High Times On Bailey Drive

My Dirty Sobriety

Tag: Passion

  • Creativity and Finding Your Passion

    Creativity and Finding Your Passion

    I just returned from my kid’s Christmas Program, produced by their performing arts charter school.

    It was unbelievably inspiring. I was full of emotion during most of the show. It was apparent that at least 20% of the kids performing had already found their passion and creative outlet. I couldn’t have been happier for them.

    For years I didn’t believe I was creative. Part of my problem was drinking and using drugs as my primary hobby for over two decades.

    A couple of years into my sobriety I was inspired by Rich Roll’s story. He had been inspired by Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way. As have many writers and creatives.

    I became curious to see if I could unlock any creative potential that might have been suppressed during my drinking and using days. I’ve always loved to read and my technical writing had always been sound. So, I picked up the book and began writing the Morning Pages.

    Not only has my life improved, but my writing has too. It has sparked the creation of this blog. Well, that and giving up social media.

    It took many, many decades for me to discover a passion for life and a creative outlet. Watching the 12-year-olds tonight bursting with passion and creativity made me happy. Oddly, I was not the least bit envious of the headstart they have, compared to where I was at their age.

    I believe we are all born with talents and gifts. Our primary purpose in life is to discover those gifts and share them with the world. This will inspire future generations to discover and share their own gifts with humanity. That’s what this life is all about. Leaving the world a little better than when we entered it.

    I tried to throw away this precious life for many years. Now that I’ve been given another chance, my life is full of much deeper meaning. Every day I wish to be inspired and aim to inspire others.

    I encourage everyone who has not found their passion to continue their search. It’s there. Don’t give up. Be patient with yourself. It took me 38 years to believe I had creativity that could be cultivated intrinsically.

    And that passion I witnessed tonight bursting out from that group of young kids? That same passion is within us all. It’s up to us to find and cultivate that passion.

    Peace and Love.

    My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them

    – Jack Kerouac
  • Why I’m Taking A Break From Social Media

    Why I’m Taking A Break From Social Media

    To be different, of course.  Not really.  Well, maybe a little.  Ego can be a tricky thing. 

    As an individual prone to addictive behavior, it was too easy for me to succumb to mindlessly scrolling after receiving hits of dopamine, aka notifications.  The minimalists call the urge to pick up your phone a “twitching”.

    I also found myself harshly judging others for their behavior, appearance, actions, beliefs, and thoughts.  I finally became aware of these negative thought patterns and wasn’t happy with them. 

    Between the timesink that social media had become – a few minutes scrolling between tasks, while watching television and at multiple other random points of the day, I decided to take a break.

    For now, I’m taking a break throughout the end of the year.  I still want to be inspired and have a chance of inspiring others.  Often, Social Media can be a great platform for this. 

    So, if I return, I promise to be more intentional.  Maybe I will keep my thoughts and life updates confined to this blog and share links on my social media.  I’m not sure.

    I do know that after two weeks without it, I feel much freer.  My creativity and productivity are up.  And somehow, I feel a greater love for everyone.

    Distracted from distraction by distraction

    – T.S. Eliot