My wife just shared with me a sad story about a woman getting killed in a freak accident while walking down the street in NYC.
Uncontrollable events like this happen all the time and they remind me of the fragile and fleeting nature of life and the importance of living it to the fullest now. If you're still putting up with a mediocre life in hopes of getting something out of it at the end, please reconsider.
One way to live a fulfilling life is to ...
... follow your PASSION.
Passion is one of those words that people use often without really understanding the original meaning of the word. When most people refer to "passion", they use it to mean strong emotions reflecting an intense desire or boundless enthusiasm (At least, that's how I've always heard it used).
It was only after reading Aspire by Kevin Hall and confirming with the dictionary, did I realize that "passion" originally meant:
A Willingness to Suffer for What You Love
The most famous example being the passion of Jesus Christ. This definition has changed my perspective on passion. I no longer use it to describe something that I feel strongly about or that excites me. I use it to describe an activity, goal or cause that I care about so much that I am willing to suffer for it. This new standard makes it easier to discern whether something is truly my passion or simply a strong interest.
People who make a difference in their own lives and the world do so by following their passion. This means making the conscious decision to give up other enjoyable activities to focus your energy on the most important activities. Great parents naturally do this when they have children and similar to raising kids, doing what you love is very hard work yet rewarding at the same time. The good news is when you pursue your passion, you'll not only like where you end up but enjoy the journey along the way.
Look at your life and highlight the things you love that you're willing to suffer for. This self-reflection will give you insight into what you're passionate about. If you're not sure, just pick something you enjoy and see if you're willing to give up other activities to spend more time on it. Remember that in life you can choose and change your actions - just also keep in mind that you're responsible for the consequences.
Don't settle for a life that is only so-so.
Start living your best life today.
“There comes a time when you ought to start doing what you want. Take a job that you love. You will jump out of bed in the morning. I think you are out of your mind if you keep taking jobs that you don't like because you think it will look good on your resume. Isn't that a little like saving up sex for your old age?”
-Warren Buffett
For those of you who read the entire article or just scrolled to the bottom, here is a bonus word (also from Kevin Hall's Aspire):
Compassion = Com + Passion = Willing to Suffer with Another
If you want to show true compassion, share in the suffering of the other person. Interestingly, when we all become more compassionate, there will probably be less suffering in the world.
Photo by Andreas Schalk
Passion is also related to “obsession” which is a “preoccupation with an idea” or a “willingness to pursue that idea at any cost”. Great post, Robert.
Thanks George – your comment reminds me of a nice book I read titled “Magnificent Obsession”. Worth the read when you have time.
Yes I’ve heard about that book. And there’s a movie version starring Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson apparently. I’ll think I’ll borrow both at my local library. Thanks for recommending Robert.
I didn’t know they made a movie – let me know what you think when you get a chance to check it out. Congrats again on your new book!
Thanks Robert. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Great post. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thanks Gbeh!
Passion is pushing through thick and thin, through the dark tunnel to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Very true Damilare!
I believe you are dedicated towards your goals to serve humanity without any discretion and provide the reader golden opportunity to do the needful for less fortunate section of the society.
God bless you very nice article.
Great read, Robert. Really looking forward to more. I just recalled this speaker called Moustafa Hamid from Passion Sundays I came across in Dubai. Anyway, would love to read some more.
Thanks Natalie!
Thanks for a much needed clarification of passion. In today’s world, where ease, comfort, feeling good, being happy seem to have become synonymous with a ‘good life’ this deeper satisfaction of creating meaning by following a higher purpose (and all the suffering it brings) is poorly understood and poorly appreciated. (Stoicism has something of a popular revival, but I’m not sure how deep it goes.) I think we also need to teach our kids this. It requires fortitude and courage to be able to take the different forms of suffering that ‘passion’ brings. There is a deeper satisfaction on the other end – even if you never reach the external goal you had envisioned. It’s a process. It’s also often a very lonely journey. I think the book Gumptionade is a very helpful book for adults who have the ‘gumption’ to live with passion, and be motivated to stick with it.
Thank you so much for sharing this Asa. I completely agree that we are all meant to contribute in our own special way and that following your passion is as much joy as it is hard work. I look forward to reading gumptionade.
I came across your blog post while looking for a definition of passion that would make sense to students in grades 4 through 8 who will be asked to write a short essay (2 typed pages) on: What are you passionate about? How can you use your passion to bring a diverse group of people together? To build community?
The genesis for the essay topic is a student supplement that focuses on African Americans who have brought together diverse communities around an issue or their passion. How have they been brought unity among diverse cultures.
I’m not sure students in this grade range would understand what they are being asked to write about as the topic is currently written. Any thoughts on clearer verbiage? Please know that although this is a program revolving around African Americans, the essay contest is not limited to African American students.
Thank you for your question Sharon and it’s great that you are having this contest. You might want to consider a broader version of the definition of passion focused on one’s interests.
Wow I came through this post looking for a clear meaning of passion and I found it Im sure I’m no longer going to be confused about what I’m really passionate about in my life. Thanks for sharing your insight with us, this is already helping me in identifying what is my purpose on earth and what I am really passionate about.
It is a Michigan only contest, however.
Great article! I stumbled upon this when I was searching for the meaning of passion in my life. Thanks so much for your great insights! I look forward to reading your book:)
Thanks Bridget – glad this perspective was helpful for you.
Thanks Robert.
I think all Artists, including chef, Teachers, Social workers, Patriots soldiers are the best examples of Passionate.
The Goals and Desires are so strong that people are ready to suffer, struggle to achieve their desires.
It’s very true Vidya – the roles you highlighted certain demonstrate a strong willingness to suffer for what they believe in or want to accomplish. Thank you for sharing.
Wow! I find this piece of work to be quite enlightening. Your post really hits home with my own current situation as I have found out recently that my passion is blogging. It seems no matter where I am or what I’m doing at the current moment, I cannot seem to think about doing anything else but blogging. I personally find that passion is a feeling that’s so strong and overwhelming that you don’t even think about sleep or food when you are working on it. It just keeps you going throughout all hours of the day. I find it to be on the outskirts of obsession. I personally could talk about being passionate all day but considering that it’s 2:00am where I am right now, I will do my best to what’s best in the interest of my health and get some rest. 😂 However, if you are interested in hearing more on my thoughts regarding, “passion” you’re more than welcome to check out my blog post at:
http://brittaswalkthetalk.com/2019/05/passion-and-what-it-means-to-be-passionate
Thanks for sharing Brittanie – glad you found the post helpful and it’s great to see the passion you have for your work
Hello everyone, how can I find my passion as I am doing several activities like drawing , singing , dancing and swimming and I don’t feel like anyone of these is my passion because I fed up after a certain time ?
Hi Bochra- think about what you’re willing to put in the time for. What activities don’t you get fed up about?
Robert
Great article!
It’s really an insight, I picked some point that would change my entire life…. I now know the best definition of the term “Passion”
Thanks Chris!
This really confirmed my conception of what passion is. Thanks for this body of work.
I love this Write up, am move by it and I have seen something different in on the definition of passion.
Thanks Amarachi!
Great summary a bout passion but how can l find my passion since l love football but my elders are telling me that l can’nt succede in it and they donot support me to play football .they are telling me to do a medical course,agriculture or business course but l will have to make my own money finance all these.
@A Willingness to Suffer for What You Love. I am not sure I see passion in such a positive light. Passion has something compulsive to it. Isn’t it more the “necessity” to suffer for what you love and the “need” to pursue an idea at any cost? Or maybe even the “need to suffer” because you think this is what you have to do in order to receive love? Inside of passion there is desperation (for love). My take: if you can’t find passion, be grateful. Go for joy, it’s much easier. :-)
That’s an insightful comment Joseann – joy is good target to have!
Wow what a great article.
Thanks for sharing such deep insights into the meaning of passion. I couldn’t agree more.
Thanks Willis!
It’s really amazing reading this page.Thanks so much
Hi thank you for the article. I understand your comments and a lovely read. I hear that is a definition coming from Jesus and the passion of the cross, who suffered for us.. I do feel though there is a fine line between obsessive passion which is when you suffer and harmious passion when it is balance. Is there truly suffering in passion?? And does that link with the belief that it has to be hard to do what we love, societal belief maybe?? If we follow our passion the effort seems to overcome the suffering and in that is joy?? Interesting concepts to debate. Thanks
great food for thought Ersilia and I agree that any quality can be less helpful if it’s not balanced
I came across this post after having listened to my role model pastor Sarah Jakes,she was speaking about passion and then I decided to go deeper in understanding this word passion.I then came across this Post .Thank you Mr Robert ,this has really been helpful, will read your books
Glad you found this helpful Clare! Best of luck to you!