Imagine walking away from your life to pursue...life. Four guys, recent college graduates, have done just that. Some might say they've put their life on hold for a lark, but they aren't seeing the bigger picture.

Brett Farmiloe, the founder of Pursue the Passion, wanted to learn what professionals were passionate about and decided to journey across country to find out. He, along with three other talented college grads, have set about doing just that - traveling the country, meeting, learning, experiencing what a passion for life and career looks like and feels like to people in the US.

Stephen Hopson told me about them this past weekend. He actually met the guys and they crashed with him over the holiday prior to the A/C compressor issue on their vehicle that led them to sleeping in the parking lot of an auto shop last night.

Check out their site. They have a complete e-book that chronicles their travels in 2006; photos, interviews, experiences.

Let's be honest - haven't we all wanted to do just that - chuck it all and EXPERIENCE life first hand? When I was fifteen the woman who lived next door allowed two guys to move their newly purchased used school bus into her backyard so they could spend the summer turning it into a mobile home. Bill and Bob who were 20 and 22 were like a magnet for this nubile teen. Much to my parent's dismay, I spent the entire summer helping whenever I could. Just to be near two people as brave as they were was exciting. They planned to travel the country when the renovations were complete.

They worked hard putting in a bath, living and sleeping areas and even brought in a used upright piano. It was heaven on wheels.

I lived in Cleveland, OH at the time and by summer's end the job had been completed and they set off for their journey. This was 1973 - a time for striking out against the "establishment" and just livin' life to the fullest, man. Groovy.

Off they went to cheers from the neighbors and sighs of relief from my parents.

They made it as far as Toledo, Ohio before the bus died a painful and terminal death.

Although they may not have traversed the geography Pursue the Passion has over the past two summers, the journey that Bill and Bob took was filled with as much passion. The lessons learned; plumbing, carpentry, neighborhood tolerance (or intolerance as the case may be) and achieving a goal - we all walked away with a gift that summer fueled by their passion.

My hats off to Pursue the Passion and their quest and I will enjoy following the second half of their 2007 journey as they reach the East coast and head back home.

What do you have a passion for? Has passion died a silent death in your life? Stoke the fire and get that passion back!

Deborah Chaddock Brown
Writer