Mind Body & Spirit

“The Greeks don’t write obituaries. When someone dies they simply ask, did they have passion”

Passion. This one word has the potential to create more possibilities in your life than anything else does. When we look at many of the great achievements throughout history, we see they have come about largely due to that precious ingredient called “Passion”. Passion gives us the fuel to get through our days with abundant energy, to reach higher and push farther towards our dreams. Why is it so difficult for many to find it?

The thirst to define our lives in our own terms dissipates as we age. It begins to dissipate as our belief system is affected by input from the world around us. However, there is good news. You can teach new tricks to an old dog. We can overcome the self-limiting behavior created by outside influences. The process of creating our own authentic vision, enabling us to live a life of passion, begins first by posing the question: “why?” Why am I doing this? Why am I moving in this direction? Why am I not feeling satisfied? Most of us float along in the jetstream of public opinion, receiving what we get in life by basing our hopes and dreams on the opinions of others.

By taking the time to ask “why”, we begin the process of moving towards connecting with the passion that is inside all of us. Our passion, or vision, motivates, inspires, and provides the fuel to achieve everything we pursue, for our own reasons, in our own voice. It is the key ingredient to a life well lived.

Many people struggle with trying to find their purpose in life. They believe there is a distinct difference between purpose and passion. Here is the reality. There does not have to be a difference. We are the only species on earth given the ability to choose. There is no master plan in the universe for what you should be in life. The direction of your journey and your purpose is entirely within your own control. It is very liberating to know your direction is not something that you have to find “out there”, but rather discover “in here”.

Learning to quiet your mind, making it possible to connect to your own authentic voice, is the most effective method for discovering your passion. It is inside. It has always been there, but has become silenced from the input of the world around you. To begin the process, set aside 10-15 minutes each day to explore your inner thoughts and feelings. Try to separate your own voice from the voices of society that fill your sub-conscious. I am often asked, “How do I do that?” While attempting to discover what moves you, simply ask yourself this question: “Is this thought my own, or was it put there by society?” Many times the desires we believe are our own are, in reality, just a reflection of what society has told us we should want. An original desire is something you want purely for yourself, and not for what the world will think of you if you achieve it.

Finding your passion is the first step. You will know it when it begins to unveil itself. There is no mistaking the feeling. The emotional pulse changes from “have to” to “love to.” The next step is breathing life into your passion. Once you have found your passion, guard it with your life, and don’t fall into the trap of setting false timelines. Unlike achieving a set goal, passion is something that cannot be tied to your blackberry.

One of the most powerful examples of this philosophy came from the book Good To Great. During research for the book, author Jim Collins interviewed John Stockdale who was the highest-ranking officer held in POW camps during the Viet Nam war. What he discovered was astounding. Jim Collins asked John Stockdale how he survived such horrific conditions of torture, starvation, and disease over 8 years when almost all others died. He replied it was because the others were optimistic. Shocked by the answer, Collins asked him what he meant? Stockdale went on to explain the others who died set false benchmarks as to when they would achieve freedom. They would say, “I’ll be out by Christmas, or my son’s birthday, or by my anniversary”. When those dates passed, they became defeated and eventually lost their will to live.

John Stockdale focused on an absolute and unwavering belief that he would be free. He did not know how or when, but he absolutely believed that one day he would be free. This focus allowed him to persevere and achieve his goal. The same holds true for all of us who set out to achieve our grand vision of living an authentic life with passion. Maintaining a steadfast resolve to continue along the path is the key to achieving it.