Passion Defined

Photo by Dale de Vera on Unsplash

Deep conversation with someone today about what inspires him led me to considering the idea of passion. There are many folks who say they are passionate about climbing or another particular sport, or perhaps it is dance or art. I considered what am I passionate about? The question became even more interesting when I decided to write to sift through my thoughts on passion. 

The latin root of the word passion is pati which means to suffer, or to endure. The willingness to persist despite the suffering is the expression of passion. Passion is also defined as 'an intense emotion compelling action.' If you consider both these ideas as true, passion is not comfortable. It is not necessarily inspiring. It requires endurance of will and determination. It requires suffering.

The real question then is what am I willing to suffer to achieve some outcome. It is an interesting question. I believe there are degrees of passion. At one time I was so passionate about climbing, testing climbers, coaching, I was willing to live in a car and make very little money to climb and be in the company of other great climbers. 

The evidence is available to each person if they take a moment to reflect on where they have been most uncomfortable and yet were willing to be uncomfortable in the pursuit of some goal. Taking a more holistic perspective of one's choices also illustrates which passions required more discomfort and thus had greater rewards. For example, there can be a goal to get on the podium at a particular competition requiring a great deal of training and development, all of which - if done right - is uncomfortable. And there can be simultaneously the goal of academic achievement requiring long study sessions, going to class, and doing the work. Both require time and attention. Both may require discomfort, or suffering to achieve. The one you are willing to endure more for is the one you are more passionate about. 

The passionate life is not an easy life full of joy and bliss. The passionate life is full of purpose and discomfort. Purpose is what gives life meaning. The idea that we can live quietly and contentedly is a challenge. At least in North America we are breed on the idea of productivity.  Academic diligence is born for the end result of a good paying job and solid career. Sports are not for fun, sports are for winning or performance gains. Even the practice of Yoga in North America became about the performance, not the true nature of connecting mind, body, and breath.

When we are successful - when we have endured enough, we will have all we want and then we hope that some part of us will feel fulfilled. But the part will forever be empty if what we pursue is not something that gives us fulfillment or aligns with our values. This is where many make the mistake of enduring for some degree of wealth or recognition that in the end doesn't make one ever feel satisfied. Or working out of alignment with what one values can lead to incongruence in feelings and satisfaction. 

So let this post challenge you...
Where are you willing to endure uncomfortable feelings for some defined outcome?
What gives you a sense of fulfillment?
What do you value?
Consider all three questions because through the search for the answers you might just narrow down what matters most for you to pursue.