Passion revisited

There were many a times in the past when I was a more passionate person than I am now.

But I am thinking now that perhaps my perspective on passion is aimed too much at work. I admit my passion for work in the past has not been that high which always troubled me. My current passion level at work is actually not bad, but I strive for true passion in what I am doing. Anyways my point is, perhaps passion can be satisfied better outside of work, like with a hobby or something.

I can recall a few areas of bigtime passion in my life to date. One was when I was into anime during college. I was really into that stuff, I loved it and i consumed me. I recall my early days as a software engineer/IT guy were very passionate times. I was reading books, learning at an accelerated pace, and really striving to be the best. That was end of college->first 6 years of work.

So for the last 5 years I've been trying to rediscover myself mainly thru work since as an adult thats what we mainly do with our waking hours. I think doing the MS was a good distraction, or a virtual passion, but it didn't really leave me with a next step. It wasn't so much a passion as it was a goal, and when you have a goal without a next goal, then you are back to square one (albiet a higher level square).

So the question really is whats my next bigtime passion. Its hard to tell what its been for the past 5 years or its existed (perhaps masked by other "goals"). I think building wealth was one, but I don't think its a passion that is worthy because the rewards are one dimensional. Watching TV and NFL is also limiting as true passions as its too passive and really out of your control. Have some passion that you can make your destiny. I have time to think about this now that life in Tokyo has slowed down a little and I actually have a Sunday afternoon to sit at Starbucks and reflect.

I was reminded of this by re-reading an article about the famous P.Bronson book on what to do with my life. Its a great book and while it didn't change my life, it had great impact on my decision to get my ass up and start searching and come out here to Tokyo for one thing.