Passion, February 2014

"You know the Greeks didn’t write obituaries. They only asked one question after a man died: ‘Did he have passion?’”  -Dean, from the movie Serendipity

Last year, poignant words about passion came flowing out of me as I wrote the Publisher’s note for February 2013. I had just come off of a weeklong trip of solitude and writing. In addition, I was enjoying newly found success in my weight-loss journey, as I fit into size-10 jeans, a huge improvement from the previous size-18s. Passion filled me. I was on-fire, and when I penned the words below, uncontainable passion oozed out with them.

This year, I find myself in a very different position. I feel flat, uninspired, overwhelmed, and far from passionate. There are few things that I can rely on to get myself fired up again, however, words usually work best in stirring my soul. While it is usually words from sources other than myself, this poem, if you will, about passion moved me, even as I wrote it. That is why I decided to share it again. I plan on reading it everyday, until I feel passion re-enter my being. I encourage you to read them, too, either to help you stay passionate or get passionate. Having passion isn’t negotiable; for life without passion is cheating your soul.

❱ Passion is a fiery word.
It’s an emotion that evokes desire deep within our bodies. It is soul stirring.
Sometimes gut wrenching. Always moving.

❱ Passion stands up for what it believes.
It gets what it wants. It is decisive and clear. It is sure and knowing.

❱ Passion is alive.
It courses through our veins. It causes us to throw our hands in the air and firmly declare, yes!

❱ Passion is exciting.
It does not know boredom. It is full of enthusiasm and never thinks enough is enough.

❱ Passion is deep.
 It is big. It is powerful. When unleashed, it never plays small.

❱ Passion betrays defeat.
 It does not see failure as the end, only as the beginning of a new trail.

❱ Passion pushes us to do things to which we may otherwise cower.
It takes us to a new level…a level we didn’t think ourselves capable.

❱ It is hard to sit with Passion because it gets you going.
It arrogantly leaves procrastination, apathy, and fear in the dust.

❱ Passion is a gift.
It fills life with life. It has heart. It is both palpable and infectious.

❱ Passion is free.
It lies inside of us in waiting to find someone and something to which it awakens.

❱ Passion is playful.
It is also intense. It can be uncomfortable. Mostly it is unstoppable.

❱ Passion hits the ground running.
It pushes us across the finish line. It knows not only how to play the game, but it plays to win.

❱ Passion shows up as a sparkle in your eye, a feeling in your gut.
It slyly peeks through your smile and fills every cavity of your being.

❱ Passion puts bounce in our step.
It leads the way. It boldly takes us by the hand and confidently, without hesitation, says, “Let’s roll. We got this.”

❱ Passion is yours.
May you always have it, for without passion, it is hard to feel alive.

Think Pink,
Elizabeth Skenes Millen