncles did just that, and died within a year of their retirement. As you may know, I lost my hubby when he was 36, so there went my dream of retiring to an island sipping drinks as we watched the sunset. True, I can still have the dream, but it isn't quite the same without my lost true love.
Very nice hub, thanks for sharing.
Trish....my best friend died 2 years ago at 50.....woke me up....life is short indeed....have to do the things you want to do now before we're too old or too dead to do them.
hi R. Blue,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Why is it when we are personally affected by death that we then take the time to consider our own mortality? Then, in a relatively short time, we forget what we went through, or, at the very least, put it in the recesses of our mind. Human nature I guess, and we carry on. There's a lot of truth to the saying live each day like it's your last. And there is the irony, we still think death or serious illness won't strike us, because, in our warped thinking, it happens to others. A mystery, for sure.
That's it in a nutshell Trish
Maybe Blue, Its takes rum or a goblet of wine to make our brains slow down enough to notice that life is going by. Once slowed, we will see not just the fire but each individual flame.
Excellent point RB....it was after sitting to drink my rum that I had my epiphany......that does it.....I'm drinking more!!! Gotta love those individual flames.
My, My how you speak the truth as personally I would prefer that it last forever, but we can only wish. Could you imagine, forever? I wonder who would pass out in exhaustion first? Another good one. :)
Thanks AE....it wouldn't matter....but taking time and enjoying it to the fullest....now that would be fun.
Thanks Art... I may have to agree with you....at least it's a heart felt sentiment.
Totally agree with you, "life without passion is a life wasted", what's the point in just existing? life must be enjoyed every minute. I know people who don't want to be passionate about anything especially love for fear to suffer afterwards, but I believe that they don't know what they are missing, because even the hardest moments are worth it if you have the passion to sail them.
You're preaching to the Choir Princessa. I'd rather be passionate about only a few things than live a bland life without passion.
great job man ! i just think tht its one of the hub tht everyone should read.
i also liked this line " you don't own things, things own you" its absolutely correct.
cheers !
Thanks Shiva....that's somethinf I figured out a long time ago....we become slaves to the things that we think we own.
Hey thanks for the truth i got a passion and still chase it
Always go after your passion.....let nothing stand in your way. Thanks for stopping by.
You have my undivided attention!
I love your hubs and shall continue to read them. Thanks.
My pleasure.....thanks.
Blue, blue, blue- where are you??? Love the hub.
I'm around. Always available....just ask.
Hello stranger. I have been gone way too long. I can't believe I am just reading this. I think I love you, will you run away with me? Great read! THANKS!
Run away???? Hmmmm......sounds great! When? Where??
Candie V Level 4 Commenter 3 years ago
Thank you for the wonderful reminder! Here's to life in the slow lane! Cheers!