So Alive Inside!
Issue 7
The Greeks never wrote obituaries. When a man died, they asked only one question, "Did he have passion?" - Dean, Serendipity
The topic of “Passion” has had more of an impact on me this past month than ever before. Passion is an interesting thing, it is something that everybody loves, yet there is something about passion that takes great challenge, strength, and risk.
Passion is such a key ingredient to living life truly alive. Unfortunately however, only a few people in modern society really grasp and fully live the true meaning of this powerful word.
The root of the word "passion" is found in the Latin word "passio" which means "suffering.” On the surface, the word “passion” can stir emotions in us that inspire, motivate, and elevate us to live life at a higher, more exciting, fulfilling level. But just as the core of an apple cannot be separate from the apple itself, “suffering” is always at the core of passion. We cannot have one without the other.
George Hegel, a German philosopher and inventor said “nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.” Through the years, people like Walt Disney, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and especially Jesus have been examples to us of a life lived with passion.
It is interesting that the last journey of Jesus life from the last supper to his resurrection was called “The Passion.” Hebrews 12:2 says “….for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before him, he endured the cross despising and ignoring the shame…”
Passion is all about suffering for something worthwhile and Jesus last week of life epitomized this. His heart was so “on fire,” so full of tomorrow, so full of a desire for what he needed to accomplish that it gave him the strength to endure and face the cross.
Many people in today’s society want passion without pain, prize without price. Though most understand that passion involves desire, thrill, and excitement, few really grasp the fact that passion involves suffering. Just because we want something does not mean that the attainment of it is going to be easy.
When I first made a decision to pursue my passion I was literally shocked by all the work and “suffering” involved in making it a reality. Like many others, I was under the impression that just because I had a dream, it would somehow fall on me. Unfortunately, that is not the case at all.
A burning, passionate, “on fire” heart is what will help us endure the crosses we need to face in our lives but it is important that we understand that there will be pain. The bible says that Jesus despised the cross, he despised the shame that went along with his suffering, but he was willing to go through it for the joy that was set before him.
Pursuing your passion IS going to involve rejection, discipline, having people not understand you, being talked about behind your back and so on. It is the price we need to pay. But, living with passion will always be so much more rewarding than living without it.
I have come to believe that there is no life without passion. Being passionless is boring, dull, full of compromise and always filled and controlled by fear. Though passion involves suffering, it does contain our true life. It is what enables us to live at our highest potential and fulfill our God-given dreams.
So, some day when our lives are called upon to answer that one all important question “Did he/she have passion?” I would hope that for all of us the answer will be a loud, resounding YES!
This month has been a busy one. At the beginning of the month I was in the studio working on my CD project with Bill. We laid down some lead vocals and came up with some beautiful sounds throughout the songs we recorded. It is always a joy putting my creative mind together with Bill’s creative genius. Great things spawn out of that union!
I have decided to work the CD at a pace that I feel comfortable with. My goal is not to just get the CD out into the world, though I can hardly wait for it to bless others, but to make every song as excellent as it can be. It’s going to be awesome! Pre-orders will soon be available for this CD. I will keep you posted with the details.
Recently, I performed at Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver. The people there were welcoming, kind and seemed to get a lot out of my performance. Many lovely people expressed there appreciation of my music and ministry afterwards in a special way. I have various upcoming dates that have yet to be confirmed. Please watch my calendar for updates. Also, if you know of any venues, churches, organizations, events that could benefit from what I do please contact me. Many details have been added to my site that will fill you in on what you can expect from a performance or speaking engagement.
Since the release of various articles I wrote to the “internet” community, people from all over the world have been signing up to receive this newsletter. It is exciting to know that there are so many people out there that long to live a “So Alive Inside” life! Welcome aboard everyone!!
I recently also started a Life Coaching, or what I prefer to call a “Dream” Coaching business this past month. This is something I have wanted to do for a while. It is such a privilege and honor to be able to help others overcome various roadblocks on their way to living life at their fullest potential. Remember, certificates are available for anyone you might know that would benefit from this service. Check out the site for more details!
Well, that’s it for now.
Until next time, let’s live with passion!