Okay, so the question is...
What is it that makes me want to live a passionate life?
I like questions like this that remind me to reflect on how I’m doing in the passion department, because it’s so easy to get caught up in the hum drum of the daily grind and fall prey to the pessimism and negativity that bombards the senses from all around, and even from inside (that inner critic).
I suppose passion has a lot to do with how you operate in the world from moment to moment. I mean let’s face it we all have good days, bad days, exceptionally great days, and days that seem too difficult to bear.
Yes, we’re living in hard times, the world is changing at an exponential rate and there is no way to put the breaks on. That is a harsh reality. We hear it every day standing in line at the grocery store or at the bank, in conversations with coworkers and colleagues, and our family gatherings are sprinkled with political debates. With that said it is certainly a challenge to find people who are optimistic these days, and yet even in the midst of all this turmoil we still need to find a way to move forward with passion and optimism.
I realized that I had to find a place in my life where I could find encouragement beyond my present company. So hear it goes people. Yes, I believe that place was, is, and will always be through God. Worry not -- I’m not going to start preaching here. I’m just recognizing that God’s passion is the greatest passion of all, and by allowing his passion for us to fuel our own passion then we are choosing to live with positive purpose.
So, how do I answer that question? What is it that makes me want to live a passionate life?
Wow, to publicly pronounce my answer to this question brings up some old fears inside of me – “unabashed commitment”. As I sort through my heart’s greatest desires, my dreams, and my wishes my answer is actually quite simple. The desire to experience “True Happiness” within each day -- whether that comes from helping my teenage children feel more confident in themselves and celebrating each of their tiny & giant successes with loud music and jumping up and down like crazy people, finishing a meaningful painting that inspires others, dancing a romantic two step with my husband, laughing joyfully with good friends, embracing imperfection with a sense of humor, having the guts to admit something that I did wrong and asking for forgiveness, letting go and handing over a heavy burden to our Heavenly Father, making a positive difference (big or small) -- it really doesn’t matter, so long as it’s real.
But I think the real key to all this passion is in taking the time each day to recognize and give thanks to everything that brought me “True Happiness” on that day.
I suppose passion has a lot to do with how you operate in the world from moment to moment. I mean let’s face it we all have good days, bad days, exceptionally great days, and days that seem too difficult to bear.
Yes, we’re living in hard times, the world is changing at an exponential rate and there is no way to put the breaks on. That is a harsh reality. We hear it every day standing in line at the grocery store or at the bank, in conversations with coworkers and colleagues, and our family gatherings are sprinkled with political debates. With that said it is certainly a challenge to find people who are optimistic these days, and yet even in the midst of all this turmoil we still need to find a way to move forward with passion and optimism.
I realized that I had to find a place in my life where I could find encouragement beyond my present company. So hear it goes people. Yes, I believe that place was, is, and will always be through God. Worry not -- I’m not going to start preaching here. I’m just recognizing that God’s passion is the greatest passion of all, and by allowing his passion for us to fuel our own passion then we are choosing to live with positive purpose.
So, how do I answer that question? What is it that makes me want to live a passionate life?
Wow, to publicly pronounce my answer to this question brings up some old fears inside of me – “unabashed commitment”. As I sort through my heart’s greatest desires, my dreams, and my wishes my answer is actually quite simple. The desire to experience “True Happiness” within each day -- whether that comes from helping my teenage children feel more confident in themselves and celebrating each of their tiny & giant successes with loud music and jumping up and down like crazy people, finishing a meaningful painting that inspires others, dancing a romantic two step with my husband, laughing joyfully with good friends, embracing imperfection with a sense of humor, having the guts to admit something that I did wrong and asking for forgiveness, letting go and handing over a heavy burden to our Heavenly Father, making a positive difference (big or small) -- it really doesn’t matter, so long as it’s real.
But I think the real key to all this passion is in taking the time each day to recognize and give thanks to everything that brought me “True Happiness” on that day.
That, to me, is living a passionate life.
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3 comments:
I love your post. For me .... what makes me want to live a passionate life?
There are many fingers to how I live a passionate life. I will just mention this but you may have sparked some more thoughts to add to my journal. =)
It is to see the joy, excitement and contentment of the people around (be it family, friends or strangers) of their moment by moment accomplishments or simple joys of their moments.
I love the energy and joy that people get when they see, experience and share the things that give them the most joy and happiness.
Just today it was the joy and excitement of a little boy who excitedly called me over to his computer to show me proudly of him completing a level of a reading game online. He kept coming to tell me about that accomplishment randomly throughout the rest of the day.
If only we (within ourselves in our most delicate moments) also shared and experienced that much joy and excitement in the smallest part of our days with those around us. What a life we would live! What amazing passion we would exude to those around us. In turn just possibly changing the hearts and minds of those around us in even the most simplistic ways. By sharing those joys and accomplishments just maybe would change their perspective or their attitude if not for that moment in time.
very well said, Anissa. Good to hear from you -- hope all is well.
That was beautiful.
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