"Whatever you decide to do in life, just be passionate about it… Don't be intimidated by competition, as success is sweeter and failure less bitter when you have given everything. You have to be true to yourself -- it's your life. You are the masters of your destiny and passion, not pedigree, will win the end."
Jon Bon Jovi addressing Oxford University's prestigious Oxford Union debating society, June 15th 2001.
Passion is such a good indication of purpose because it’s so irrational. Passion is great because it breaks down the linear nature of existence that our society tries so hard to indoctrinate people with. What I mean by that is, we are told from an early age that we must do this, or do that. We are given tasks that we must accomplish and we are measured or judged by how well we go. That is, good, bad, mediocre, which box do you fit into?
“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art”
Leonardo Da Vinci
In this sense, life becomes very linear or one directional. It’s hard just to ‘be’ when someone is always asking you what you’re doing. Passion breaks this down because when you’re passionate about something you’re happy just to be in it. That’s not to say that it’s not nice to win at something you’re passionate about, or to be acknowledged for it, but it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t happen. If you’re in line with your passion that’s enough.
So, take yourself off somewhere quite and start by writing a list of all the things you’re passionate about and simply love to do.
For example I love:-
- any form of motor racing or speed orientated pursuit
- being in nature
- building and creating things
- ancient traditions, ceremonies, shamanic practices
- new cutting edge technologies
When you have created this list then ask ‘What have I been good at in my life?’
For me I am good at:-
- driving and controlling machines
- understanding complex theories and translating them into practical application eg economics, philosophy
- working with and growing plants
- helping other people to be grounded and sort out any issues
Now when you have both lists the trick is to ask:- What is the common trait in both lists?
This is something that may not appear immediately obvious and you may have to sit with it for a while. When I did this exercise what came up for me is that the common traits were:-
- the need to explore limits and still remain in control – seen in the motor sport stuff and also with regard to my attraction to shamanic practices and ceremonies
- the issue of freedom comes through very strongly – I need to feel free and I love working with plants and being in nature
- creation is also a common theme
- practicality – it’s not enough for me just to work on the theoretical side of things I need to apply knowledge
By now you might see a trend? From this exercise I would say that my life purpose relates to:-
- exploring new ways and ideas for creating freedom of expression that people can practically apply in their life
So… I write, teach and research new ways of living and working then create courses such as this one to make them real.
How about you? Are you aligned to your passions?