Passion

As the cold winds and darkness of winter transform into the rebirth of spring, there is no better time for us to identify those areas within ourselves that need to be renewed.

Last month we touched on the topic of motivation and the importance of letting go of that which no longer serves us.

We also spoke of the value of slowing down enough to enable us to become aware of what is it we want to transform, or create, in our lives.

Deeply related to last months’ theme is the ability to cultivate passion within ourselves.

It is almost impossible to move forward into anything new or challenging without the fire of passion.

Passion is the force that infuses life with meaning, joy and even outrage. It forges commitment and determination, indeed it is the urge that calls us to action!

We need only think of the passion of the Greenpeace volunteers who courageously tried to intercept the whaling vessels as they slaughtered many whales a few months ago.

We can also bring to mind the quiet passion of Mother Teresa as she tended the dying children of India or the passionate words of Nelson Mandela’s 1994 inaugural speech.

But, you may ask, what if passion lies like cold, grey ciders within our hearth and heart fires?

What do we do if we have lost our passion and cannot even remember what it feels like to be passionate about something?

Part of the answer to this lies in the understanding that one of our deepest human needs is to know that our lives count for something.

That we contribute in some meaningful way to this world.

Once again it becomes essential to create time to contemplate your current state and to listen to your deeper yearnings.

For each of us the rekindling of passion will be different.  Ask yourself these questions:

o    What do I love doing?
o    What are my gifts and talents?
o    What have I always dreamed of?
o    Is there anything I need to let go of in order to achieve my goals?

Reclaiming one’s physical health and vitality will go a long way to enabling the passion sparks to ignite.

Ask for help if you need it, and do what it takes to restore a damaged body, self-esteem or even soul-esteem.

Much support is available in the form of natural healthcare.  This is the time to embark on a long overdue exercise programme or a healthy eating plan.

Inspire yourself by choosing the company of passionate, vital and dynamic people.  Let some of their enthusiasm rub off on you.

If you are involved in projects that you are not passionate about, try to reframe and redefine them until you fall in love with them.

Do not forget the importance of play.  The play impulse you felt as a child is part of the original creative force.

Learn how to play if you have forgotten how to and remember what it feels like to have fun.

Begin something new – learn to ski, get that qualification in photography, start writing your novel or learn how to play the violin.

Do not be disheartened if initially you meet with some resistance. Our lifestyles within this current technological age are addictively comfortable.

Physical activity has decreased by 75% since the turn of the century, and we spend most of our free time (when we are not at work sitting behind a desk) engaged in passive media activities, the most dominant of which is television viewing.

Obesity and its related afflictions such as heart disease and diabetes are some of the most commonly diagnosed diseases of this century.

Many of us have underestimated the side effects of our lifestyles.

Processed, chemicalised, quick foods form the bulk of the majority of people’s diets and this, coupled together with a sedentary lifestyle of media entertainment is causing a breakdown of health and vitality never before seen on this planet.

Welcome to life within the machine.

It is not, however, all bad news!  Ultimately the choices are yours to make.

Rekindle those sparks of passion and enthusiasm within yourself no matter what it takes.

Call on your courage, your determination and your inner discipline.

Decide where it is you want to go, find your true love, put your head up and joyously take the first steps.

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.  – Henry Drummond