Passions: That Which Must Be Endured.

passion [ pash-uhn ]; any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate; strong sexual desire, lust;.a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything;  the object of such a fondness or desire; the narrative of Christ's sufferings as recorded in the Gospels.

Synonyms: fervor, zeal, ardor. 

 From Late Latin passionem (nominative passio) "suffering" or  "that which must be endured."

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This isn't about the passions of sexual or romantic love, nor does it concern the Passion of Christ's crucifixion.  I'm talking about the passions of that capture the imagination, that compel the curious people to seek learning and excellence and diversion. These passions can drive a man to build entire landscapes in his basement just so tiny trains can travel through them, or compel a woman to spend her free time painting water colors of humming birds, or for parents to follow their kid's travel softball team around the country every weekend. It's the kind of passion that torments the writer to edit a manuscript all night, or a photographer to buy a new lens she really doesn't need, or a young girl to a buy a new book when she already has a shelf full of the unread, or a  runner to attempt his first marathon. 

Passionate people fall headlong into an idea, a concept, an art, a project, a sport - anything, and completely surrender to it.  

The Passion Spectrum

Passions fall into many categories, but I generally categorize them into this spectrum: 1) ideas, 2) people and 3) things.  A person can have passions across this spectrum (and usually do), but tend to mostly favor, or begin, in one category  or another. Books, writing, cinema, politics, poetry, and music are examples of idea passions. Public service organizations, social clubs, sports and scouting are examples of people passions. Cars, quilting, model rocketry, computers and scrapbooking are examples of thing passions.  These categories spill over and blur into one another in  complex ways. An abstract idea or a thing or object will usually manifest in a social aspect like clubs, organizations, Facebook pages, etc. 
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Passions can be hobbies, they can be professions or even both. Passions can be weekend diversions or all-consuming obsessions. Passions can be expensive. Passions can be age-dependent, and can pass as quickly as they come.  Passions can evolve. Some people wear their passions openly, while others keep them hidden.
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BlessingS and Curses

 ​A passion can be pleasant diversion, an accessory to life's otherwise mundane drudgery. These necessary loves are therapeutic for  person's mental health.  Passions can often be unhealthy obsessions that eat away at one's life like an addiction. These  passions cling to us like an abusive lover. Often times, people don't know when their passion has crossed that line, it simply happens. Those around you will sense it first. Sometimes, interventions are necessary. Go to a garage sale, pawn shop or thrift store and you may see the remnants of such interventions.

Truly passionate people tend to get carried away. Get them to talk about their passion and you'll understand what I mean. They simply won't shut up about it. Of this, I am guilty. Over the years, I've learned to look for the tell-tale  drifting eyes, a glance at the watch or phone, and the steady increase in the listener's "uh-huhs." When I see the signs I realize I might have gotten carried away. I look for a polite way to change the subject and let my victim gracefully disengage. Its a level of self-awareness I've tried to improve on over the years.

In most situations, at least outside the internet, it can be difficult to find people who share any of your passions depending on how unique, elite, or expensive the passion is.  Deeply passionate people often learn those they share their lives with don't share or  understand their passions. At best, their loved ones listen patiently and try to understand that which must be suffered. Sometimes, the partner's passion is merely tolerated, or may even be a source of friction and conflict. Maybe the passionate find it better to remain quiet. Perhaps it easter to be alone then be misunderstood.  One's passion can be isolating, and self-validation often times must be enough.

That's why meeting someone who shares your passion is one of life's rare gifts.

I think that's were there are so many clubs and organizations centered around passions. Even introverts want to share common experiences. It can be exciting when you finally meet someone who shares your passion. Its like taking long, cool drink of water. You can't drink it fast enough, and you can't get full enough. You know it may be a long time  before you can find another watering hole. 

What's your passion?

​If you don't know, just go online to Google or Amazon, and the "Algorithm" will quickly tell you what it thinks you passion might me via  ads, pop-ups and suggestions. ​The internet has made it easier to not only find others who share your fervor, your zeal, your ardor. It's also made it easier to improve at whatever you love (Youtube), or at least to spend money on it. 

I hope your passion makes you happy, whatever it may be. Thank you for stopping by, and sharing a little bit of my passion. 
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#passion #hobbies #books #writing #essay #photography #abandonedwiregrass

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