MONDAY MINDSET: PASSION

WEEK OF 9/23/24

 

I’m a huge fan of etymology, the study of words and their origins (not to be confused with entomology, the study of bugs, which is also pretty cool I guess).

If we understand the history of words and their uses, we learn more about what it means to be human, and the universal values we share.

Did you know the word “Passion” comes from the Latin word pati, which means “to suffer?”

When you start digging into those actions and instances in which people feel fulfilled and happy, it’s rarely due to an increase in material wealth or comfort (past a certain point, anyway).  

In fact, if you were to study Lottery winners, many do not report a higher sense of fulfillment or happiness in life (although, if you ask me, winning the lottery can’t hurt).  

Being “passionate” means we are willing to suffer for something.  It means that we gladly trade our time, discomfort, and energy for the feeling of accomplishing a specific thing.

Anyone who is passionate about martial arts knows that the costs can be very, very high–injuries abound, and discomfort is the norm.

But the rewards are greater–discipline (itself a cool word to study), health, confidence, stillness of mind.

These are all qualities worth working for.  Qualities worth suffering for.

I will be pursuing my passions this week.  Will you?

See you on the mats.