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Is happiness really all we need in life?

I always used to think that the most important emotion was happiness. But lately I have come to reevaluate this. Yes, happiness is important. So very important. But I have discovered something else, an emotion that is often overlooked. Even when we do acknowledge it, make it out own, it can be so hard to hold onto.

And that emotion is passion. Passion is what drives us. What makes us get off of our butts and go out there and do, say, create. Passion is what makes us march out there and change the world.

It can be so hard to get motivated and so easy to just settle into routine. To rest comfortably in our happiness. But we’ll also know, whether consciously or subconsciously, as we rest there content, that something is missing. We’ll go to sleep, smiling, but also trying to ignore that tiny little niggling doubt that maybe, just maybe, there is something more out there.

I hadn’t even noticed that I lost it until I found it again. I found it in words, in music, in social injustices, in research and in getting the opportunity to argue my opinion as loudly as I possibly could. It doesn’t matter what your passion is, whether it’s arguing political points, performing as an actor, or collecting stamps; as long you feel that fiery burning for something. This something that makes you get up every morning with your eyes glowing and your heart full to bursting with everything that you know you will be able to achieve if you just get out and DO IT.

I don’t want to be a calm person. I don’t want to be content with the world and everything within it. I don’t want to float through my days with a smile on my face and a head empty of opinion or ideas. I want to be fiery, passionate, stubborn and argumentative. I want to be over-the-top, eccentric, determined and just a little bit anxious becausethereissomuchtodoandsolittletimetodoitin. I want to fight for the things that I believe in, no matter how small; because goddamn it I know that I am right. I want to create something amazing. And I want to turn this fire into something that sets the world aglow.

Maybe passion doesn’t automatically lead to happiness. Some of most passionate people were the most miserable. But I cannot bear the thought of losing this spark. Even if I do end up unhappy, I won’t be unfulfilled. I will know that I had tried my best. And I will know that every single second, even if burn up only to burn out, was worth it.

What is your passion?

Comments

Kacey said…
This is great!!! But... feeling sad, because I definitely let fear outweigh my passion...
Bonnie said…
For me, passion and happiness go hand in hand. It is my passion to be happy, and I am happiest when I have passion. One is nothing without the other.

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
ellie said…
Passion is so important. I'm glad you posted about it. And I love to be passionate about books, about certain things...and well, the need to write, of course.
lucy and sarah said…
Oh..passion keeps us going most days. Loved the post!
Joyti said…
Personally, I'd rather have a life that is interesting and full of passion and learning than a happy one.
Me, I'd like a life in which I continue to learn and evolve as a person.
Paige Hadley said…
Haha! You're a Seinfeld fan too, hey? That's fantastic!

Oh, your post today could not have come at a better time. Seriously. It took at least a year and a half for me to realise that I'm not getting any better at writing through waiting. I have started to put aside at least half an hour every single day to write creatively, besides my blog. Every afternoon, a little envelope awaits me on the table from Mum (isn't it glorious to have a mum?!), with a little writing prompt inside. They're an idea, a word, a picture, a headline or a challenge that aims to prompt my creativity. And so I sit and write for at least half an hour and get stuck into it. Yesterday I finally had the revelation of how amazingly this rejuvenating of my writing habits is working. I wrote something I was extremely happy with. And I think it was the first of many little peaks on a long road of discovery.

Take care.

What are you passions, then?
Miss H said…
Passion is such a wonderful emotion. I couldn't live without it.

http://pablosangel.blogspot.com/
nancy said…
I cannot agree with this more! I would rather fight with my partner and fight with myself for things I'm passionate about than be apathetic. I honestly believe it is worse to be apathetic than to be sad or angry.
where's the point in complacency?
erleichda said…
...and thats why is more important to be free than to be happy ( Tom Robbins )
amy b.s. said…
i kind of think passion and happiness go hand in hand, but you can have one without the other. but i have to agree with you. i think passion is definitely an important thing to living a full and happy life.
Tuesdai Noelle said…
Yes, yes, yes! @ "I don’t want to be a calm person. I don’t want to be content with the world and everything within it. I don’t want to float through my days with a smile on my face and a head empty of opinion or ideas."

True. It is so easy (as you said) to get content in "every day same ole's." My passion designing. It's what I escape to keep me grounded and inspired.
Anonymous said…
Yes! I can't help but feel guilty when I'm not pursuing my passions: reading, horseback riding, home decor, religious studies. My favourite people are those who geek out about the things that they love. No matter how seemingly small or obscure, their passion is infectious and fascinating.
Brandi said…
I've never thought about passion as an emotion. For me, it's just something in the blood. It's infectious. It's what directs you. Right now, I have so many passions and I'm just trying to understand them better.
Jo said…
So much to do and so little time...I agree! I'm feeling this so much lately! Great post!!
Aquí said…
I know exactly what you mean. I lost a passion for all things in a life a few years ago and it wasn't until recently that I've rediscovered it but had no idea it was ever lost. This makes my quality of life better by ten fold. I need more than happiness apparently!
Oh this is such a great post!!! I agree with it! My passion is art, whether that's painting or drawing or whatever...I have to be creating. That is where my passion is! Thank you for such a great post!
Megan said…
Wow...this is SO beautifully written! I definitely think passion is important to happiness. They compliment each other.
this post is so beautiful kaylia. i love it! passion is so important. my passion is giving. i want to use my time to give to the world and i dont know how- maybe through theatre or working for a charity. but that however corny is my passion. i also love to write. xxxx
I think passion is important. It is kind of a spark that gives you a reason for being. I am happiest when I have something in my life that I am passionate about (aside from my friends and family, which I am always passionate about).

This is a great post.

*Erin
k said…
I think this is well said and that you rock :)
Ashley said…
beautifully written...and AMEN!!!!

So, my passion is traveling...how should I fund my passion? It's a mighty expensive passion that I have :(
mazzy may said…
I'm glad you brought PASSION up. Great article.
keishua said…
I don't think if you are filled with a spark you can be unhappy. I have found that we are usually unhappy when our spark has dimmed and our passion has turned to contempt or being jaded a bit. If we feed our passion happiness is sure to appear(minding that it really is something that is good for the world).
Anonymous said…
I've been thinking about this a lot lately, as I've been looking into a career change. I think it's time I figure out what my passion really is and pursue it. Love what you wrote here.
Absolutely True...

I love being that too!

Passion is the key to a great well lived life... so yes... Go find it... and die for it... if u have to:)

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