Passion

Is passion a good thing or a bad thing?  I have never once thought about passion as being a negative until a very recent conversation.  It wasn't really much of a conversation, it was more like some accusations being tossed my way that I happened to catch and maybe take some to heart.

I am very passionate about several things:  running, wine, my children, music, pizza!  These are the things I love.  I know in some ways they define me as a person.  Anyone who knows me will be able to offer up the fact that I am a competitive runner, I love my wine and pizza, and I love my boys.  Music may not be as well known to most folks, but it is a deep rooted passion I have held since a child.

So what is wrong with that?

Did you know that sometimes people make decisions about you based on what they perceive to be fact?  Did you know that when you have a blog solely about wine and all of its wonder and enjoyment and pleasure that some folks perceive you as an alcoholic?  Do you know that this can hurt you and your family?  I truly never gave it a thought.  My passion gone too far...?

I have friends that post obnoxious loads of running information and pictures on Facebook.  Did you know that this has cost them "followers"?  I will admit I have been guilty of un-following a "friend" due to not being able to handle the constant barrage of running wisdom.  Passion gone too far?

Those of us that have kids, we post pictures of them doing cute shit all day long.  Videos.  Basic comments about how wonderful they are.  Is this a bad thing?

Where is the line?  I'm really not sure.  I have been told that I am considered a drunk for having a wine blog and for posting pictures of wine bottles on my (now deactivated) Facebook page.  It's sad when people make those conclusions about you based on one small snapshot of your life...but again, I have been guilty of it myself.

Now being on the receiving end, I think I will attempt to have a lot more patience.  Passion is passion.  We all have it for our own causes.  For my haters out there, I will let you know that I have given up wine for lent.  Not because of you, but because it is something that I have done for several years in the past because it makes good sense to me.  It is a passion that I would like to make a sacrifice for.  Judge on...