Part 3 of 5<\/p>\n
\u201cIt brought out the real \u2018me\u2019 in me,<\/em>\u201d effused Leslie as she described a piece of music she’d recently listened to, \u201cI was completely undone by it\u2026.moving<\/em>, swaying,dancing\u2026 it suddenly struck me that music IS me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The members of \u00a0the book club, caught in the spell of her passion, listened with rapt attention and smiled.<\/p>\n This was quintessential Leslie. \u00a0We’d all met at a toddler playgroup 22 years ago, become fast friends and over the years the only changes were our name — The Playgroup Moms – The Moms \u00a0– The Dog Eared Book Club. We know<\/em>\u00a0how much Leslie loves music\u2026.is completely transformed…..enlivened…elevated to another place when playing, singing, teaching, talking about or otherwise engaged…and beautifully lit from within by it.<\/p>\n I assumed music was her lifelong passion. \u201cIt went unexercised for a loooong time,<\/em>\u201d she laughed as she recounted her passionate walk with music. \u201cFrom the end university to having kids it was pretty dormant. Once the girls arrived I wanted it to be a big part of our family.” <\/em>It grew to include introducing music to her kids (and ours and everybody else’s), teaching piano \u00a0and joining a jazz choir.”Eight years ago I heard the community jazz band was looking for a trombone player, I approached the musical director and told him I wanted in. I couldn’t believe how bold I was considering I \u00a0hadn’t played played since high school!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n It must have been her passion that opened the door because the musical director welcomed her in.<\/p>\n Leslie is still playing trombone in the band and she\u2019s joined a second jazz band. She’s dedicated herself to continually improving with lessons and whatever it takes to keep digging deeper into music.There\u2019s also the family house band with Leslie, husband Merlin, daughters Ariel and Amelia and an assortment of friends jamming on guitars whenever they can.<\/p>\n That\u2019s passion for you \u2026. it beckons forth, unlocks the door and unleashes you\u2026 free of fear\u2026..you become BOLD\u2026.your gift is given to others\u2026they feel\u2026.inspired<\/em>.<\/p>\n When we\u2019re engaged in our passion(s) we are immersed in the things we were put on earth to do, the things that tap into our strongest strengths and deepest loves. What has felt so right to you in your life? When have you felt the most alive?<\/p>\n \u201cThere are two great days in a person\u2019s life\u2014the day we are born and the day we discover why.\u201d<\/p>\n William Barclay Scottish theologian and author<\/p>\n If you are one of the lucky ones who can sit in a comfy chair, take deep breaths, pose questions to yourself and have images and messages present themselves I am (more than a little) envious. What works for me is to read and consider the questions below. Trust I have planted the seeds, and pray the answers and (maybe) epiphanies will flow. They always do\u2026when<\/i> I\u2019m trying to get to sleep, driving, vacuuming or in the shower. If this sounds familiar keep pen and paper handy (at strategic locations) ready to capture thoughts.<\/p>\n ASK these questions to help uncover passion(s)<\/b><\/p>\n What brings you joy?<\/b> Think a place, a topic, a person, and event.<\/p>\n What makes you feel completely peaceful?<\/b> Think of what do you do or have done that brings total peace when you do it?<\/p>\n What comes easily to you?<\/b> Look at everything you do and identify what is easy and fun.<\/p>\n What sparks your creativity?<\/b> Look to see if there is an area of your life where you are always able to expand and find new possibilities or new ideas.<\/p>\n What would you do for free?<\/b> This answer completely isolates our deepest love(s).<\/p>\n \u00a0What do you like to talk about?<\/b> Professionals say this is hard to answer because it impossible to objectively see ourselves. \u00a0\u00a0They suggest asking insightful friends and family what they believe you like to talk about the most. Also what makes your eyes brighten and changes your entire demeanor when you talk about it?<\/p>\n When is failure not an issue?<\/b> \u00a0Passion overrides fear. If the desire to engage in or pursue something is free of the fear of failure this may very well be one of your core passions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\u00a0reACTION [to change in the response to stimulus]: Questions to Self<\/b><\/h2>\n