Following our curiosity, instead of our passion, is the real key to an interesting and creative life.

Andrew Merle, Why Curiosity is the Key to Breakthrough.

Follow your passion, they said, and you will never work a day in your life. Isn’t that we were told in the 80’s and 90’s? Unfortunately, if I had followed my passion, not only would I never have to work, I would not get to eat either. Which led to a “day job” in Dining Services at a large university. Followed by many university jobs, each in some other field. Not necessarily for more money, I tended to do pay cuts as I moved to new fields.

I guess I was following my curiosity before it was even cool. I sometimes joke about what I could have accomplished if I had focused my whole career on one subject for the past XX years. But would I have had as much fun? Or different experiences? I don’t know. I do know that I can’t change the past, so onward! Into whatever is out there.

There is a new wave out there, saying that following your passion is for hobbies. The key to work is to build valuable career capital. Is that as romantic as following your passion? Not at all. But having your bills paid makes life just a little easier.

There’s no dishonor in having a job. What is dishonorable is scaring away your creativity by demanding that it pay for your entire existence.

– Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic

Welcome to my latest exercise in an attempt to reach my goal of being a prolific writer in 2025. So, in addition to writing 1 short story each week (Because Ray Bradbury said you can’t write 52 bad ones – challenge accepted!) I will  post an entry from my Commonplace book and a short note on why the quote spoke to me on that day. I can hear you now – sucky stories and random quotes? Sign me up.

For more information about the blogging challenge, see http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/)