Passion

Passion has becomes a buzz word. It's something people have come to say, like, "Please, pass the salt." It's something that is now used to spice up a resumes, like: "I'm passionate about the way I use commas to fully elucidate a fifty page report on the reason why there is no reason." If I hear one more person, especially in the arena of Business, mention passion, I will take a nap.

I started hearing it used about seven years ago. The first time I heard it in person was when I had an interview for a Software Developer role at a company that started and managed Retirement Communities. The guy who interviewed me was a Lead Developer/Manager type. He was amiable enough, but like so many in the business, he was as exciting as a box of unopened, unsharpened Number 2 pencils. He was talking about the mission of the company, and what my role would be. For some reason, at one point, he was almost strutting and puffing his chest out. I guess it was because he was so in love with the company and what he was doing for it that he started becoming a Dungeons and Dragons hero.  I'll never forget it, he said, "I am passionate about developing the most efficient, user friendly, and cost-effective software I can deliver."

I paused for a second when I heard him say, "passionate." I thought my ears were playing tricks on me - passion and software in the same sentence? Was this a joke? Should I laugh? You can't judge a book by looking at the cover, but I'm pretty sure this guy was no Don Juan or Casanova. Not that it means anything, but there was not even a ring on his finger. I wondered if he'd ever been out on a date? I looked at this guy again as he waxed poetic about the company and its software, and the only thing I could think was, "Dude, you really need to get laid."

Passion makes you burn. It sets your soul on fire. It's what you feel when you're slashing paint on canvas, when you're strumming your guitar, crying out to the Heavens, "God, why have you foresaken me?" or are joined as one with your lover, undulating and grinding, tasting lips and tongue, moaning, groaning, admiring each other with sweat burning your eyes, dripping down faces, chests, stomachs, arms, legs.

I hate buzz-words, and I especially hate when people take something as primal and spiritual as passion, and slip it into an arena that is anything but passionate. We live in a society where most things can be bought and sold. It's very convenient. Most really don't want to feel or deal with the feel. Being stirred and awakened is not convenient. It can be heart-wrenching and painful, as well as beautiful.

When I really think about it, and really think about what passion can produce, I sometimes get afraid and say, maybe I should just let those sleeping thoughts lie. I do not need to be stirred, or bothered, or inconvenienced. Sometimes I think, please, passion, just go away, just leave me alone. But then I think of a passion-less life. I think of my interview, or I think about a man who will never know of  the ripping sting and tear of love down the tubes or the ecstasy and the peace of love fulfilled. Yes, give me passion. There is risk in being led by emotions, but there is risk in everything on this journey.