Feb02

Publisher - February 2021

Pub0920“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—


I wrote the following words, which somewhat turned into a poem about passion, several years ago. 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 size18s. I felt alive and happy and I was filled with hope.

I sat down to write, and the words flew through my brain at lightening speed, as though something above or beyond was in control. At that point, my job was to type…fast! I was “on fire”, and, when I penned the words below, uncontainable passion oozed out with them. I have had a few times this has happened, and while in the flow, I just type feverishly. Usually, when I re-read the words, I burst into tears. This was one of those occasions. Whether it is the release of the pent up emotion, or exhausting energy by being the conduit between thought and paper, this free flow of words is a huge blessing and a cool thing to experience.

This year, I find myself in a different state of mind. I feel stressed, overwhelmed and un-certain—all emotions that suppress passion from your inner being. I’m still passionate about the magazine, there are just more hurdles to jump over than ever, which ignites these wobbly emotions that sway my thoughts from positive to negative.

There are few things I can rely on to get myself fired up again, however, words usu ally work best in stirring my soul. While it is usually words from sources other than myself, the poem I wrote about passion still moves me every time I read it. That is why I am sharing it again. In hopes it will help you regain some passion, too.

We are living in a time when it is hard to get passionate about much, because in the back of our minds, we are all wondering if, or when, the rug is going to be pulled out from under us. So the best defense is to get your head—and heart— in the game and play offense. Suit up in armor to protect your passion to keep it alive and well, even in uncertainty.

Pull out all the stops to stay filled with passion and hope, and get excited about your purpose, your dream, your job, your life, because life without passion is cheating your soul

The Flow of Passion

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 and arrogantly leaves procrastination, apathy and fear in the dust, screaming, “See ya later, suckers!”

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

Passion is free. It permeates our souls, lying in wait for us to wake up, and not only see our full potential, but come alive to it and ask it to dance.

Passion is playful. It is also intense. It can be uncomfortable, but 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 con-fidently, 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.
It’s time to live it up! If not now, when? Come on, Girl, pull out your passion. It looks great on you!

Think Pink,
Elizabeth Millen