PASSION! How to find yours?

Passion…..what is it?! When heard, it seems like an ordinary word, but it is more than that. Emotion-wise, it’s a strong feeling; career-wise, it’s being enthusiastic about doing something or becoming someone. But I am not here to discuss the technical meaning of it, you guys can find it on Google. I am here to discuss why it is important and why it’s the key to becoming successful!

What is Passion:

When we were kids, we wanted to become someone or to do something that made us curious. We used to tell our parents, friends, relatives and teachers about it. But while growing up we surpressed that desire for many obvious reasons and become someone else. And in the present, if any of those people ask us, we will say what we are currently doing or have currently become, for many of us which is completely different.

Unfortunately many people mistake it for passion, and why not. They have every right to think that, they are earning good money, providing for their family, have an reputable social status etc. Many people earn money by doing a 9 to 5 job, many are handling their family business. If they are capable they can achieve success by doing this and there is nothing wrong.

But the question that they have to ask is, ‘Am I happy doing what I do’?! If Yes then fantastic, if No then they have to ask themselves, ‘Doing what can make me whole, complete, happy?’. Now I know you guys can find lines like these on many motivational videos or reels, but that does not change the fact that it’s true. The thing is those videos and reels only share words with little to no explanation, but in here I will try to explain them as best as I can!

Examples of People Who Followed Their Passion:

So we have three variables here – first Passion, second Success and third Happiness. Now those who are truly successful they have all these three things at once. Famous actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Sylvester Stallone, writers like George R. R. Martin, J. K. Rowling…….this list can go on and on but i have only took a few.

Now to discuss, I will take the example of Shah rukh khan and Sylvester Stallone. Mostly because I have a read about their journey. Shah Rukh khan wanted to become an actor since childhood, but his road to become the global superstar wasn’t easy. Back in his starting days many said he doesn’t have the face of an actor, he can’t dance etc. But he kept going at it until he achieved success. Maybe now looking at his overall life it seems easy but it was hard.

Same goes for Sylvester Stallone, he not only wanted to become an actor but also a writer. The journey wasn’t easy for him either, many rejected him as an actor, nobody liked the scripts that he had written but he achieved success at the end. Now I didn’t go into the detailed analysis of their life story or success story. But one thing they had in common was their passion for their profession. So in the end that passion brought success and happiness into their lives.

Living vs. Surviving:

In the morning you wake up excited wondering what the new day has in store for you, excited about doing something that makes you happy is the real Passion in my opinion! Waking up tired after 7 hours sleep, your body doesn’t need rest, your mind and heart does because you are doing something you don’t like, you are not living your life, you are surviving it.

You will feel like you don’t have any energy in your body, after hours of sleep you won’t feel fresh, slowly you won’t be able to laugh, things that made you happy in the past won’t make you happy anymore, and one day you will start to question your own existence, that’s not good for you! and I think you should give yourself a chance to see what your life will look like if you pursue your passion.

How to Choose:

A person can have many passion but pursuing all those at once will slow down your success, and there is a possibility you might get exhausted and stop pursueing them. A question arises which one to choose?….. for those who have only one passion or calling in their life as long as they can remember, it’s easy for them.

But those who love to do multiple things, how can they find out their real passion! Choose the one that you can do for hours without getting tired or bored, choose the one that your heart says is right and your minds gives you a logical explanation why it is right. Choose that one cause that’s your no. 1 passion, your true passion and pursuing that will definitly bring success and happiness to your life.

If I say about myself, I had couple of things I liked to do, but among them drawing and writing are the two that I can do for hours without getting bored, yes sometimes i feel irrited cause my keyboard or my pen can’t keep up with my thoughts. Did I get success?…..I think it’s too early to say……am I happy?……VERY!

Reasons for not pursuing:

Now I understand many people can’t pursue their passion for many reasons. Even if they somehow overcome thier internal conflict, the external conflict won’t let them. Here by external conflict I meant famliy responsibilities, parental expectations etc. If your passion is close to ordinary, there is a chance you will be able to convince them. But if it is someting extraordinary like becoming an artist, model, actor, professional athlete etc. There is no chance they will give you the green signal. Especially in middle class families, it happens a lot.

While I get their viewpoint, about why they wont let their child or children pursue this careers, I feel its still no right! They can only imagine the negative things if they fail, if something bad happens. They can never imagine if they succeed then what will happen. I guess thats what our basic human instinct is, alawys scared of doing something new. On the other hand I should mention that there are parents out their who let their children pursue their passion, who believe in them. That’s why human race were able to develope. Otherwise we still be sitting in front of a fire, started using rocks while wearing animal skin.

Conclusion:

I want to conclude saying that, those who have the courage to pursue their passion regardless of what the world thinks have my respect. And those who are still confuse what decision to take, which path to choose. Know this if you don’t choose your passion, one day you will realize you are in your 60s. No one who could judge you is around anymore and all you have is regreat. So if you already have a passion start pursuing it. [UPDATED ON JUNE 2, 2024]