Passions and sharing thereof

It’s so cool to find someone who shares our passions. To talk endlessly in hermetic languages of some specific area knowing that all is understood and little has to be explained. It’s especially cool to find a long lost hobby twin when one is crazy about some fringe subject like 14th century sculpture or New York jazz scene of the early 60’s.

It’s sometimes even cooler to meet people who share the common base (medieval, jazz) but are our neighbours in interests, because they can expand our knowledge in an extraordinary way, filling the gaps and offering a different point of view. Sometimes it results in creation of a new common area, shared only with that person, which is, by all means, fascinating.

People who are completely dedicated to a totally foreign subject can be incredibly alluring, but in the long run they are a tougher case. It takes patience to explain the basics it takes tolerance not to shove one’s hobby down somebody else’s throat, mind, eyes or ears. Dragging someone kicking and screaming to the opera normally won’t work wonders, while there is a slim chance they may fall in love with Verdi at the first note, there’s a pretty good chance they won’t.

Solution is, as always, in tolerance and trust and in not giving up what we enjoy to accommodate others. Go to the opera alone. Go with likeminded friends. If the anti-operatic friend or lover feels jealous or insecure it’s their problem. It really is. Not being able to give other people space for their interests and passions is a problem. Demanding that they partake in our hobby and forsake theirs is akin to mental violence.

Bottom line? Everything is doable when there’s tolerance, understanding and, above all, respect (self-respect included). Never give up on who you are and what defines you, respect the other part’s identity, enjoy and expand what you have in common, be tolerant of differences.

Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, it’s not that easy, but still a person of passions and interests, even if hermetic and completely different from ours, beats a walking-talking zombie anytime ;-)

The Simple Pleasures of Life

A glass of wine at the end of the day.
Snooping places noone else can see and taking pictures thereof...
Freshly painted, shiny toenails.
Wind messing with my hair.
Sun caressing my shoulders.
Fresh and crisp linens, even if the bed is not meant to be shared, tonight.
Work, results and pay.
Satisfaction of having done things, especially with our own hands and even more especially when we get this tangible, physical effect of a different kind of work for a change after a long time dedicated to purely intellectual efforts. Above all, especially if some nice people have said "you can't do it, pay to have it done..." :p
Cheese, bread and ... more cheese.
Recognition.
Company to talk to all night long.
Being alone and not having to explain anything.
Movies.
Books.
More books.
Information superhighway and silly people on the internet. So far away and so close.
Travels, travel agents and planning.
Anticipation. Fulfillment. Extasy.
Life... the greatest adventure :-)