Following my Salsa Passion

Author: Josie Neglia I came across an article that made me shake my head today. It said "DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR PASSION" because often it's silly and "No one will pay for you to teach it or write about..."

I STRONGLY DISAGREE! We must do what we love! We cannot stop what our inborn passions are, so there must be a reason for them to be there in the first place!

22 years ago, I loved SALSA DANCING and followed my passion. I was formally trained in ballet and modern dance and teaching ballroom full-time at a studio and no one offered SALSA dance classes. I went out social dancing to Salsa clubs every night that I could (sometimes 6 times/week). Many thought I was wasting too much time dancing Salsa in clubs. What good can come from that?

One day, I began teaching my own Salsa class and received a positive reception. Although I never envisioned it as a source of income, which was not my primary goal, I started to get more and more of a demand for classes. My aim was to impart the joy and happiness that this passion brought me, and to show others what they were missing out on!

Then I produced an instructional Salsa video that was intended for my group class students… little did I know that it would make $1,000,000.00 in sales and award me with invitations to world travel with great pay!

If someone said “Don’t follow your passion for Salsa because no one will pay for a video on dance lessons!" or "The money is in ballroom dancing”, I never would have made the first video.

Do what you love and the creative path will follow in how it can be lucrative by filling a need in that passion.

Also, working at anything on a daily basis can get difficult at times and will present natural obstacles, wouldn't you rather work at something you are passionate about?

Although many will give you advice about making sure there is money to be made before you follow your passion because they want you to take "the SAFE path", unfortunately "SAFE" is never the road to brilliant success because we never know what can come out of something that was never done before!

It is essential to acknowledge that true success often stems from pursuing what ignites your inner fire. While conventional wisdom may suggest opting for a secure and stable career path, the most groundbreaking achievements frequently arise from individuals who dare to embrace their passions wholeheartedly. By immersing yourself in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, you not only enrich your own life but also have the potential to impact others positively. The story of venturing into Salsa dancing despite initial skepticism serves as a potent reminder that unconventional paths can lead to remarkable outcomes. It underscores the importance of trusting your instincts and staying true to your passions, even when faced with doubts or discouragement from others. Transforming a personal passion into a successful business venture showcases how following your heart's desires can be truly transformative. It proves that by aligning your actions with your deepest passions, the universe has a tendency to reward your commitment and genuineness in unforeseen ways. So, the next time you encounter naysayers questioning the viability of your passions, remember this tale of Salsa dancing success as a testament to the boundless possibilities that unfold when you dare to pursue what truly sets your soul on fire.