Price of Passion

Canada lost to Russia 5-4 yesterday in the World Championships in Quebec City. The game went to overtime and Russia scored in overtime. Canada was leading 4-2 going into the third period. This is called devastation for the Canadian players and fans. I was in Halifax for two of the games and know how passionate the players and their families and all the Hockey Canada staff are about their game. Plus the fans. Canadians love their hockey. My hubby was there the entire time and know he still has that morning-after sick feeling. But it's because he's so passionate about the game and about his job. Yeah, he works a ton of hours, but he does so because he loves his job and the crazy game of hockey. When people say things to me like "your husband is gone so much how do you stand it?" I say, "he loves what he does and how can that be a bad thing." He's here when he needs to be here. He has balance.
Now the thing is--when you're passionate about something you put yourself out there to be rejected. The Canadian players, coaches, management staff put themselves on the line.
And so do people in the arts!!!
I know about rejection too. I'm a writer. Yes, I've published eleven books to date but none of that guarantees me anything. I still get rejected. Over and over. But I can't stop writing and I certainly can't stop ideas and characters from entering into my thoughts. I still get excited when a new idea just mysteriously pops into my mind. And sometimes those crazy ideas end up being good ones and sometimes they don't or sometimes the ideas just take time to become good.
I think passion in life is so important. My kids have all found something that makes them feel fantastic and I think that is great. Their passion has so much significance in their lives. And they don't want to veer off and head down the wrong path because the cost is so great. They will lose what they love to do--what they are passionate about. But passion has that price. I've seen them lose or not be successful in auditions. I've seen them cry.
And I've cried. I used to cry when I got rejections. And I got a lot, let me tell you. I don't cry much anymore because I know I'm not going to stop writing. And I know another idea is just around the corner. That would be insane to quit!!! I love what I do too much.
My agent has moved out of the literary agent business and I'm now agentless. So I guess I'll be getting the letters of rejection in the mail now. And when I get into the mood to try and find a new agent--I think I'll fly solo for the summer- I'm sure I'll be rejected over and over until I find one. That's the writing world. If you want to read a passionate writing blog you should read eidtor Cheryl Klein's. She's at CherylKlein.com. From her blog you can tell she is so passionate about editing and writers. I love reading her blog because the passion oozes from her words. And she has such good words of advice for writers. It's obvious that she loves books.
Okay, so find what you're passionate about and do it. But the trick is to make sure while you are being passionate to have a life too. Hmm. Am I making sense. Sometimes, I need to step back from my computer and go outside and garden or exercise and I always make sure I'm there for my children. Of course, when I'm there for my children I'm listening to pick up ideas. Okay, so I don't really have a life!!!
And I've definitely babbled long enough.
My heart is healing from the loss yesterday.
My heart will heal from all my rejections.
And those guys will still play hockey, and I'll still write.
Onwards.
Find what you love to do and do it.
And this is not a Nike ad.