The Importance of Pursuing Ones Passions - a Defensive Essay by Jeffrey Larocque

Unfulfilled or not, everybody has passions. In this essay I would like to touch on the importance of pursuing passions, or if you like, following your heart. The pursuit of passion doesn't necessarily mean you should quit your day job to follow it. For instance I have a passion for photography, but it would be less than plausible for me to quit my job and pursue it as my career. It may be different for someone else, again I have an example from my own personal passions. Eventually in my life I want to open a restaurant. This would mean, that I would have to quit my job and devote my life to it. I realize that my passion involves hard work and perseverance, and even the chance of failure, but I believe that following your passion involves a certain of amount of risk. Because risk is involved with following some passions, it's important to follow Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. For those unfamiliar with Maslow's Hierarchy basic needs come first. For example food, clothing, and shelter, are all a first. These needs must be taken care of before you pursue your passions. Once this is addressed then you can proceed with the pursuit of passions. There are many reasons for following passions. Feeling happiness, and or fulfillment is a big one. When you take the time to follow your life's interest you are advancing your talent and you can feel good about yourself. When you give your talent the time and resources it needs to advance you will experience true happiness following your passion. Many childhood dreams are forgotten because you may believe it may be impractical to continue to pursue it as an adult. It's one thing to lose your passion, but it should never seem impractical to pursue the thing that makes you happy. It's always important to follow your passion because in doing so you are tapping into the real you. Finding yourself will always be practical. Another reason to pursue your passion is because you put so much time into it that you become an expert at