Passion, the new drug of choice

I don't think I have ever enjoyed this time of year. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for certain, but generally I cannot stand the selling of the season. Usually, I would be getting all my climbing gear organized and ready for a trip south to Joshua Tree, or Red Rocks Canyon. This year my family decided it was important to be together. So I'm off to Denver. My sister has made plans for us to ski, and I think I even have plans to get in a little climbing. I'm excited to be with family, see my niece and nephews again, and play in the winter activities that Colorado has to offer.

I'm excited to get back on skis after 14 years. It is something that I enjoyed with my father, but I always hated the ski lift lines, and the cost -- oh my the cost it too high. But this is a sport I was good at doing, and I have fond memories of my dad when I think about skiing. The thing about skiing though -- It was never my passion. It was my fathers, but definitely not mine. You cannot not argue the rush that you get from skiing though -- can you?

Recently, I started to notice something -- everyone is talking about "Living with Passion." Maybe it is because I tweet and you get "followers" who are defining themselves by their jobs -- they have passion for their work. Possibly it is because a friend of mine started a business modeled around the motto "Live Your Passion." Quick Tangent -- Please support Live Your Passion as they really are doing something great to help people live out their dreams. Okay back to the blog. Or maybe the past eight years under such terrible leadership has driven people to realize there has to be something better... anything is better.

Don't get me wrong. I think Passion is wonderful. I feel fortunate that I am a passionate person. Yet, I'm passionate in that traditional way of being fiery and "feeling very strongly about a subject or person" way -- a strong emotion that drives my actions. Now though, the word passion reminds me more of a drug. People cannot wait to get their next hit. It is about the contact high and not the strong emotional feelings -- good or bad. The word "Passion" has become cliche, it is the new religion. Maybe that is my aversion -- has it become a religion?

We all know that many people who play in sports, do extreme activities, even some religious groups, as well as drug users do so for the "now" experience. I have said it many times -- I rock climb because all the other thoughts, worries, problems, etc can all quiet down and I have a very intense rush -- I get to live in the moment and experience all my feelings raw. I would say I'm addicted to climbing. That doesn't happen for me often. I have found even when I swim, ski, or bike ride I have time to think about something other then the immediate moment. Worries of life can still invade me and cause stress. Rock climbing, and now soccer allow me the escape.

So what is my point? Well, the deconstruction of true passion seems to be lost on people right now. People who are running instead of living, who replace meaningful experiences for a momentary rush and call it passion disturb me. I believe I have a passion for climbing... but I realize it is just one facet of my passion for life. I want people around me who are passionate about their life and experiences and recognize that true passion, real passion is fleeting. It isn't in every moment and it doesn't rule your life. Passion, when it is real, is something that provides drive in the moment. Don't let it be something that you need to fulfill your life, to give yourself meaning and happiness... that simply means you are not truly passionate, but rather just addicted.