Passion
Passion is a very powerful thing that almost anyone can possess. It can be anything from making an opinion known, or to taking part in something worth caring about. It is pursuing dreams, or caring about a national problem. Passion can be seen, heard, and felt in everything, whether it is a musician writing a new song, an artist creating a new piece, or a student shutting down an abortion clinic. For some, passion is tangible evidence that what they care about is actually real. Others, it is simply standing out in a crowd. “Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.” (Hardy D. Jackson) Passion is stepping back, and putting ones whole heart into what they care about.
The dictionary describes passion as any powerful or compelling emotion such as love or hate, enthusiasm, or depression. To me, I believe that passion is taking a stand on something I believe is right or wrong, and going after my dreams. The definition the dictionary gives, I feel, is not deep enough. Words cannot completely describe the feeling that I, myself, get when I am passionate about something. My sophomore year of high school, we were studying the laws the United States created involving abortion. I knew in my gut and in my heart that abortion is wrong, no matter the circumstance. I was one of three people out of thirty students that were against the topic. Because I was so strongly against it, I had the drive to find and create as many arguments as possible to win the debate. My main point was, “the United States puts people in jail for murder. Abortion is the murder of an unborn, BUT LIVING, child. If we look at an ultrasound we can see and hear the child’s heartbeat. How can the government condone the murder of someone grown versus someone who hasn’t even had the chance to live his or her life? Taking that life is giving someone else the authority to take a life. We have NO right to do either.” That argument helped me win against twenty-nine other students.
Another way that I have demonstrated passion is through my artwork, writing, and my music. Writing, music, and art have always been outlets for me. When I am upset or angry I let writing take the emotion out of me and onto paper. I let the harmony from guitar chords and song lyrics show others how I am feeling. I let the way lines from a pencil move on paper express my feelings, and speak in a way that my mouth cannot. Artwork, music, and writing have always been three things I have cared the most about. I let people see me through the passion in my words and lyrics, and the artwork I create. “What is a sketch but a moment's passion, searching for the truth?” (Stephen Aitkin) When I get passionate about something that I am writing, or a piece I am working on it is where all of my attention goes. Until it is complete it feels like a stomach ache, but when it is finished the feeling is amazing. It feels like a breath of fresh air after being underwater for a long time, like the fire of a first kiss, or the magic of saying “I love you” for the first time. It is a NEW and wonderful feeling.
“Passion, it lies in all of us, sleeping... waiting... and though unwanted... unbidden... it will stir... open its jaws and howl. It speaks to us... guides us... passion rules us all, and we obey. What other choice do we have? Passion is the source of our finest moments. The joy of love... the clarity of hatred... and the ecstasy of grief. It hurts sometimes more than we can bear. If we could live without passion maybe we'd know some kind of peace... but we would be hollow... Empty rooms shuttered and dank. Without passion we'd be truly dead.” (Josh Whedon). Without passion our lives would be empty and cold. We would be lifeless. No matter how small, passion exists in every single person whether they want it there or not; everyone has something they truly and completely care about. Whether it is a thing, a hobby, an argument, or a person, we all care about something. Our passion is what helps make us who we are. Our pain, our love, our hatred, our trust, and our hurt are what fuels our thirst and need for life…for passion. Within everything and everyone, there is a need and a want. There is always an ongoing battle inside someone to do the best they can for something, or someone. One of my favorite bands is 12 Stones. They have a song called “It Was You”, that I think speaks very clearly on this topic. “I was sick of all the pain, Tired of all the shame that I felt, But you showed me a way, To never have a doubt, And always to believe in myself, Now I see, It was you, That showed me who I am, And taught me how to stand, For what I know is real. Now I'm breathing for the first time, and I'm leaving, all this behind, I've become, what I am because of you, It was you.” To me these lyrics spoke about having someone show you what passion truly is; the need to discover yourself and to know that someone there is caring about you. No matter what a person is going through, they can always find something to get them through the pain and hurt or anything else that they are dealing with. I found that through my writing, music and my artwork.
So when people ask what someone is passionate about, don’t be afraid to tell them! Tell them what passion is, or show them! It is not something to be afraid, ashamed of, or to be shied away from. Passion exists in everything! It exists in the first breath of a newborn, a touch, and a word. Passion is beautiful, and everything has its own unique, unquestionable beauty. Passion is a having a voice. Speak out! Be known! Don’t be afraid to stand out! A voice can be one of the most powerful things in this world, but no one is willing to use it. Stand out in the crowd! Use a voice and be passionate.
1. "Quotes." Find the Famous Quotes You Need, ThinkExist.com Quotations. Thinkexist.com. Web. 15 Mar. 2011. <http://thinkexist.com/quotation/above_all-be_true_to_yourself-and_if_you_cannot/13562.html>.
2. Aitkin, Stephen. "Passion Art Quotations - The Painter's Keys Resource of Art Quotations." Resource of Art Quotations - The Painter's Keys. Robert Glenn. Web. 15 Mar. 2011. <http://quote.robertgenn.com/getquotes.php?catid=214>.
3. 12 Stones Band. "12 STONES LYRICS - The Way I Feel." A-Z Lyrics Universe. Web. 15 Mar. 2011. <http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/12stones/thewayifeel.html>.
4. Whedon, Joss. "Joss Whedon Quotes." Find the Famous Quotes You Need, ThinkExist.com Quotations. Web. 15 Mar. 2011. <http://thinkexist.com/quotes/joss_whedon/>.
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