The word 'passion' seems to have strong connotations of sexy-times. It's linked almost inextricably to the idea of romantic love, but passion goes so far beyond loving someone intensely. Dictionary.com's first definition of passion is, "any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling." 'Powerful' being the operative word. People with passion have the power to keep themselves going long after the less dedicated have fallen by the wayside. Passion makes things happen.
But passion for me, as someone smack bang in the middle of infamous gonna-wreck-everything Generation Y, is something I have to keep reminding myself that is okay to have. Okay and necessary! You want to keep a blog going where you put in hours of effort and get diddly-squat in terms of monetary recompense, you have to be passionate about it.
And yet, for such a long time, passion has been uncool. Cool is measured in nonchalance, effortlessness - the total opposite of expressing enthusiasm. Kids who get excited about something are geeks. It's so hard to break away from this mindset when something comes up that excites you, with god damn indie kids lounging disinterestedly at every turn, flicking their cigarettes and going, "The Drones are okay, I guess, but not like, great."
But passion is an irresistible force. Even indie kids feel it. Exhibit A: Mr. President-Elect Barack Hussein 'Awesome' Obama. He connected with a Gen Y audience because of his passion. He ignited the desire to do something about the future of America in the young and apathetic who have sighed and rolled over in response to other presidential candidates' attempts to engage them. If you watch Obama - or, for that matter, anyone - talk passionately about something that means a lot to them, be it freedom or Haleem's Taj Restaurant's beef vindaloo, you want to keep watching. Passion resonates with people.Maybe that's why some of us are so scared of it. Just like everything, we're afraid to commit, scared of being tied down to something we can't get out of. So we feign indifference, and miss out on the vividness and electricity that comes with being passionate. In this case, it is just like love. If you are scared of it, you miss out on so much.
So get passionate. The world needs you to. Remind yourself that it's okay to feel something about the things that matter to you. Be enthusiastic. Be aggressive about your ideals. Make a difference.
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I'll make a difference I promise you :)
Sam, I love this entry. Last year in particular I really became concerned with being passionate about the things I do. The word in itself is so powerful - two s's, the big NNNN at the end, paSSSSSioNNN! When I say it I feel a blooming inside me (and I don't care if it sounds silly!). Passion, in my mind, takes the form very swift, deep river that no one wants to dip their toes into, but without it I think we would all be parched.
And what is wrong about getting excited, anyway? The part about geekiness and enthusiasm - so true! I am such a geek. SUCH a geek. I went to Game On yesterday and was squealing and talking to myself in my joy at playing retro video games at my childhood. And about books. And even, just leaving home for the day, passing under the trees and hearing their whisha-whisha, makes me feel passion.
And now, going to go watch Obama's inauguration of Youtube. Stay passionate Sam!
As someone who is fairly frequently referred to as a geek (not least by myself), I am SO with you here. Passion is what makes me go full tilt on things I like. Usually that enthusiasm fades and I find something new, but WHO CARES? When I like it, when it inspires me, I am happy to admit I am realy, scarily, forcfully passionate about it.
It's a good way to live your life!
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