What is passion anyway?

I think it's an emotional commitment to life.  I think it's exuberance at the soul level, and without which you can't do anything great. Without which, you can't do anything much. You need that constant emotional tug in order to get out of bed in the morning, in order to ride out the hard times and then really fully enjoy your success. Successes and failures just get wrapped up in the same package, but your commitment is just as strong no matter which of those things (impostors)  is on the table at the time.

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same"... from my favorite poem by Rudyard Kipling. I try to live by it.

Okay, so how does passion manifest? How does your passion manifest? Think about it. It's important. Focus on passion because it'll lead to success. What makes you feel the most passion,  the kind of passion that gives you the energy and clear desire to do something?

Passion shows up everywhere. Enjoying a great cup of fresh brewed coffee first thing in the morning while gazing at the sunrise and thinking to yourself: "man, it's great to be alive!" is passion. Looking at your children's faces, and the faces of all your loved ones and loving them and thinking it's all worth it, is passion. Working diligently and trying with everything you've got to get better at something is passion.  Being devoted to anything is passion. You do have to be careful that passion does not turn into obsession.

I'm not completely opposed to obsession or obsessive behavior if it doesn't overtake you  because I think the mad genius is always obsessive.  "Mad" is the condition that can be a problem. Do you have to be madly obsessive in order to reach the heights? I don't think so. Mad means you're out of control. I've seen it happen to someone. Maybe the person I'm thinking about was mad from the beginning. He was totally obsessive and completely nuts, however, great at what he did.

Passion is powerful but stay in the driver's seat. Don't go mad with it. It's not necessary.

It's very exciting to read the posts of people here who have made a new commitment to reach their goals. It doesn't really matter if your goal is to become the next IM superstar, or make a good living marketing  online, or make a few pounds or dollars marketing, or the commitment to further your musical knowledge and career. Whatever it is, following your dream and fulfilling yourself is what is important.  

Let your passion be the guide to take you wherever you want to go.

I'd love to hear what all of you think about passion and how it plays a role in your lives.