Living with Passion
I was having a nostalgic moment and was on YouTube watching clips from Southern All Stars, a Japanese band from my youth who are still going strong. Their lead singer is the band even though I think all the other members have remained the same since the 70′s. I enjoy them more as I get older. But one thing struck me this morning as I was watching clips both old and new, ”here is a man who is living with passion”. I think that is what has made them so loved by their fans. Maybe that’s why so many people want to be musicians, it is such an overt expression of one’s passion.
There are countless seminars, books and TV shows telling you how to find your passion. Everyone says, “live your passion”. What does that mean? I had always expected it to be a lightening bolt from above, one day I would wake up and know exactly what I wanted to do and it would make me deliriously happy. But I realise now that that’s not the way it happens for most people. You may be one of the lucky few who knew from a young age exactly what you wanted to be when you grew up. For me, it’s finally starting to become clear in my 50′s. But in order to get there, you have to live life and participate. It’s a bit like jumping rope. There are two people turning the rope and you have to find the right timing and jump in. If you hesitate, chances are you’ll get tangled in the rope and fall over. You have to take that risk and jump in. Once you’re in, you can decide if this is what you wanted. But you can’t find that out on the sidelines waiting and watching for the right moment. So all my life experiences have led me to this period in my life when things are starting to make sense and what is happening feels right.
You need to be an active participant in life, pay attention. Listen to people, engage with them you never know when some casual comment will spark something in your brain. You may not notice the connection right away, but it will be a seed planted. Who knows, that may become your purpose, your passion. It’s never too late to start something new, go ahead, jump in.
I’ll leave you with two clips from Southern All Stars, one From 1978 and twenty years later, From 1999. Enjoy.
