Finding Passion in the Everyday
How small joys and creative pursuits bring meaning to life
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
— Mary Oliver, The Summer Day
You know that moment when someone asks, “What’s your passion?” and you freeze, wondering if “eating pizza in pajamas” counts as an answer?
I’ve been there.
Passion can seem like this elusive, grand idea that we’re all supposed to chase down like we’re hunting mythical creatures.
I’ve learned over time is that passion isn’t always about these dramatic, life-changing pursuits; sometimes, it’s about the small things that bring joy, creativity, and meaning to our everyday lives.
It’s the driving force behind what makes us tick, even if it isn’t always glamorous.
The Humble Beginning
For the longest time, I thought passion had to be some earth-shattering talent—something like painting a mural the size of a building or writing the next great Canadian novel.
Passion doesn’t always shout; sometimes it whispers.
Mine started small—sketching absentmindedly on napkins while waiting for food, writing silly little poems for no one but myself, humming tunes that I’d never remember once they’d left my lips.
These tiny sparks didn’t look like much at the time, but looking back, they were the seeds of something bigger.
Music: A Passion of Expression
Now, I’m not looking to become a musician. I tried to learn acoustic guitar, and it’s failed miserably, so I think I’ll let that go.
Music, to me, has always been one of the purest forms of passionate inspiration.
You can see it in musicians like Nina Simone, who doesn’t just sing—she pours her heart out.
Her music is a blend of jazz, blues, and classical, but it’s her raw emotion that cuts through everything.
Listening to her play, I always think about how much of her soul is embedded in each note.
The thing about passion is it’s not just about skill: it’s about expression.
For Simone, music is her voice against racism and injustice, a passion that’s embodied with a mission.
Sometimes I wonder if passion sneaks up on us, quietly, until one day we wake up and realize it's been guiding us all along.
In the case of Keith Haring, his passion for art and activism led him to use graffiti to bring messages of love and awareness into public spaces.
He wasn’t looking to be a famous artist—he just wanted to create, to reach people, and to have fun.
And in doing so, he shaped an entire movement.
Dance: A Language of the Body
When I think about passion in dance, Alvin Ailey always comes to mind.
The way he moved—and the way he taught others to move—was more than just technical prowess.
His choreography, especially in Revelations, was a form of storytelling rooted in his experiences as an African American.
It was a passion that spoke to heritage, pain, and joy.
Dance for Ailey wasn’t just about physical movement; it was about moving people emotionally.
I once tried dancing, and let’s just say my limbs are not as cooperative as my imagination.
But I realized that you don’t need to be a master at something to love it.
You just have to let go, move, and feel—whether it’s a graceful pirouette or just clumsy footwork in your living room.
The same applies to any passion.
You don’t need to be an expert; you just need to feel connected to it.
Writing: The Passion of Storytelling
Writing is another medium where passion speaks volumes1.
Take Octavia Butler, for example.
She didn’t just write science fiction; she used the genre to explore complex ideas about race, gender, and equality.
For Butler, passion wasn’t just about crafting stories—it was about crafting worlds that challenged and expanded people’s minds.
Her pursuit of passion was not linear or easy; she faced rejection after rejection but never gave up.
That’s the thing about passion—it doesn’t let go, even when you’re doubting yourself.
I’ve felt that same pull with writing.
Even when no one else is reading, I write because it’s a way of understanding the world and, sometimes, understanding myself.
That’s what passion does—it fills in the spaces where words fail us.
Culinary Arts: A Taste of Passion
I love creating meals for my family, especially my wife, and while my cooking may be more "experimental" than expert, I always pour my heart into it, hoping to serve something worth the effort.
Watching someone like Massimo Bottura or Gordan Ramsey, you can see how cooking is an art form fueled by love and creativity.
Each dish isn’t just a meal—it’s a story, a connection to their heritage, and a love letter to their craft.
Cooking, like any passion, is about more than just following a recipe.
It’s about putting something of yourself into the process, about the love and care you pour into every dish.
And isn’t that what passion is all about—putting a bit of yourself into whatever you create?
Passion and Purpose
Passion doesn’t have to be grand.
It doesn’t need to be showcased on a global stage.
Sometimes, it’s found in the quiet moments—sketching on a napkin, dancing in your living room, writing late into the night, or experimenting with spices in the kitchen.
The pursuit of passion is about finding what makes you feel alive, what makes time melt away, and following that, no matter where it leads.
For me, I’ve come to realize that passion is less about the outcome and more about the journey.
It’s about the moments of joy, frustration, creativity, and connection.
Whether it’s in the quiet beauty of a haiku or the bold strokes of a mural, passion is a vital part of what makes life meaningful.
So, if you haven’t found your passion yet—or if you’re unsure of what it looks like—don’t worry.
It’s probably already there, quietly waiting for you to notice it.
And when you do, it will guide you toward a life of fulfillment, even if you still prefer eating pizza in your pajamas.
Final Thoughts
Passion isn’t a destination; it’s an evolving force.
It’s the tiny things you love, the challenges you embrace, and the creativity you bring to whatever you do.
It doesn’t need to be loud or impressive—it just needs to be yours.
So, what will you pursue, not for the world, but for yourself?
The passion of writing speaks volumes in its ability to express deep emotions, challenge societal norms, and capture personal journeys:
James Baldwin, in The Fire Next Time, channels his passion for justice and equality through eloquent essays that confront racial injustice in America. His work combines personal testimony with social commentary, making his writing a force for change. Baldwin’s famous line, “To defend oneself against a fear is simply to insure that one will, one day, be conquered by it; fears must be faced,” reflects the power of his passionate prose.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun captures the emotional and historical weight of the Nigerian Civil War. Her writing not only tells a gripping story but also gives a voice to the overlooked. Her line, “Did you see photos in sixty-eight Of children with their hair becoming rust: Sickly patches nestled on those small heads, Then falling off, like rotten leaves on dust? Imagine children with arms like toothpicks, With footballs for bellies and skin stretched thin. It was kwashiorkor—difficult word, A word that was not quite ugly enough, a sin.” This passage, among others, emphasizes her deep connection to her characters and the history they represent.
In Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet, his passion for artistic integrity and self-expression is evident as he advises the young poet to turn inward for inspiration. His quote, “There is only one single way. Go into yourself. Search for the reason that bids you write; find out whether it is spreading out its roots in the deepest places of your heart, acknowledge to yourself whether you would have to die if it were denied you to write. This above all—ask yourself in 18 the stillest hour of your night: must I write?” reflects his belief in writing as an act of introspection and authenticity.