Comments on: reworking and balance vs passion http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/ the art and craft of Mimi Kirchner Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:42:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: What I made instead of dinner … « Dream Big, Live Large, my artful life http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43740 What I made instead of dinner … « Dream Big, Live Large, my artful life Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:40:05 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43740 [...] Yes, it’s true. I’m hungry. My stomach’s growling. But still I couldn’t stop folding, shooting, and flickring until this mosaic was ready to post! It’s my second entry for the Kodak EasyShare printer giveaway being offered by fellow Wordpress blogger, BitterSweet. Deadline is tomorrow. I’m in under the final hours with time to spare. To see the full photos rather than squared-off crops of the original, click here. Another blogging friend recently raised a discussion about passion versus balance. So … if I bypassed dinner to “play” — which is what all of this creative stuff feels like — would you say that I am passionate or out of balance? [...] [...] Yes, it’s true. I’m hungry. My stomach’s growling. But still I couldn’t stop folding, shooting, and flickring until this mosaic was ready to post! It’s my second entry for the Kodak EasyShare printer giveaway being offered by fellow Wordpress blogger, BitterSweet. Deadline is tomorrow. I’m in under the final hours with time to spare. To see the full photos rather than squared-off crops of the original, click here. Another blogging friend recently raised a discussion about passion versus balance. So … if I bypassed dinner to “play” — which is what all of this creative stuff feels like — would you say that I am passionate or out of balance? [...]

]]> By: Dannielle http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43456 Dannielle Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:25:24 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43456 The changes to the baby are wonderful! Definitely not sinful to change things around a bit. I've noticed that those who preach to me about balance (well, actually it's not so much preaching as it is they are perplexed over how I can sit and do the same thing-in their eyes-for hours upon hours, day after day) don't have something that they enjoy to such a degree. It makes my husband crazy that I can't sit and watch a tv show or movie without working on something. He's always suggesting I take a break and relax. But really, nothing relaxes me more than the rhythm of handwork. It brings to my happy place. :) The changes to the baby are wonderful! Definitely not sinful to change things around a bit.

I’ve noticed that those who preach to me about balance (well, actually it’s not so much preaching as it is they are perplexed over how I can sit and do the same thing-in their eyes-for hours upon hours, day after day) don’t have something that they enjoy to such a degree.

It makes my husband crazy that I can’t sit and watch a tv show or movie without working on something. He’s always suggesting I take a break and relax. But really, nothing relaxes me more than the rhythm of handwork. It brings to my happy place. :)

]]> By: Cassandra http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43253 Cassandra Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:18:39 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43253 Ah, noticed your baby link, SUCH A DIFFERENCE. Really makes the little one special. Ah, noticed your baby link, SUCH A DIFFERENCE. Really makes the little one special.

]]> By: bethany http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43126 bethany Tue, 27 Nov 2007 03:13:51 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43126 Balance? what's that? I have definitely blamed outside forces for my lack of balance. Passion I have in spades. But Balance? I am bereft. My home suffers first so I often think: I could have balance if I could seperate my craft quarters from my living quarters.. But it is probably just an easy excuse. I think that a passionate person loses themselves in the work because of the work... a Workaholic loses themselves to be lost. It is a very handy title to throw at those whom we miss because they are succumbing to passion... for whatever reason. Balance? what’s that?

I have definitely blamed outside forces for my lack of balance. Passion I have in spades. But Balance? I am bereft. My home suffers first so I often think: I could have balance if I could seperate my craft quarters from my living quarters.. But it is probably just an easy excuse.

I think that a passionate person loses themselves in the work because of the work… a Workaholic loses themselves to be lost. It is a very handy title to throw at those whom we miss because they are succumbing to passion… for whatever reason.

]]> By: futuregirl http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43121 futuregirl Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:44:04 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43121 I think a lot about finding balance, too. I've come to the conclusion that balance can never be achieved. I think it is something to continually work towards. Kind of like paying attention. There is no amount of paying attention that will make up for nodding off in a movie. There is no amount of seeking balance that will allow me to declare myself "in balance." I think you are half-right about the workaholic thing. The part I agree with: that the other person is saying, "you aren't paying enough attention to me." But I don't agree it's always because a person is passionate about their work (although it sometimes is). It might be the case that the person has other motives ... like a husband/father that stays at work late every night to avoid the wife and kids, or a woman who is afraid of commitment trying to find an excuse for why she hasn't met someone yet. Just my two cents. :) I think a lot about finding balance, too. I’ve come to the conclusion that balance can never be achieved. I think it is something to continually work towards. Kind of like paying attention. There is no amount of paying attention that will make up for nodding off in a movie. There is no amount of seeking balance that will allow me to declare myself “in balance.”

I think you are half-right about the workaholic thing. The part I agree with: that the other person is saying, “you aren’t paying enough attention to me.” But I don’t agree it’s always because a person is passionate about their work (although it sometimes is). It might be the case that the person has other motives … like a husband/father that stays at work late every night to avoid the wife and kids, or a woman who is afraid of commitment trying to find an excuse for why she hasn’t met someone yet. Just my two cents. :)

]]> By: Cathy http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43047 Cathy Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:18:35 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43047 Gosh I can relate to this post. I dislike to do anything unless I can do it with passion. Balance is something so very subjective. From the 'outside' I don't know how I may seem, except always busy and working on the next idea. I know I sometimes feel unsatisfied if I do too much of one thing and other passions are left to one side, not given time. Interesting that you are also a garden designer as gardening and textiles for me have many similarities. Thanks for a thought-provoking post. Gosh I can relate to this post. I dislike to do anything unless I can do it with passion. Balance is something so very subjective. From the ‘outside’ I don’t know how I may seem, except always busy and working on the next idea. I know I sometimes feel unsatisfied if I do too much of one thing and other passions are left to one side, not given time. Interesting that you are also a garden designer as gardening and textiles for me have many similarities. Thanks for a thought-provoking post.

]]> By: Cassandra http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43046 Cassandra Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:16:19 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43046 Do you have a before photo for the baby? :) I know one or two workaholics who are not in it for the passion, but the money. I guess you could be passionate about money, but these people are not happy as far as I can see with their working life. I'm glad you enjoy yourself, it is wonderful to see what you come up with! Do you have a before photo for the baby? :)

I know one or two workaholics who are not in it for the passion, but the money. I guess you could be passionate about money, but these people are not happy as far as I can see with their working life.

I’m glad you enjoy yourself, it is wonderful to see what you come up with!

]]> By: elaine http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43032 elaine Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:03:21 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43032 Most of the world is filled with people who do not have work that they are passionate about and that gives them energy rather than take it away. A lot of times I think, people who are passionate about their work, get compaired unfairly to workaholics who use their work to avoid. The beautiful work I see, and the loving details, the careful thought, and the way you engage the world, take it in and apply it to your creations, shows a person who has a joyful and fulfilling focus of how they choose to spend their time on earth. I think balance is fluid and changing. If you stay in a constant state of balance, how can you explore the heights and the depths? I think balance is a guideline, and not a permanent place to be. I like to think of it as home base. Anyway, I love your work, the joy, the humor, and the exqusite detail. Most of the world is filled with people who do not have work that they are passionate about and that gives them energy rather than take it away. A lot of times I think, people who are passionate about their work, get compaired unfairly to workaholics who use their work to avoid.

The beautiful work I see, and the loving details, the careful thought, and the way you engage the world, take it in and apply it to your creations, shows a person who has a joyful and fulfilling focus of how they choose to spend their time on earth.

I think balance is fluid and changing. If you stay in a constant state of balance, how can you explore the heights and the depths? I think balance is a guideline, and not a permanent place to be. I like to think of it as home base.

Anyway, I love your work, the joy, the humor, and the exqusite detail.

]]> By: jacqui http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43026 jacqui Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:22:08 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43026 Whatever it is called I am jealous. I read your blog, sharonB's blog and I see the amount of work, artistic achievement and a love of life which I would love to achieve but somehow can only look in from the side lines. Not that I don't have periods of working hard but I can never sustain it, I will always be distracted by something or other. Anyway, basically, don't worry about it and just count your blessing, you are not me, looking in. Whatever it is called I am jealous.

I read your blog, sharonB’s blog and I see the amount of work, artistic achievement and a love of life which I would love to achieve but somehow can only look in from the side lines. Not that I don’t have periods of working hard but I can never sustain it, I will always be distracted by something or other.

Anyway, basically, don’t worry about it and just count your blessing, you are not me, looking in.

]]> By: Jennifer http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43018 Jennifer Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:43:31 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2007/11/reworking-and-balance-vs-passion/#comment-43018 Well, the distinction I see between being passionately involved with/devoted to your work, and being a workaholic, is the distinction between joy and blind pursuit of a known or subconscious goal. A workaholic, as I see it, is NOT living a life of joy, is not enjoying the long hours spent at work, but is instead doing a kind of grim march toward -- more money? -- more prestige? -- less involvement in the difficult parts of life? -- less involvement, in meaningful ways, with other people? Does that make sense? Well, the distinction I see between being passionately involved with/devoted to your work, and being a workaholic, is the distinction between joy and blind pursuit of a known or subconscious goal. A workaholic, as I see it, is NOT living a life of joy, is not enjoying the long hours spent at work, but is instead doing a kind of grim march toward — more money? — more prestige? — less involvement in the difficult parts of life? — less involvement, in meaningful ways, with other people? Does that make sense?

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