Passion is the heart of creativity, motivation and the call to action in your work. It’s the essential source, the bottomless well of energy you draw from to discover and develop your talents. Passion drives us, often relentlessly. Here’s the paradox - passion is a double-edged sword. If unexplored, ignored or unexpressed, passion can lead to great suffering. This is the basic nature of passion - it cuts both ways.

How do we discover and experience passion?

We experience it differently. To some, it starts as a “still small voice,” a continual whisper that beckons attention and curiosity. A tap on the shoulder. Others may feel a vague, unquenched thirst for something “more,” causing them to seek greater fulfillment. To others, a strong passion makes itself known quite clearly and an obvious path is recognized.

Most of us aren’t child prodigies. The discovery and exploration of our passions is a lifelong pursuit. The search is itself the journey. Each experience builds on the last.

Manage your passion - with care

1. If you stuff it down, passion will resurface again and again until you give it play and acknowledgement. If the desire is intense enough, passion will hound you and follow you until you give it the legitimacy it deserves.

2. On the darker side - it’s called “burning passion” for a reason. If passions go unvoiced and unrealized, burn out and despair will follow - profound sorrow and regret over the potential that is lost. A high cost.

3. Passion is something inside you. It’s a deep, meaningful interest that begs to be developed into something tangible. You can implement it in countless ways, including a livelihood. It can also be part-time or full-time work, a hobby, reading and exploring an interest, volunteering, participating in special interest groups, creative activities, online venues - many outlets.

4. Working with passion will serve you well. Harness and channel its energy wisely. It’s the most powerful driver of creativity. Your passion will give you the enthusiasm, momentum and persistence to achieve your goals, even in challenging times.

5. Accept support from loved ones, friends, colleagues, work life professionals and other resources. You’ll gain insight from their helpful perspectives.

From here, what’s next?

There is much written these days about finding one’s passions and working with purpose. It reflects a deep need in people now. I believe you can discover your passions and put them into actual practice - for your own growth and to benefit others. We’ll talk more about how to do this in upcoming posts.

“Blessed is he who has found his work. Let him ask no other blessedness.” (Thomas Carlyle).

Today’s question

Do you have a strong passion that you’re not exploring or expressing?