Passion vs Money

Image from business2community

Business, if you had a chance to start your own business what would you do? Would you follow your passion or what’ll make you money?

Often times we go for what works, what makes us money and not what we are called to do or destined to do. There have been those that succeeded in doing any kind of business, and those that succeeded in their passion business, and there are those that failed at both.

If given $100,000 what would I go for? I know I would invest in my passion but I think I’ll also invest into something else that works. Not because my passion won’t work, but because I know I won’t stop going after my passion hence I need something to back-up my passion for those rainy days when funds run dry.

There is no harm in doing what works, but there is always joy in doing what you are passionate about. I don’t think you’ll ever go wrong pursuing your destiny with a passion. In the mean time, do your research, what works right now? Is it a business in swimming pool supplies, door hardware supplies or in selling commercial kitchen appliances? Don’t hesitate, do it wholeheartedly, but don’t forget - when the time is right you should pursue your passion. You may never retire when you pursue a passion.

I AM - Inspired

Image by Mwinga

A friend told me about a declaration she wrote on Facebook 7 years ago and every now and then she goes back to read it  so that she is constantly reminded of her dreams. The post is very inspiring, reading it reminded me of why I wanted to live a purposeful life on this earth with whatever talent, career and education God has blessed me with. 

When we are young, when we are not traumatized by the struggles of this world, that's when we are true dreamers and living with hope. That’s when our true, unfiltered, and God-focused selves can be seen. 

My friend’s post has inspired me to write declarations for myself  at every stage of my life to keep me on track. 

I remember when I was a teenager, I was in a car with a friend’s mom as she give me a ride home after a sleepover. The roads were clear back in the day (not like the present Dar es salaam), but in those few minutes drive to my place she asked me what I wanted to do with my life, I told her I will be a lawyer. She asked me why, I told her because I am following in my father’s footsteps and that’s what he also wants for me. She asked me other questions but because she knew I had no real world experience she opted to give me an advice instead. She told me that once I graduate with my bachelors, I should work then go back to school and get a master’s in Business Administration in order to broaden knowledge. I was grateful for the advice. Fast forward years later, after I finally had a real world experience, I decided to get a master’s degree in the area that I am passionate about, communication. Even though it’s not an MBA, what she said to me stuck. Her advice gave me wisdom and allowed me to dream again. I aspired to be educated in the area that I find meaning. With my passion for media and communication, I see how I am able to be a blessing to others in my community as well as my place of work.  

The reason I wrote this post is to remind you that, there have been times in your younger self when you wanted to do more in life than work a 9-5. Times when you wanted to be a blessing to others outside of your family. Times when you believed beyond what the world has chosen to limit you. 

Wake up and dream again. And be encouraged because every little bit of what you have will be used to bless a life or lives of those around you. Be encouraged, and continue to dream big, see beyond the limitations and reach for the stars. God wants you to be and do what He had put in your heart for you to do for the betterment of the human race and for his Kingdom. 

Be encouraged by my friend’s declaration titled I AM.

“I am a young and strong 23 year old African woman who is on a journey of discovery. I admit it has not been easy but it has been worth every breath, every fall and every rise for I have been able to ascertain attributes within me that I never thought existed.

As I am getting closer to attaining my bachelor degree in Law, all I can think about is what the hell am I going to do with this? Do not get me wrong, I have no regrets in pursuing LLB or taking this path in my life because the long yet short five year experience I have had in this cultured part of the world has been remarkable, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have without a doubt learned a lot.

With some of us, as a consequence of education, we get this compelling force within us that we have to do so much more than just sitting in an air conditioned office, summoning others to fetch us coffee, writing down monthly reports and coming up with innovative ways to swell our bank accounts.

I, for one, would not want to become one of those people who get wrinkles before they are 30 just because they keep on doing what they hate but they just perform because of that hefty pay cheque at the end of the month. Or those who settle for something less fulfilling just because they think they can not get hold of their “dream job”.

I want to be exhilarated waking up in the morning, be driven in doing what gives me pleasure, put a smile on SOMEONE’s face by doing what I love to do and acquire contentment in the course of that, and when I lay in bed at the end of the day, I want to feel imperative in else’s and my own life. i want so much more out of life.

I might seem greedy for I want so many things. But this is life, and it is short and as long as we have the energy, liveliness, willingness, courage and the tenacity, we should always go out there and get what we want and with God’s grace, we can achieve.

I want to make a difference in our community. I am not a billionaire, I don’t have money to give around and fulfill people’s material needs. But what I have, is much more precious than gold coins. I have a lot of love within me which am willing to share with the whole world, especially those who need it the most. There is always some one out there who needs a little extra love in their lives.

To that little girl who is infected with HIV/AIDS, I will give her hope. To that young man who was abandoned when he was only 10 years old, I will be his hero. To that young girl who thinks life is not worth living because she has grown up being sexually abused by the men in her life, I will make her see a whole new world through my eyes. To that young man who was robbed off his life by drugs, I will give him a second chance. To that hardworking mother who is a victim of domestic violence, I will teach her to say Enough.” And to that beautiful girl laying on the hospital bed with ruthless cancer eating her up, having few days to live, I will lay beside her and whisper “it is going to be ok!”

I am not superwoman, I am an ordinary person who is out to do extra ordinary things.”

What have you been passionate about your entire life?

I got my first camera from our Swedish neighbor Mr. Ulf, it was a disposable camera. I was 9 years old at the time, I think. I had it everywhere I went. That's when I started falling in love with cameras. In 1998 I made my dad buy me a camera, I used it a lot in Arusha to take family pictures. In 1999 I started going to school with my camera, I remember there was a day we were paid a visit by Hon. Juma Kapuya and I asked him if I could take a picture of him and he said yes, so I did. Apparently my teacher called my mom and told her that I go to school with my camera and he worries that it might interfere with my studies. But that never stopped me. 

I continued taking pictures when I moved to Dar to do my Secondary school education. I had my camera at every school events, fashion shows, last day of exams, you name it. 

My best friends were my models, I don't remember any of my best friend denying to model for me. I really do appreciate that by the way. FRIENDS ARE A GIFT FROM GOD. 

I got my first digital camera from my sister Noorie back in 2006 and I was so happy. I went with it everywhere including church. I took pictures of everything and uploaded them to our family laptop. 

When I was in India, I once went to MORE mega store and I saw this really nice camera, it was a Sony camera with a good zoom. I fell in love with it right away. I used my entire pocket money to buy that camera for $300. I came to that decision because I was in the store for 2 hours. Whenever I walked away from the camera section, I went right back again in less than 10 minutes. So I decided to buy the camera because I knew I would be so heart-broken if I left without buying it. 

I kept advancing to better cameras as time went by and of course when I had the cash. 

In 2012 I fell in love with Nikon 5100, I wanted to buy it so badly but had to use the cash for something else. I eventually bought a Nikon 5200 in 2014 and I was so happy. That was my very first DSLR camera. I was both confused and scared of using it because I didn't want to break anything (mostly because I don't like reading the manual), but I eventually got the hang of it. The challenge came in learning about ISO, F.stop, Shutter Speed, depth of field. I mean the list goes on and on. 

It wasn't easy learning all these new terminologies and their meaning and to actually make use of them in practical sense. Knowing what does what and how I can make it work for me in the next picture I took. 

I read articles, watched YouTube videos, hangout with photographers just so that I can learn something new. 

My Camera is my escape! When I work behind a camera, I forget my emotions at that time. I forget what made me sad, or happy or whatever. I am able to bring my creative ideas into life because I have a camera that I can use to do so. 

I believe finding your passion can be the answer to many problems you may be facing in life. I know my passion for being behind a camera has taken me places and given me the ability to dream and dare for more. I know I am not perfect yet, but I believe that I will get there someday.