Laura Bennet – Author

“If you’re passionate about something, it overflows into how you make people feel….”

This quote by Sunny Good in the spring 2012 issue of Do It Yourself magazine caught my attention and begged the question, “What am I passionate about that overflows to others?”

I’m passionate about so many things… I’m a passionate person, period. But obviously, one of my greatest passions is writing.

I’ve worked hard on the opening pages of my current book, The Miracle of Us: Confessions of Two Online Daters, to create a piece that would compel people to want more. I long for them to feel hope, encouragement and the promise of something great for themselves as my story unfolds.  When I re-read the beginning, I wanted to read more! If I was uplifted by my own story, maybe others would be as well.

So why, with all this passion, is it so difficult to sit down and write??

Emails beg to be read, tasks scream for attention, the children need help, friends and family want to chat or hang out, the phone rings with another urgent situation or request  and soon it’s time to make dinner. I wonder what happened to the day and my night as I sit down to finish a barely begun blog post at 11 p.m.  Where’s the passion then? It wants to go to bed!

Next, it’s the question of whether I actually have something worthwhile to say. Do I like what I wrote because it’s mine, or because it truly offers a benefit for someone else? What exactly is overflowing to others in a way that inspires, encourages or incites to action? Perhaps it’s the idea that the amazing things that happen to one person can happen for someone else too; or maybe it’s simply relating to other authors regarding the difficulty of getting to writing and staying on task. I find it encouraging when I read the story of another person’s struggles and how they overcame obstacles; like when a passionate writer describing the challenges of writing.

Finally, like any endeavor, getting the job done takes perseverance that goes beyond passion. I love writing, but it’s hard work and takes commitment and concentration.  However, when I’ve managed to commit to paper something that I enjoy reading, I savor the satisfaction and pride I feel.  A well placed word or phrase that paints a picture captures a place in my heart that fulfills a longing. Do you feel the same?

What are you passionate about that overflows to others? Have you felt challenged to live out that passion? Share your worthwhile comments below!