A Passionate Passion

            I’m a passionate person who is passionate about sharing that passion with people that are equally passionate about learning my passion for passions.

            Have I said the word passion enough times yet?

            Well it’s still probably still less than the number of times I've heard it used in quotes, seminars, or ‘how to be successful in life’ lists.

            Passion is supposedly more important than almost anything else. Brush honesty and kindness away for a second, it seems that in order to do anything anywhere, one must pinpoint their passion.

            And hey! It’s true!

            Seems strange doesn't it? That even though I’m quite irritated with the word ‘passion,’ I am still able to admit that without it, life is dull. Maybe even pointless.

            See, passion is the thing you could do all your life. It is writing, dancing, playing football, studying chemistry, teaching, or folding origami. It could be anything; your passion is the thing that comes most naturally to you.

            Have you always been exceptional at the piano? No matter how hard it was, you always enjoyed it? Then your passion is probably piano. Maybe.

            It’s a complicated business this passion thing.

            They say that if you find your passion you will never work a day in your life. That your job will be like having a party and getting paid for it.

            Oh but I fear that this belief is a slippery slope to disappointment.  

            Here’s what I've come to conclude: sometimes your passion can feel like work.

            They don’t tell us teenagers that, because then we might give up.

            You don’t tell your two-year old that the cough medicine is 99% likely to taste like the inside of a Windex bottle, you let them figure it out on their own, because that is more likely to yield results.  

            Sometimes when I sit down to write, which I think is my passion, the words just don’t come. Every sentence sounds oh so stupid. And I get frustrated. Maybe next time I think about finishing the piece, I’ll get a little lazy. I’ll remember that I was struggling and might even put off coming back for a while.

            But it doesn't mean I’m not passionate about it.

            Just as the river of love never did run smooth, the road of passion probably has pot holes and toll booths. But doesn't mean you’re going to give up.

            It’s your passion because you can only take a break for so long. It’s your passion because when you come back, it feels natural again. And even if it doesn't, you keep coming back anyway.

            I went for a while thinking that finding my passion meant instant happiness and never working another day in my life (okay, I’m only not even an adult, and I've barely worked at all, but you know what I mean.)

            I've learnt that dedication, perseverance, and especially hard work are just as important as the mighty “passion.”

            They just aren't mentioned with the same admiration. Passion is always up on stage, all smiles and curtsy, a little over advertised. But dedication and hard work are the back stage hands that make the show go round, without them, passion is just a pretty face.