Let’s Talk Passion (Or Not?)

Hey there, wonderful people! So, here I am, jumping into the ever-revolving door of the ‘Follow Your Passion’ advice. Feels a bit like 2005.

Look, I get it. Passion can be this elusive holy grail that everyone’s chasing after like it’s the lost treasure of Atlantis. We’ve been bombarded by well-meaning bloggers and coaches telling us that passion is the secret sauce to living our best lives. But let’s be honest for a second – is it?

I recently did some digging on Medium and found a refreshing perspective—more folks are coming out to debunk the myth that passion alone is the key to success. THANK GOODNESS.

Passion is not the magical ticket to your dream life or a cure-all for your woes. Let’s shift the narrative, shall we?

Here’s a thought: Instead of paying a hefty fee to find your ‘passion’ (unless you’ve been on a dopamine rollercoaster since your early 20s), why not just… live? Engage in activities that naturally make you feel alive. It could be as simple as enjoying a joyful moment with loved ones or discovering a new hobby. Maybe even just, dare I say it, getting laid.

Passion, in its raw essence, is merely a powerful emotion—be it joy, anger, or love. It connects us to our ‘why’ and fuels our journey through life’s hurdles. But it’s not enough to talk about passion; it must be felt deeply.

Focus on these positive sensations: Awe, Confidence, Contentment, Courage, Curiosity, Ecstasy, Euphoria, Excitement, Gratitude, Happiness, Hope, Interest, Joy, Love, Pleasure, Pride, Relief, Satisfaction, Self-confidence, Surprise, Trust, Wonder, Zeal, Zest. Find three that resonate with your recent experiences.

Remember, success is not just about passion. It’s about understanding your motivations, embracing positive emotions, and living life on YOUR terms.

So, what does passion feel like to you? Let’s hear it (no sexually explicit details, please). And hey, if you think I’m off my rocker or hitting the mark, let me know. I’m all about that direct, witty banter without the sprinkle of ‘Social Work-y’ formalities.

In love and passion (or a bit of both),

Daniel & Ibrahim

P.S. Live, love, and learn a life that’s unapologetically YOURS.

Sadly there’s a mountain of well-intended passion poop across the blogosphere. Why is that? So little on the subject is earth-shattering news unless you’re from the village of Pollyanna or new to the planet.

Could it just be me? Have I evolved so much over the years that I’m utterly bored with the subject? (As I am with many over-published topics these days.)

Let’s Shift

There is value in defining passion simply. But for Allah’s sake, don’t pay some life coach (or therapist) to help you find passion unless you’re a recovering addict who can’t feel excited anymore because you’ve damaged your brain’s ability to produce dopamine-sorting coke up your nose since you were 21. But I digress.

Spend your money on something that will elicit a powerful feeling (naturally). Or better yet, get laid—there, I said it! Class dismissed.

passion - păsh′ən noun

• A firm or powerful emotion.
• A powerful emotion, such as anger or joy.
• A state of intense sexual desire or love.

There you have it; end the story now, go out, play with the other mortals, and have fun BEING alive.

One does not talk about passion; one feels passion. So stop talking and start feeling—got it, my friend?

Passion connects you to your ‘why.’ It’s the force that powers your ability to overcome obstacles. Passion is a feeling - positive or negative. It’s cravings and aversions.

Wait, Daniel-Ibrahim. Did you say earlier that talking about passion is BS? So why are you talking about passion now? Fair enough. Let me segue into the topic of emotions.

Feelings, as a subjective representation of emotions, are often private to the individual experiencing them. However, emotion is often the driving force behind motivation, whether positive or negative.

Perhaps coaches talk about passion because it’s a powerful motivator, and they figure talking about what motivates you is the solution to getting you off your sorry ass. -I can say that because I’ve been there and done that often.

Capture the physical sensations in your body related to what you’re feeling now. Perhaps journal your answers and look for patterns (keener).

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