The power of a passion project

A few days ago, I caught a case of the winter blues, so I asked God why.

Why do I get randomly depressed and don’t wanna do anything (yet, I want something to happen?)

I didn’t understand. Like Job of the Bible, I was blessed but felt forsaken by God with the plague that is my OWN mind. I self-imposed anxiety.

You’re sitting on so much potential but you’re ruminating in your own filth, like self-limiting thoughts about not being good enough (thanks social media!)

But you can skip the pity party. How?

You need a goal that you’re nearly obsessive about. Because it leaves no room for demon-possessing thoughts to invade your mind.

What do they say? “Idleness is the devil’s playground,” and your mind is the local park.

This goal of yours should be difficult, yet rewarding.

And no, your normal obligations don’t count because they don’t light up your spirit. For you, your job may or may not be the thing that gets you out of bed with a spring in your step.

For me it’s not unfortunately. I love my job but it doesn’t excite me anymore. But I always praise God every morning for my blessings because, without them, I’d be worse off. 

We’ll consider the goal, your “passion project” or super hobby, that revitalizes your zest for life. It’s not something that can be given to you or taught, no. It’s something that burns from within, like a fire in your belly that you cannot contain.

This is your quirky interest or combination that you enjoyed as a kid or late art form that you discovered during the pandemic when you had nothing else going for you.

It gives you this spark of joy.

Not for some grand result like financial freedom or overnight success, but a visceral feeling of joy. Like you were MEANT for it.

Could be writing a newsletter, creating YouTube videos, coaching people, cooking organic home meals, or guiding families to find their dream home. Doesn’t matter. But it’s gotta be super personal. And it doesn’t have to fit into a box that society has deemed as “proper”.

Fuck all that. So what is your quirky interest?

Mine is creating something meaningful. This newsletter, the YouTube videos I post. Not for what it looks like that the end but the process of learning and researching the truth.

That is my invigorating interest.

It’s selfish, but I’ve tried to turn it into some business venture that unfortunately has watered down its creative edge. 

But if your interest has turned into a job, there’s hope. How? You don’t need to monetize it, yet (or ever honestly).

Bring back that curiosity to simply explore and get lost in the process. Let it take 2 weeks or 2 months. Fuck a “consistent” schedule, this is YOUR craft. That’s the whole beauty of it. The fact that you can make it UNIQUELY your own.

You don’t need ANYONE’s permission to do it.

Just God’s blessing, but He’s already given it to you. Through the pure excitement, you get from within. From simply partaking in the art, the craft, the muse of building the thing, or facilitating the thing that you were MEANT for.

So when you’re feeling low, depressed, or repressed from the world, set some time aside to PLAY, like when you were a kid or that season when you lost track of time because of your immersion in the thing.

This is a reminder for myself to just write. Just film. Just create a visual from the muse of the Holy Spirit that’s untapped within us.

Because we are creators.

We are created in His image, so we can imagine a new art form in a way that only WE can do as individuals.

And collectively, we can share each experience and honor Him and each other with these gifts.

So don’t wait (or ruminate) or you might let the goons in. Shut them out with your light and creative spirit.

Stay clear, calm, and creative,

Brand Marz

What I’ve been up to:

Spiritual development

Reading the bible daily

• Chronological Bible - 365-day plan

• The New Testament - 90-day plan

Why?

To get to know the Word and Jesus. I never gave the Bible a chance because of the perceived effort but there’s no excuse now. I’m going straight to scripture to learn the Truth instead of relying on influencers.

I’m super-setting that with ACIM (A course in miracles)

Not scripture-related but I like contrast while keeping the source (Bible) in mind. It’s a bit more new-agey but without that self-absorbed fake spirituality feel. I’ll keep you posted on this.

Muscle and movement training

I love HIT training but it’s gotten a bit dull for the multi-passionate, ADHD mind.

So I’m doing a more hybrid program where I incorporate HIT for exercises that were improving well and using 2-3 sets for body parts that need more work and repetition for the neurological effects (i.e. upper back and scapula exercise to improve my posture).

As a desk junkie, I’d like to look better because I’ve always been on screens since childhood.

So I’ve made a point to get more movement into my day since I work from home.

Homeschooling my son

I don’t know how to label myself anymore but as a non-conventional family, we decided not to fuck with vaccines and the typical school system. 

So we’re doing things our way with home school and let me tell you, it’s hard.

It’s not easy getting a kid to sit down and learn. But we don’t always need to sit and listen. We’ve been doing things outside and getting interactive with his projects and extracurriculars.

My wife and I alternate days where we teach him different subjects for a minimum of 20 minutes. I don’t believe kids should be sitting at desks for 6-8 hours a day. I don’t know how I did it.

So again, we’re experimenting but will update on progress.

That’s it.

Thanks for your patience with my infrequent posts and hope you’re thriving personally.

January is almost over.

Reply and let me know what you’ve been up to this year.

See ya!