passion

Amanda at Mocking Bird listed 5 Things she is passionate about. Made me think of what I would put on my list. It was a difficult challenge. I think this might be a rather fluid list - but for now I will say these are my 5 things:

1. music - I love music. I love how music creates a soundtrack to my life. Different years are tracked by different music. I love discovering something new and playing it over and over again so it lives inside me. Sharing music with friends - see no. 5 - it is all rather connected.
   
2. silence - funny enough - I love silence too. There is time for both in my life. There are days when I crave silence. To rest in the stillness - this one thing that my tradition has instilled in me. Being still and resting in the presence of God - loving God and allowing God to love me.
   
3. parenting my children - I am constantly thinking about how I am raising my children - what am I teaching them by my behaviour and actions - it is my greatest hope that they will grow up to be engaged, passionate and compassionate people contributing to the greater good - challenging myself to question my own actions - what motivates me to say yes vs. no - how much do I give of myself - how much do I expect from them?
   
4. reading and writing - I am inspired by the written word - the craft of writing - the telling of a story - listening to a story - reading someone's journey - lessons - joys and sorrows
   
5. food and friends - one of most absolute favourite things is eating and drinking with my friends - conversation - visiting - sharing our stories - finding our way - together - supporting each other on the journey

There are more things. I am enjoying photography more and more. I am learning. I bought a new camera - a digital SLR and I am slowly finding my way - but I also picked up an old Canon AE-1 film camera my husband had lying around and shot my first black and white roll in along time. I quite like the images that were created - well 2 of them - after I figured out the light meter was not actually working - and made some adjustments!

So, I guess my list is actually a list of 6 things - which is just fine.

I am grateful for my life and all the good things I have been graced to experience. I am glad for a heart that feels joy and sadness. Sometimes I overthink. Maybe just a little.