The Power of Passion
Sunday, June 8th, 2008
What role does passion play in your life? What role does passion play in achievement? What is the relationship between being passionate and being spiritual?
I have asked myself this several times throughout the last year or so, but today I witnessed the results of passion. As I sat in awe of the performers of Riverdance, as the energy brought tears to my eyes, it struck me – nothing great is ever achieved without passion.
What makes someone keep going in striving to reach a goal when there is nothing else left? What makes a young dancer keep going in spite of the odds that s/he will not reach a position of privilege in a dance company or show? What makes a researcher discover breakthroughs in medicine that will benefit millions of people? What makes a teacher stay up to all hours of the night painstakingly putting together curriculum that inspires even one student who will change the world? It’s passion.
Passion is the fire to have such single-minded focus that you can’t imagine failing. It’s just not an option.
Passion is the reason to keep going when it just doesn’t make sense to continue.
Passion is the difference between “a good job” and “achieving beyond your wildest dreams.” Passion is the difference between existing, “doing all right”, and really living.
Passion is fragile, it needs to be nurtured, and sometimes the most adverse of circumstances provide the fuel for the fire. I think of upcoming actors and how the odds are so against them even landing a paying gig, let alone winning an Oscar. BUT, it happens (one example is, of course, my all-time favorite actor Matt Damon J). Is it dumb luck? Maybe there’s a little bit of that involved. Is it talent? There’s probably a lot of raw talent that is required. But what good is luck and talent if a person doesn’t have the fire to get up everyday and follow through on what needs to be done, to take action? Matt Damon sure didn’t get where he is by sitting on his butt and eating cheese doodles all day. (and trust me on this, you won’t get where you want to go by doing nothing, either)
Instead, in spite of all odds, he had the passion to stick it out when common sense (or maybe people in his life) should have told him to quit. (disclaimer: I am not suggesting that Matt Damon doesn’t have common sense, because I think he’s lovely). And he is not alone in his achievement. I think of people in other industries, with other talents, who have taken a passion for something and turned it into something BIG. These people definitely march to the beat of their own drums, because following your passion isn’t for conformists, weaklings, sissies or “yes” men and women. It takes courage to follow that fire in your belly, especially when the people whom you love the most are discouraging you. Perhaps they think they are doing you a favour, giving you a reality check – or maybe they can’t imagine a life that is beyond the confines of what they already know. In the end, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, because this life is yours, and if you don’t live it, no one else is going to do it for you. And wouldn’t it be unfortunate to reach the end of your days, and look back and regret the chances you didn’t take?
After seeing Riverdance today, I had to sit down and evaluate what the heck passion means to me, and how it is related to the more spiritual path I’m trying to forge. I realized that passion for me means rediscovering the lost part of myself that is bigger than the desk job where I spend 40 hours a week. It is honourable, this work I do, we do, whatever it is. To be responsible, to contribute to society, to pay our taxes - there is nothing wrong with that. That in and of itself, however, is pretty dull. There are some of us who want MORE, and there’s nothing wrong with that either. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we followed our hearts and dreams and contributed with all of the passion in our bodies, instead of grudgingly giving 40 hours a week and hoping to win the lottery so we can quit and do what we really want?
Maybe the lottery that’s really worth winning is the one where the winner takes a chance and does what he loves, and loves what he does. Perhaps the real challenge is to admit what makes our hearts sing, and find a way to partake and be responsible to ourselves? I’m not talking about being selfish to the point where your family suffers. I’m talking about building something for yourself that helps you be the best person you can be, so you can give the best of yourself to yourself, to those you love and to the world. Wouldn’t THAT be fantastic? Our world could be a true utopia if more people contributed their unique passions and talents.
What I do know is that passion can be lost, found, born, altered – it changes because we change as people as we go through various rites of passage and life stages. That’s OK, it’s healthy and normal. What I think is important is that you look at who you really are at this very moment (because Now is all there is), as difficult as that may be, and admit what sets your heart ablaze. You don’t have to tell anyone about this, it’s none of their business. The sooner you get real with yourself, the sooner you start living according to your passion. When you do this, you will begin to live life more in tune with your spirit.
