Are you still in Newport. As it did with many others on here this article struck a chord. I live in Newport and would like to take you out for some drinks/conversation! How do I get in touch with you?

I have been struggling for months to try and find an engineering job around Burlington. Nothing has panned out and I have to wonder if it’s because I don’t really want to find something. If my heart isn’t in it, then the arms of the world won’t be open to me, so to speak.

I’ve been lucky enough over the years to be able to try a number of passions. I spent a few years working as a mechanic, even moving to CA to go to Wyotech. I have been doing competitive ballroom dancing for the past three years and recently I have gotten into photography.

Much like Paul said, it can be quite difficult to turn a passion into a career. I actually have two small business, one for teaching ballroom dancing and the other to sell photographs. These are more fulfilling to me than any engineering job I have ever heard of, but they certainly aren’t keeping a roof over my head. It’s a shame that it is so difficult for people to pursue that about which they are passionate.

Regardless of this, I loved this article. I will come back to it, many times I’m sure, whenever I feel as though I have drifted off course. I think this is a wonderful forum and I thank all of you for your comments and wish you all the best of luck!

For one thing, it can be difficult to know what your passion is. Examining my life, right now the things I like to do best are reading and writing, video games, and studying Japanese. But I’m not sure if any of those are things I’d want to do for a living or if they’re just hobbies…

Second, even if one pinpoints one’s passion, it may not be an attainable career. There are plenty of aspiring artists, musicians, and writers out there working as waiters, because they’re not easy jobs to become successful at. As much as I like the idea of doing what you love, one also must eat.

@ Callum: I just turned 30 this September and am still searching for that path in life that will take me where I want to go. I’ve gone to film school (got my BA), worked in the dive industry, as a Crossfit coach, Nightclub security and God knows what else. I hold down three jobs just to survive in a town, so beautiful it breeds complacency, and I need to shake myself free.

I suppose I suffer from the fear our generation has of ‘working without a safety net’. Reading the many articles on here of all the great men, willing to risk it all when it was required, have been very inspiring to me.

My plan is to go to Grad School for a degree in Nursing, possibly my PhD, and tie it in with remote and expedition medicine. Like you and like Bruce, all I ever wanted to do was see as much of the world as I can before I die. To do that and provide a much needed skill for those who don’t have access to good medical care is a calling worth heeding in my opinion.

I guess what I mean to say is, take heart in your passions, don’t waste your time at Wal-Mart, I’ve spent to many years doing the same thing. Do some research, take a leap when it feels right and don’t be afraid of failure. We fail so that we may learn to succeed.

I wish you adventure and success.

I used to think that not knowing my passion was a problem. My perspective is shifting to the journey. I’m realizing that the pursuit of my passion is an exciting adventure. Simply trying new things and reading different subjects opens up new options you didn’t even realize were out there. I find new blogs, books and people all the time. I started thinking of my confusion about what I want to be as a positive curiosity toward life. Note: During your journey, try not to think about consumption and material possessions. They will distract you from finding fulfillment in what you do. Now I just need to take my own advice.

Thanks for the inspiration.