What overtakes us when we’re in love? What is this passion, this force that motivates us to set ourselves aside?
What you don’t understand is
I’d catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for ya
I’d jump in front of a train for ya
You know I’d do anything for ya
Read more: Bruno Mars – Grenade Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Last winter, after a ridiculous ice storm, I got out of my warm home for two reasons, both for love. Early that Saturday morning, I went to watch my oldest son walk across the stage with the other college graduates. I wouldn’t have missed it. No matter if there were Zombie attacks, apocalypse, earthquakes, or whatever. I love that boy.
Later that day, and not a bit warmer, I stood in a line wrapping around the corner and along the side of The Brady Theater. A drizzle of ice was falling, but my friends and I stood and waited and shivered. Why? Our favorite band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, was playing for the Rockin’ Christmas concert.
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles
To fall down at your door– Proclaimers
Passion motivates us to do many things. And you can’t fake it. I’ve tried to be passionate about something, but there’s no life without love. No zest. It’s an internal motivation that can’t be bought or borrowed. Forcing yourself to complete a task you hate is sometimes necessary, but you won’t hurry up to do it again, and the time spent doing it is draining. Exhausting.
I’m currently reading a book called DO NOTHING. It’s a very Zen or Taoist concept. I’ve played with this notion for years, as I’m sure you have too, but I think I understand it now. So I stop grasping at every loose end and unfinished task. Focus on what’s the most important and the jobs that are led by my motivation. Two questions have stuck with me from an old time management book,
What gets you up in the morning? What keeps you up at night?
These are your passions.
Further reading:
Disclaimer: This is from 2014, but it still seems relevant today.
janetkwest.com 