"Find what you love and love it to pieces." When I heard these words from 103-year-old Dr. Gladys McGarey, they resonated deeply with my own life experience. Her wisdom doesn't stop there – she emphasizes that the "Three L's" are the key to a happy, long life: Life, Love, and Laughter. These elements, she insists, fuel passion and make every day exciting. At 60, I can attest to the truth of her words, as I've never understood the concept of boredom, having discovered and nurtured my true passions through these very principles, for all these decades.
I remember the countless times my five children would come to me with that dreaded phrase: "I'm bored." Standing in a house filled with toys, video games, and endless possibilities for creativity, these words would always perplex me. "Are you kidding me?" I'd respond, gesturing to the abundance of entertainment surrounding them. It wasn't just about having things to do – it was about embracing life fully, finding joy in the moment, and letting laughter fill our days. Eventually, each of our kids found their calling, their passion in life.
My own journey of purpose filled with passion began in 1983, when I discovered the profound spiritual connection of Sharing the Joy of the Rosary. Six years later, I started Making Rosaries myself, and these twin pursuits have remained constant companions throughout my life. Time seems to dissolve when I'm Making Rosaries, stringing beads together in prayer, each Rosary a physical manifestation of my faith and dedication to my Lord and our Lady. The hours slip away unnoticed, my mind and hands working in harmony to create something very meaningful for someone else to enjoy. This is what Dr. McGarey means by truly living – being so immersed in what you love that time becomes irrelevant.
Writing came into my life simultaneously, becoming another spectacular avenue for expression and connection for me. From maintaining a blog for over a decade to publishing three ebooks, words have been my faithful companions. Each piece I write is a thread in the tapestry of shared experiences and spiritual growth. Through writing, I've found ways to express love for the life our Lord has given me and my faith that fills my heart and soul; oftentimes weaving moments of joy and laughter and even sorrow into the stories, and experiences I have lived. The reward of writing isn't monetary – but in the act of sharing, with the intention, to help someone, I may never know - this is my connection formed through my thoughts and my faith with others.
Dr. McGarey's emphasis on the Three L's – Life, Love, and Laughter – provides a perfect framework for understanding why certain pursuits become lifelong passions. When we approach our interests with a sense of wonder (Life), deep appreciation (Love), and joy (Laughter), they transform from mere hobbies into sources of endless fulfillment. Her vitality at 103 proves that age is no barrier when you embrace these principles fully.
Building and growing relationships through these pursuits has been the greatest reward. I am surrounded by some of the most amazing friends (sisters and brothers in Christ) that anyone can be so blessed to know. They are my family in the Lord. Whether it's through the Rosaries I've made, the words I wrote, or the faith I share, each passion has created ripples of connection that extend far beyond my immediate circle. These amazing people in my life, have enriched my life, by sharing laughter, deepened by love, and made meaningful by fully embracing life in all its dimensions, with Jesus and Mary at the center.
Life truly is what we make of it. When people tell me they're bored, I often wonder if they haven't yet discovered their true passions, or if they're missing the essential ingredients of life, love, and laughter in their pursuits. The most profound joy often comes not from constant external stimulation, but from immersing ourselves in activities that allow us to express all three L's authentically.
As I look back on decades of Rosary-Making, writing, and sharing my faith, I'm filled with gratitude for having found these purposes early in life. They've provided a real sense of meaning and connection that makes every day an opportunity for growth and joy. Dr. McGarey's wisdom reminds us that life's greatest satisfaction comes from finding what we love, diving into it wholeheartedly, and embracing it with all three L's – bringing life, love, and laughter to everything we do. When we approach our passions this way, every day becomes an adventure, and boredom becomes impossible.
©2025 James Dacey Jr.
