Just watched this short Ted talk and it was really appropriate for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MBaFL7sCb8&index=1&list=LL9mvsi7mnNANWXd-mXOQZkQ

A lot of times, I feel bound to find/capture that "one singular" passion, even though that sort of thing is a lie, and in most cases, very unhealthy.  Western culture is especially guilty of this, I think. We reward and idolize people with these singular pursuits (at the expense of everything else in their lives).  Who cares if the person is a terrible human being if the movie/music/art they make is wonderful? Who cares if they still live in their parents' basement if they know how to tweak Serum just right and spend 18 hours a day doing just that?  Who cares if the person is unhappy and unfulfilled and depressed...the music they're making sounds great!

I tend to see other people's lives, whether it's celebrities or even friends of mine in town, as better than they actually are. It's as if I see their lives through rose-colored glasses.  I idealize their lives, their marriages, their careers..  but the reality is we're all struggling. We're all imperfect. There is no perfect marriage, perfect life, or perfect passion.  There are warts and periods of uninspiration and our creative lives (and lives as a whole) are characterized by the struggle..the perseverance.

I suppose there's beauty in this.  Trials build character and serve as the makeup for our composition as human beings. It's precisely our imperfections that make us human.  So let's do ourselves a favor: Be nice to ourselves and enjoy the ride.

Passion is not a job a sport or a hobby. It is the full force of your attention and energy that you give to what is right in front of you.

Hmm. this was an interesting view. Thanks for this insight.

Pretty interesting interview.

Success or excellence in any field wouldn't be possible without thousands of hours of practice. Yes it's unfortunate that Joel doesn't have developed social skills.