Baking? Painting? Not So Much.

I was recently asked a question- "what are your hobbies?" 

This question seems pretty ordinary. What can it tell you about a person? How would you answer it? I think many people would say cooking, painting, writing, reading, running. To get know someone truly however, I believe we should ask "what are your true passions?"

Passion is a word I used a lot in my previous life at Texas A&M. I taught students to follow their passions; I encouraged them to stop believing everything they were told, stop doing what they are told by others blindly, and start thinking about their own passions and how this helps their identity development. Furthermore, I encouraged them to use their passions to guide their everyday decisions. 

So, when I was asked "what are your hobbies" I focused back on my passions. While retelling my story of my life to this individual I found that my passions have been carefully intertwined into my years. Perhaps I am not one with a hobby such as baking or painting, but my passions do drive my each and every decision.

Passion: History. I have the strength of context. I like to know where we have been in order to understand where we are going. I enjoy pondering the past and thinking about the ways it has influenced the present. Do I live in the past? No. Do I say "we have always done it this way." No. I simply use the past to make decisions about the future. 

Passion: Connecting. I have the strength of connectedness. I enjoy helping others connect with resources and experiences which can help them in life. This is essentially how I pay it forward. Introducing people to others because others have made introductions for me. Instigating relationships which can help individuals and organizations with achieving their goals. Supporting others connections so they can become successful in their endeavors. 

Passion: Leadership. I have the strength of maximizer. I enjoy helping others maximize their own strengths to become the best leaders they can be. Sadly, many people do not believe they are leaders in any capacity. However, I believe that everyone is a leader in their own right. Everyone has the opportunity to lead, regardless of style or characteristics. Regardless of title or position; regardless of circumstances which may control them. 

These passions together make up my hobbies. I read, study, research as much as I can. But it all comes down to what I can do to help this world be better. Perhaps I am not a baker. Or painter. And as much as I enjoy a good run, I would not say that running is a hobby. However, my passions are what drive me in my everyday life and decisions.