Finding time for your passion
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340230)
Rockingham, Australia
March 25, 2017 7:44am CST
Youless (@youless) has written about getting back into painting and how she finds it hard to find time for her passion.
When I had the two boys at school, I was given the chance to participate in an advanced piano-teaching course which was University based. I was two hours driving from the nearest large town and eight hours from the city. The idea was that a lecturer would be flown to the large town every six weeks and the six participants would meet there for a weekend of lectures and lessons.
I really wondered if I had the time to do the necessary practice as I'm not naturally talented. My days seemed very full as it was without trying to add more into them. I wanted to practice a minimum of two hours a day but more if possible. To accomplish this I would sit down at the piano as soon as the boys left for school. Once I had done my two-hours practice my 'normal' day would start. I would do more after lunch if I was able.
At times I would be anxious about getting through my chores but I found that I was mostly able to cope. However if I didn't start my practice until I'd done all I needed to do, I would never get to the piano. And now I have another excuse to put up Vince's lovely photo of our piano.
32 people like this
31 responses
@vickyrose (2235)
• Cooma, Australia
26 Mar 17
I think that you should, .Anna. Have you kept any of your paintings?
2 people like this
@vickyrose (2235)
• Cooma, Australia
26 Mar 17
Now, that the kids are grown and have time, I'm doing things that I enjoy.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Mar 17
@vickyrose That's really good.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50273)
• United States
26 Mar 17
@JudyEv what a shame they don't want it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Mar 17
@Tampa_girl7 One lives in Ireland so he can't take it and the other in Melbourne, which is four hours flight away. He has a small place which is very full already and he lives from hand to mouth so it just wouldn't be feasible for him to have it. I will try to find a nephew who would like it (I have no nieces).
1 person likes this
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
25 Mar 17
Lovely photo indeed. It just goes to say that if one wants to do something you make time for it. But just like @youless I sometimes can't find so much time doing my real passion - writing. I have a full-time job that also gets so much of my time
2 people like this
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
26 Mar 17
@JudyEv indeed but that's what I need to earn for a living.
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
27 Mar 17
I used to paint a lot some years ago, and hope to start again. Let's see if it is possible. My neighbor also likes painting, so we should inspire each other.. We just need to get started.. I have posted a couple of pictures here in myLot too.. 
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72144)
• United States
26 Mar 17
Wow this photo is gorgeous. I thought it was a museum exhibit or something. I find I spend so much of my free time here at mylot that I do take enough time to read as I should. It has been taking me weeks to read a book instead of just one.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
27 Mar 17
yeah, doing it first was prob the best way, I've found that I get more done if I do things in a certain order too
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
28 Mar 17
@JudyEv today I am barely single tasking
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40295)
• Laguna Woods, California
26 Mar 17
@JudyEv - That is so wonderful that you were able to find the time to play. I think it is important for all of us to make time for our passions.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40295)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Mar 17
@JudyEv - You are so right about the importance of our passions.
1 person likes this
@vickyrose (2235)
• Cooma, Australia
26 Mar 17
Wow, Judy, that is a lovely photo of your piano. You have lovely things. Who plays the cello? I studied piano for 6 months when I was young but never really enjoyed it. My son is a good piano player though. I enjoyed his practices at home. I miss him and his music though as he's now lives in his own flat.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Mar 17
I think I was made to learn because my mother never had the chance. I don't consider myself as talented.
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Mar 17
I forgot to say the cello is actually a double bass - not that it matters. It is ours. We bought it for our son when he needed to have a string bass rather than an electric bass guitar. He was studying jazz at the Conservatorium. It was his to use as long as he needed it. In the end he finished up living in Ireland and he has his own bass(es) there. When he visits he plays it.
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
25 Mar 17
I try to work on our family genealogy a few hours everyday or every other day, I have to take advantage of my paid subscriptions, and they only are good for a month then I'm without a few weeks before I can renew them all.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Mar 17
@chrissbergstrom That's good that you've made them available to family.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
26 Mar 17
@JudyEv I have found a few family histories published on my family, i have self published to family history books i made them using shuterfly and only made them available to family.
1 person likes this
@manasamanu (3746)
• Bangalore, India
26 Mar 17
Wow amazing photo!!Even I have started to follow my passion of writing. I like to write poems and short stories.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
26 Mar 17
Good for you. Not everyone is given a chance to follow their passion.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136581)
• India
25 Mar 17
Wait a minute. Are you getting back to play? We need to have a recording of one your pieces. Waiting.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136581)
• India
26 Mar 17
@JudyEv When the title said 'finding time for your passion' I thought you were getting back
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
27 Mar 17
@JudyEv If we do not find time for our passions,the feeling of being unfulfilled will always be there.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
26 Mar 17
Yep, we can always make time for our passions.
1 person likes this
@Keyia120 (1135)
• United States
26 Mar 17
I always find time to write and crochet. I basically do things when my boys are watching tv or at night when they are asleep. Sometimes I take a nap during the day so I tend to be able to stay up at night but my husband is here on weekends so I like to make sure that I get most of my stuff in around the weekend. My boys can do things on their own so now I can actually crochet and write when they watch cartoons or when one is at school and the other is relaxing in the mornings. We have to always make time for the things that we love because if we don't then we will be miserable in my opinion. I am glad that you take the time to do the things that you love and I love your photo. I am crocheting a slouchy hat and I will have a photo when I am done. I hope to finish this week. I am almost done with editing my first short story and adding it to create space and amazon for self-publish. I decided to add parts one and two together so now I am delaying the book release. I hope that you keep on practicing and do what you love.
@JudyEv (340230)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Mar 17
Like you, I think it is important to make time for the things we like doing. I used to do a lot of crochet too but I don't do so much nowadays. And that's great that you are publishing your short story. Well done.
