If you know anything about me, you probably know that I love space. 

(If the word love even does it justice). 

The cosmos are my passion. Ever since I was a child, I have loved the stars, the planets, rockets, and anything and everything that is encompassed by space and space exploration. This passion is a vital part of my life. 

I have more space posters and memorabilia than anyone I know. My dorm room/cubical walls are decorated with space collages. I have a decent collection of space trivia and facts stored in my brain, (just in case I am ever on Jeopardy). I also do a lot relating to space, from my internships and projects, to the organizations I am a part of. 

I really love space. 

     (You get the point)

Most people have interesting reactions when they discover my love for space. Whenever I move back to campus and get a new set of roommates, their outward expression to my public display of cosmic love is usually curious but supportive. They, like many others, find it interesting. And more often than not, when people do discover my passion, I hear something along the lines of “It is amazing that you love something so much”, among other things. 

This is one of the blessings of having a passion. Statements like these started in high school with my love for physics. I would absorb physics literature and books with such wonder and excitement, much to the puzzlement (and amusement) of my peers. They always thought it was funny and awesome that I had found something I loved SOOO much, when most of them were still trying to decide on a college major. 

But this trend persisted even through college, when more people have a sense of what it is they want to do with their lives. People were still remarking on my love for space, and I discovered that even though I was in college, a lot of people had yet to discover their passions. This discovery was one that did, and still does, sadden me. I truly wish everyone could find what they love as much as I love space, and be able to incorporate that in some way to their daily lives. My passion for space brings me a lot of happiness, and I know it is something I will always have. It is truly a blessing to have this passion, (especially when it brings about unexpected friends and opportunities). 

But having this passion isn’t always a blessing. Sometimes, it can be a curse. Don’t get me wrong, 99.99% of the time, my passion for space is a blessing. But it can come about to bite me. 

Have you ever loved something so much, it becomes all-consuming? 

Space is an all-consuming passion of mine. It is not to say that I don’t enjoy other things; I love to dance, rock climb, read, and go on adventures and explore the outdoors. But my love for the cosmos affects me in ways that I would have never anticipated. 

An example: my passion for space has evolved into a HUGE love and appreciation for this planet. This makes me very conscious of my everyday decisions and how they can impact the planet. That being said, that also means I am very conscious of what OTHER people do to impact the planet. This constant awareness can be depressing and on occasion, angering. But this can be a post in and of itself.

The biggest way my passion can become harmful is when it absolutely overwhelms me. Because I love space, I have a *slight* problem saying “no” to anything involving space, or just letting other things go. Sometimes, my projects can take over my life in a negative way, to where I am balancing a million precariously balanced china cups, trying very hard not to let any of them break. This can be stressful, and although I usually have a GREAT ability to balance many things and succeed in all, it is very demanding and will usually take a toll in some form or another. 

Overall, my love and passion for space is wonderful, and I wouldn’t want to love it any less. Just like everything else in life though, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

Can anybody else relate? Are there blessings and curses to any of your passions?