Embrace the Joy of a Passion-Driven Life
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
By Mickey Mikkelson
Embrace the Joy of a Passion-driven Life
“Let go of the linear life. Grab life by the coattails, and follow where your passions lead.” That’s the life advice from Karen Dustman, whose passions have swept her far from a traditional straight-and-narrow path.
She’s crewed on a square-rigged sailing ship. Ridden cross-country on a motorcycle (one she reassembled herself from a basket case). Built and renovated multiple houses and apartments. Taught herself to wire houses – and wrote a book to explain the basics of home repair to other women.
Astonishingly, she’s also chalked up an enviable list of professional achievements: a diploma from UCLA Law. Acing two state Bar exams. Years in the courtroom as a criminal prosecutor and an elected DA. But the life landmarks this creative powerhouse is most passionate about sharing with other creative, high-energy women aren’t about those high-powered chops. Instead, Karen warms most as she tells you about her decidedly off-the-beaten-path life.
Risk-taking wasn’t necessarily in her genes. “I was raised – like so many women -- in a family that prioritized security and predictability. The question was always, ‘what will you be when you grow up?’ And the assumption was that it would be just one thing,” Karen says with a twinkle.
So, how did she break free and spread her creative wings? “I think it was self-preservation, in a way, because I hate to be bored,” she chuckles. “It hasn’t always been easy to let go of the fear of doing something ‘different’ or ‘being different’ from the norm. But over time I’ve come to trust my inner guidance system. It’s that gut feeling of passion that tells me an opportunity is something I really want to pursue.”
And where do those passion-filled opportunities come from? “Sometimes fate knocks you over the head and a rare and wonderful chance simply comes to you, or inspiration can seize you in the most unexpected ways,” Karen says. “My decision to go to law school, for instance, came about almost by accident. I was telling an old boyfriend he ought to be a lawyer because he was such a tough arguer. And he said in, an off-hand way, ‘I don’t want to go do law school. Why don’t you do it?’ Something in my head went, ‘Huh! I could do that!’ The idea just had this instant, surprising appeal. And I listened.”
But sometimes the passion flame has already been lit and it’s up to you to find a way to make it happen. And that can be tough, Karen acknowledges. “We’re always our own worst enemies. It’s so easy to think of a million and one reasons why something can’t work and why we can’t do the things we really are passionate about. Changing that internal dialogue to simply say ‘it’s possible; I just don’t know how yet’ is sometimes the magic we need to find a way forward.”
One message that Karen’s eager to share with other women is it’s never too late to embrace a new career or new set of goals. “I loved building houses, loved riding motorcycles, and loved arguing in a courtroom – well, most of the time, anyway,” she chuckles. “I’m so happy I did all those things. And now I’m thrilled to be a multi-book author pursuing a whole fresh passion.”
And that brings up another piece of passion-pursuing advice Karen is eager to share, this time about being willing to multi-task.
“Even while I was working full-time, I had a driving passion to write a book about a local ghost town. I knew it wasn’t something a traditional publisher would ever touch because it was such a niche topic. But nobody had ever written in depth about this particular ghost town before, and I fell in love with its history. Embracing that goal meant had to teach myself about self-publishing software -- an awesome tool once you’ve gotten it under your belt, but a tough thing to learn. And writing the book turned into a nights-evenings-and-weekends project for eight very long years. But my passion for the project kept me going, and in the end I came out with something even more valuable than this particular book itself; I knew I could replicate the experience and write and publish even more books!”
And write and publish, she has. Karen’s currently enjoying another inspiring round of professional success as an author, including a three-book series of Southern mysteries, a similar trio of time-travel romances, and a brand-new nonfiction book on Miami’s 1926 hurricane – just in time for the tragedy’s centennial. All told, she’s penned more than 25 fiction and nonfiction books. Not bad for a girl encouraged to embrace “a” single life path.
Karen hopes her non-linear, passion-driven life will inspire other women to choose passion and adventure, and to let go of the “normal”straight-line life. “When we allow tunnel-vision to dictate our future, we close off important pieces of ourself,” Karen reminds us.
“Embracing the unknown can allow you to explore the many different parts of yourself that you’re passionate about. And ultimately it’s our passions that make life not only fulfilling but fun.”
These days, Karen and her husband share their California home with a sassy, too-dang-smart African Grey parrot named Rocky (who makes cameo appearances in her mysteries). And following her own advice, she’s still multi-tasking. Her current passionate pursuits? A fourth Southern mystery novel; a 1930s women’s historical; and a collection of true, untold tales about courageous women who wouldn’t behave. Because, as she says, she’s having “way too much fun to stop writing now.”
Connect with Karen on her author websites, KarenDustman.com and AbbyRiceAuthor.com, or visit her indie press at Clairitage.com.
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