The ancient Greeks didn’t write Eulogies. They asked just one question when a man died…”Did he have passion?” – Serendipity 2001
Artwork & all Content © 2010 Jean Burman
Passion is power. It’s the spark that lights the fire… that drives the engine… that powers the purpose… that gets the whole darned show on the road. But it’s a risky business. Seriously. Hopes and dreams will be quashed. Hearts can and will be broken… [probably more than a couple of times!] But what are the choices here? Honestly… there aren’t any.
Because a life lived without passion is a life half-lived.
There is no secret to having passion. Anyone can have it.
It’s a choice. An attitude. A viewpoint.
“Passion makes the world a better place. It gives [every] job a purpose. It warms the heart. And nourishes the mind. It lights us up from the inside out… and elevates an ordinary everyday into an extra-ordinary experience”
Passion.
Anyone who gives a damn has already got it.
Anyone who ever achieved anything has had to [firstly] find it.
Anyone who wants it badly enough can go within and get it – [you can't look for it on the outside - because you won't find it there]
And it won’t always be easy.
Passion challenges the status quo. It asks the difficult questions. And demands an adequate answer. It holds us to account. It keeps it real. It forces the hard decisions. And offers impossible choices. But it also shows us who we are…. or who we could be… and the stuff we’re really made of!
Passion makes every single thing in life worthwhile. It delivers energy enthusiasm drive and follow through. [It goes without saying that when you love something you're going to want to do it well and often!]
Passion and greatness are within the grasp of everyone. And by greatness we’re not talking fame… [big difference - grin]
Anyone can be Famous… not everyone will be Great!
Passion can be found in the smallest of places… in the humblest of circumstances… and in the darkest of situations. It’s not the job… it’s how you work at it!
The possibilities and opportunities for anyone who wants to find their passion are endless. So here’s the challenge… if you’re brave enough [and you haven't found it already]
Look for the passion that will make your life great!
No matter how hard it is to find.
No matter how long it takes.
No matter how much it might hurt.
No matter how many times you might fail
… or what you might lose.
No excuses.
No regrets.
Because there can be no regrets in the quest for a life lived with passion. There is no downside.
When we do the stuff we love… and surround ourselves with the people who make our heart sing… we will see ourselves for who we really are. And if we have found our passion… and lived it well… there’s a pretty good chance we will like what we see!
So waddayareckon? Do you want to go out with your heart on fire and your wheels still spinning?
Okay… I’ll race you to the corner!
You start (((chuckles)))
Aunty Heather is 96. She lost the love of her life 4 years ago… but continues to paint.
She recently swapped her oil paints for acrylics.
She loves how the brushes wash out in water!
I just love her!
Comments [as always] are very welcome…
or as you might have noticed I now have a little doover [aussie slang for thingamebob]
below which you can click on to share this post on Facebook or Twitter if you enjoyed it here.
Up to you… but I’d kinda like to see if it works! [grin]
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay… it works! Thanks Joh for tweeting this post… I really appreciate it! Wooohooo… we’re up and tweeting
It’s not exactly the same, Jean, but I’m reminded of these lines from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.
Driven, inevitably, by passion.
That’s beautiful John. And on target as well. Persistence pretty much always follows passion.
Come to think of it… these are the two human qualities I admire most. People with passion and persistence are wonderful fun to be around. They’re inspiring. I also admire honesty and integrity. But they are much harder qualities to find these days. Sadly.
Loyalty is another quality I have come to really admire and appreciate these days… and I am so lucky to have it from key people in my life. They stand shoulder to shoulder with me and for that I am ever grateful. Life sure isn’t easy [for any of us]… but if we’re passionate about the good stuff… the other stuff kind of melds into the background. It overrides everything.
Anyone else noticed this?
Probably not.
I’d guess almost everyone has experienced it, but maybe not exactly noticed it. Does that make sense?
Yes it does… and I have noticed that. It’s been my experience too! [[[chuckles]]]
[Thanks John for answering... even the curly questions without an answer. I appreciate that!]
“Curly questions.” I like that!
Excellent essay! … and yes, Loyalty is right up top in my book … alongside Integrity.
P.S. I love Auntie Heather also.
Thanks Vernita
I appreciate that!