Have you ever let go of something you enjoyed because of outside interference?

I’m in the process of reclaiming some things in my life that fell by the wayside, as a result of, forces outside myself that very gradually beat the passion out of me. These instances were subtle now that I reflect back.

An example is my relationship with classical and jazz music. I’ve lost my connection with those genres. I used to be so passionate about jazz, especially - it was my major in college (well, double major: music education and jazz performance).

My #1 passion used to be playing drums - I thought for sure it was my purpose. From elementary through high school, I was the king of drums. It was my whole identity. I was a hotshot. And then I got to college and learned that I wasn’t such a hotshot after all. And over the next twenty years, my passion for drumming dwindled.

I’m happy to announce I’m rekindling my connection with playing the drums. Pre-pandemic, I was playing 6-8 musicals per year. I’d play drums in the pit band for live musicals for community theater companies. I hadn’t realized how important and rewarding it was until Covid. In the last few years, I performed such classic shows as: Annie, Little Shop of Horrors, Chicago, Legally Blond, and Newsies. Last March, I was scheduled to be in Little Mermaid, Spam-a-lot, and Jesus Christ Superstar!

On a more personal note, my father decided to disconnect from the family about 25 years ago and he was always a huge Jimi Hendrix fan. For the longest time, I avoided Hendrix’s music. Now, I’m at the point where I listen to Hendrix but now I’m not entirely sure I really like his music all that much - but at least I opened the gates to embrace him in the event that I did like him. I did the work and I’m content that at least I have the awareness.

What’s a passion or interest that has dimmed in your life? What would you gain if you gave it a go again? Please share your story in the comments!

Related post:
I share my story in Episode 5 of my podcast