What are you passionate about? (Or who, if you'd prefer...)--Al

-- Al Schroeder (al.schroeder@nashville.com), June 08, 2000

Answers

Love in all its forms - parenting - teaching the young - and being with my family. That is my passion, but there are many other things and the top one is probably adequate and courteous communication between myself and others.

-- Denver doug (ionoi@webtv.net), June 09, 2000.

I am passionate about injustice. I don't want to see anybody harassed or abused or hurt because of their gender, their situation, their orientation. I feel strongly about equality for gay people and this passion has gotten me out of myself and onto the streets, tabling for a proposition, driving strangers to the doctor, writing letters to the editor, marching for pride.

The one thing that the death of our kids taught me is that all we are sure of is this moment. I'm not even sure I'll live long enough to get to sleep tonight--or that if I sleep tonight, that I'll wake up. Have I done all I can do today? Have I made the world a little better for someone today (yes--I got the laundry cleared off the bed so Walt could go to sleep). For me, death has taught me not to put things off until it's more convenient. If it's worth doing a year from now, it's worth doing today.

I'm also passionate about my friendships and fiercely loyal to those people I love. And I'm driven to speak my love at every opportunity, again because you never know if you're saying it for the last time.

-- Bev Sykes (basykes@dcn.davis.ca.us), June 09, 2000.

Passion. I'm only now discovering the true depth of that word.

I am (obviously) passionate about my children. That they will have the opportunity they deserve to love themselves, so that they can better love each other. That they not be led to believe that perfection is possible and expected of them. That they learn and live tolerance, compassion and spirituality. That they learn that real men don't leave. That intelligence and kindess outweigh physical strength and popularity.

I am also passionate about books. My older brother has never, and I mean never, read a complete book in his life. I can not imagine never having the glory of escaping with a good novel. I remember as a child reading "Where the Red Fern Grows" and crying like a baby at the end. When I finished the book, I cried again...knowing that the next book I selected could not be as good.

I am passionate about my journal. I accept that the writing and design are not top-notch. They don't have to be. I know that what I am writing means something. I know that one day my children will be able to read it and discover things about their family (and themselves) that most of us do not get the chance to see.

I am passionate about living a grateful life. If you see something that moves you, if someone provides something to your life that matters...thank them without hesitation and without shame.

So on that note....

Al, thank you for your entry today. You have put into words many of the thoughts that keep me up at night. You also have helped to set the standard that I want for my journal...one that I am far from reaching. (that's a good thing, by the way....it's all about the challenge).

Thank you also for this forum.

-Bob

-- Bob (and_if_I_die@hotmail.com), June 09, 2000.

I'm passionate about being the best teacher I can be to my special needs preschoolers. I've listened to other people groan and complain about their jobs and I know how blessed I am to have a career I enjoy.

I'm passionate about my husband, and the joys of having a life partner to share everything.

I have a deep relationship with art and literature, ecspecially impressionist art, fantasy/science fiction novels, and eastern philosophy.

I'm passionate about my tai chi/martail arts/sword fighting, although like Al, I keep finding reasons not to practice or to shorten my practice. It feels great after I exercise, but getting started is another thing...

-- AJ (joijoijoi@hotmail.com), June 09, 2000.

God, telling the truth, challenging those who hurt others.

-- Chris Hawkins (peace@clover.net), August 11, 2000.