Although used interchangeably, there is quite a distinction between passion and purpose. Without going into too much detail: passion is more about emotion, that is, how we feel about what we’re doing. It’s what motivates us and makes us feel good. It gets us up in the morning. On the other hand, our purpose is “why” we do what we do. And while both are uniquely important, we’re going to focus on our passions in this article.
If you’ve ever felt as though life doesn’t make much sense or as though you’re drifting kind of aimlessly, in spite of having a great job and a lovely family, then what you might be missing is a real passion. Having passion in your life is often the secret sauce to finding true happiness and there are many reasons that this is the case. If you’re wondering what it means to have a real passion and why it’s so important then read on and begin to discover what really matters.
What is Passion?
Passion refers to almost anything that you feel super excited about and again anything that makes you eager to get out of bed in the morning. It gives your life meaning and can push you towards being a better version of yourself. Passion is a strong emotion that can give you immense pleasure when all is well and can keep you in the fight when things aren’t going so well. I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but this something that, well, I’m super passionate about.:)
Everyone has different passions and there’s no limit on what you can be passionate about, or on how many passions you can have. For some, music is the burning passion that drives them while for others it’s might be volunteering or building businesses or Game of Thrones.
Really it doesn’t matter what you’re passionate about but what matters is that you have things that you feel completely excited about and that you allow yourself to feel strongly about them.
5 Good Reasons Why Passion is So Important
1. Passion Gives You Something To Look Forward To:
“I think that everybody needs four things in life. Everybody needs something to do regardless of age. Everybody needs someone to love. Everybody needs something to hope for, and, of course, everybody needs someone to believe in.“
Having passion ticks off all four of these boxes. But for the purposes of this discussion, passion gives you something to do regardless of age and something to hope for or look forward to. Having a passion – even one that other people don’t find exciting or understand – will give you tons to look forward to and to be interested in. Even if your passion is simply watching old mystery movies, it means that you’ll have something to do in the evenings to look forward to excitedly.
2. Passion is Important for Happiness:
Always keep in mind that ultimately you are responsible for your own personal happiness. Yes, others can add to your joy but at the end of the day creating a happy life is your responsibility. Passions can help do just that. Indulging in your passions can be a huge boon to happiness. Why, because you “love” it and it brings you joy. Now I’m not suggesting that indulging in your passions is the complete guide to happiness. What I am saying is that it is a vast, often overlooked component of happiness.
3. Passion is Important for Personal Growth:
Passions tell us about ourselves and they force us to grow. You might think that some passions are better than others because maybe they allow you to serve others or make money, but nothing could be farther from the truth. If bird watching is your passion, that could give you more pleasure than growing a small business. Both passions are equally important and both passions can challenge your personal growth. While growing a business can challenge you in ways that center around organization, time management, and the ability to closing sales. Bird watching can create new connections in your brain while learning the names and other details of the various species. Both can lead to mastery.
4. Passions Can Give You a New Direction in Life:
Suppose you start to feel passionate about stopping global warming. That can give you a mission. Suddenly, you are no longer just living life from day to day, instead, you are working towards a goal and for an important cause, that’s bigger than yourself. This is passion can cause you to feel motivated and important, as well as provide a sense of direction.
5. Can Help You Find Your People:
Having passions can open up new social circles for you. There’s nothing more refreshing and inspiring than finding people who share your common interest. This couldn’t be more true when pursuing your passions. We are all so different. What might cause one person to jump out of bed in the morning, might cause another to simply yawn and pull the covers over their head. Or worse, look at you like you have grown two heads when you excitedly share your passions. This is why it is crucial while you are nurturing and growing your passions, to find your people. Everybody needs somebody to get excited about what they’re doing. So it’s awesome when you can join a group that shares your unique passion. While passions can be adventurous and have you all over the place, it’s stabilizing to find others who are as obsessed as you are.
Final Thoughts
Passion is contagious! There’s nothing more awesome than inspiring those around you. That’s exactly what will start to happen as you take bold steps and indulge in your passions. You will literally affect everyone in your life. When you show for yourself on a consistent basis and take action on your passions, those around you will not only notice but might even decide to add a little passion to their lives as well.
Be well + prosper,
Elaine (the passionate one) xx