Sunday Snippet: Annabel Karmel

“Follow your passion. Figure out what you love, who you really are. And have the courage to do that. Courage is the greatest of all virtues because if you haven’t got courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.”

When we were kids, many of us had these big, bold dreams about who we were going to be when we got older. We were going to be astronauts, firefighters, professional wrestlers and cartoonists. It all seemed within reach and yet so few of us actually followed through on our dreams. Instead, reality hit us like a ton of bricks and many of us settled on more “reasonable” careers.

There’s nothing wrong with being grounded in reality, but that does not mean we should give up on our passions. Even if you only pursue “what you love” as a hobby on a part-time basis, you can unlock a world of fulfillment and joy. You just have to be brave enough to follow your dreams, even if they may seem difficult or unreasonable.

British author Annabel Karmel has penned several books on cooking for babies and children. Many of her books have become treasured resources for families all around the world who strive to provide nutritious meals for their little ones. Annabel is passionate about good food that even the fussiest of children might enjoy.

It’s a career that she loves and it’s one that gels with who she “really is.” Discovering our true selves can be challenging at best and it’s a journey that can take longer for some than others. Once you do unearth your calling, though, you need to give it a fair shake. Be brave. Be courageous. Be daring. And under these circumstances, you may learn you have more skills, talents and virtues than you could have ever imagined.

The fact of the matter is that life is too short to waste it away doing things you abhor. You don’t want to be lying on your deathbed wondering what could have been.