The road to success has many tempting parking places. – Steve Potter

I feel like I’ve parked my creativity for a while and it’s time to get back on the road. I’m fairly new at blogging but I look forward to learning how to drive this new technology and connect with others.

Whether writing a new blog, starting a new project or entering a new relationship, I’ve often put up roadblocks before even leaving the driveway.

A wise man once told me that once you get on the road to becoming who you truly are and following your “path” all lights will turn green when you need them to, obstacles will be lifted, and the roadway will become an expressway.

But the most important thing is to get on the road, without worrying about what will happen along the way before you even get there.

When I’ve followed this advice I’ve found that the road ascends, winds or descends, as is right for me at the time. Sometimes the view is better from the top (those roads along life’s cliffs); sometimes there’s more to see from the bottom looking up (the tracks that follow life’s valleys).  And the detours are almost always more fun than the road most taken.

As author Barbara Kingsolver said: “What keeps you going isn’t some fine destination but just the road you’re on and the fact you know how to drive.”

So here’s to getting back on the road to creativity… and shifting out of park.

Look for far more regular postings from The Babs Report.

There is a beautiful short story by the late Manitoba author Don Bailey that tells of a couple in the midst of breaking up over the usual relationship issues of miscommunication and non-commitment. As the boyfriend is about to fly off to rescue his “ex” from another crisis, his girlfriend calls him at the airport and says: “I want you to bring me a gift back from Vancouver.”

“Name it,” he replies.

“Bring me your passion,” she says.

“What?”

“You heard me,” she says. “I won’t settle for less.”

Bring me your passion is also the title of Don Bailey’s book, in which this excerpt and short story appear.  I read it while taking one of his writing classes many years ago. He inscribed the inside front cover for me: “To Barbara, a person of passion herself.” I was slightly embarrassed but entirely inspired, and his words moved me to pursue a career in journalism… and to bring to the world my passion for writing, the arts, architecture, people, places and new perspectives.

Your talents are your gifts and the world is ripe to receive them.

If you could bring me your passion what would it be?