What encourages you to do whatever it is that you love to do? I mean, what sets your soul on fire? What inspires you? What gets you excited all over again, like you were the first time you realized how much you love to do “your thing?”

For me, “my thing” is writing. I’ve always loved to write. In middle school, I had a teacher who noticed my love for writing and always encouraged me, and even sent notes home to my Mom telling her I had a real talent with words. I journaled every day for years (a habit I wish I could pick back up, but just haven’t had the time since Landon was born, ironically when I need to be journaling the most). I have used Coffee Date With Kate for several years as a way to share both deep thoughts and convictions and favorite recipes and travel photos. And lately, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what it is that drives me to write and refuels my passion in the “dry spells.”

When I think back to my childhood, I see a love that has remained throughout the years, that I now realize has shaped my passion for writing. That is, the love of reading. In elementary school, I couldn’t wait to walk in a single-file line to the library every week to pick out the next Boxcar Children book. Yes, we had a week to read the book we picked out, but I had finished mine the day after I picked it out. I could never put them down once I got started.

I don’t read Boxcar Children books anymore, but I still love to read. Everything from Nicolas Sparks to Lysa Terkeurst fills my bookshelves (and coffee table, and nightstand…) and then, of course, there’s also a long list of blogs I follow daily. So, what I’ve realized, is the more I read, the more I write. There’s a correlation for me between reading a great book that I just can’t put down and opening my laptop or sitting down with my journal and a pen. Something about a blank page, just waiting to be filled, really does thrill my soul.

Now that I realize that I am inspired and driven to write in this way, I feel like I have almost a responsibility to take the time to refuel my spirit and keep the fire burning. I think it’s really important, whatever “your thing” is, to figure out what ignites the passion, keeps you in love with that thing, and makes you better. Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers.