The best job I ever had was working in the Parks and Rec department in the city of Norwalk, teaching classes and making art. When the Brea Gallery reached out to me to offer a soapmaking workshop, I jumped at the opportunity and it did not disappoint!
The class was held in the corner of the open gallery space, amidst the highly Instagramable Immersion exhibition #blessed
It took me right back to those happy park days and assured me that I was on the right path. I never got this kind of satisfaction at my office job, even though I kind of enjoyed my work.
There is a difference between being okay with what you do and getting excited to get to do what you do and I’m working on only committing to things that fire me up.
The passion spills over into everything and it makes the work engaging. I love making beautiful things and giving others space to express their creativity.
Instead of dropping off the finished soaps, I just had to go all out. I packaged them up, added each student’s name in calligraphy and wrote a thank you card. My joy is on full display.
Yesterday I came across something that I want to share with you, especially if you feel as passionless as I did locked in that cubicle.
What is made for you, will not pass you
We each have a gift to share with others and sometimes, we get distracted or forget and abandon our gifts. But we can’t avoid using them. Opportunities find us and open up a path for us to express our gifts and our joy again and again and again.
I thought my teaching and making art days were behind me, but I can’t seem to avoid it.
That’s one thing this experience taught me. There is something about living with passion that draws others to you like a beacon and they bring with them opportunities out of nowhere.
My brother goes to watch musicians make jarring noise that’s way past what others might consider music. He tells me that there is still a crowd, because people love seeing other people get out there in the open and believe in themselves. That’s why he goes.
Something about seeing others live their passion, even if it isn’t your passion, gives everyone else the permission to do the same.
I hope I’ve inspired my students to go beyond just making soap and take a chance on making something they’re really passionate about. It doesn’t have to be art. It can be noise.
It doesn’t matter what you make or if you’re any good. What matter is you use your gifts, especially the ones that make you feel complete. That’s where you’ll find your magic and joy.
For information about upcoming workshops, check out the soapmaking workshops page and sign up to be notified of upcoming workshops in your area.
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