Living in Technicolor by Art of Living Well Academy

Passion: Finding Your Fire!

Lola Brooks Season 1

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Have you ever wondered what separates those who achieve extraordinary things from those who go through the motions? The answer lies in a single powerful force: passion.

Passion runs much deeper than casual enthusiasm or fleeting interest. It's that fire within that transforms ordinary pursuits into extraordinary journeys—the unstoppable drive that keeps us moving forward when obstacles seem insurmountable. Through personal stories, including a nerve-wracking first motorcycle trip and a challenging reporting assignment in remote South America, we explore how passion provides the resilience to continue when logic might tell you to quit.

What makes passion truly transformative is how it changes us from the inside out. When we pursue what genuinely excites us, we discover capabilities we never knew we possessed. But living passionately doesn't happen by accident—it requires intentional cultivation. Starting with just 10 minutes daily devoted to what sparks your curiosity can build remarkable momentum over time. Equally important is surrounding yourself with others whose passion is contagious, creating an environment where your fire gets continually stoked.

Whether your passion manifests as a quiet, steady determination or an explosive enthusiasm, it serves the same purpose: fueling a life of meaning and fulfillment. When you find yourself losing track of time because you're completely absorbed in what you're doing, you've seen that magical spark worth pursuing. 

What passion is waiting for you to nurture it? Take that first small step today, find your supportive community, and watch as that initial spark grows into a transformative flame.

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Speaker 1:

So what comes to mind when you hear the word passion? I mean it's got to be something exciting, right? Maybe something you're crazy about, like painting or playing a sport or even a cause you believe in. But here's the thing Passion is a whole lot deeper than just liking something. At its core, passion is all about intensity and enthusiasm those two things. They fuel everything. And and passion isn't just about hobbies or things you do for fun. It's like, really central to how we behave and how we connect with our emotions. Think about it. Why would someone spend years working toward a goal, even one that's super tough? That's super tough Passion, plain and simple. It gives us this drive, this push to keep going. It's what gets us through the hard stuff, you know.

Speaker 1:

That reminds me of this wild story from my own life my first motorcycle trip. It was, oh my gosh, such a mess in the beginning. Picture this I'm a complete newbie, nervous as heck, and I'm. I'm standing there staring at this big machine, wondering what I got myself into. Everyone around me was so confident, like pros, and I was just out of place. But the thing is I was determined. I felt this fire deep inside, you know, like this overwhelming need to conquer the challenge. I mean, at one point I almost wiped out Scariest moment ever, but I kept pushing Because that passion, that raw energy, it made me want to see what I was capable of.

Speaker 1:

It's like, once you let passion take hold, nothing else matters, it's just you and the ride. And that's the beauty of it. Passion doesn't just motivate you, it changes you, it pulls you out of your comfort zone and shows you what's possible. Really, it's a kind of magic, isn't it? Okay, so we talked about what passion is and how it fuels us, right, but how do we actually live it out? Like every single day? Let's start small, because that's key. No one goes zero to a hundred and stays on track. It's like, instead of diving into the deep end, you just dip a toe in, see how it feels. I mean, imagine setting aside even 10 minutes to explore something you're curious about Writing, drawing or maybe just researching a topic that inspires you. You'd be surprised how these little moments grow into something huge.

Speaker 1:

And here's the thing it's not just about you on your own. Have you ever noticed how the people you surround yourself with totally shape your energy? Like, seriously, if you're hanging out with driven, passionate people, their mindset just rubs off. I saw it firsthand in journalism when I worked with folks who were fired up about uncovering stories. Man, their spark lit mine. It's contagious. That's why finding your tribe matters, whether it's a group of friends, a mentor or even an online community. Being around people who are passionate about life can really push you forward, like I remember connecting with this veteran journalist early in my career. She was so passionate about reporting on human rights. It was like fire-in-her-eyes kind of passion. That energy made me want to dig deeper and be bolder in my own work and, honestly, I wouldn't be where I am now without that influence.

Speaker 1:

But let's not forget, momentum is everything. Once you've started those small daily habits, let the excitement build. It's like a rhythm, you know you start to lose track of time because you're so into whatever you're doing and boom, that's how passion takes root. It doesn't feel forced anymore, it's just part of who you are. So yeah, start small, find your people and let that momentum grow.

Speaker 1:

But here's an interesting thought. So here's the thing about passion. It's this unstoppable driving force that keeps us reaching higher even when the odds feel well impossible. It's like when you're lit up by something you just can't walk away. You know, passion pulls you in, makes you jump into the deep end and, yeah, sometimes it's messy, but it's that messiness that makes it worth it. Think about it when was the last time you actually did something that scared you, like shook you to the core, scared, but you pushed through because you believed in it? That's passion at work, pushing you past every roadblock, every doubt. And passion, it isn't always loud. Sometimes it's this steady, almost quiet kind of energy that doesn't quit until you've reached what you're after.

Speaker 1:

Let me share this story. Back in my early reporting days I did a piece about this activist group in South America fighting for their land rights. It was hugely challenging. I had to fly into this remote area and I didn't even know if the group would trust me enough to speak honestly. There were days I thought, why am I even doing this? But there was this fire inside me, this need to get their story out there. I saw their passion, I felt it and that made me push harder. To this day.

Speaker 1:

It's one of the pieces I'm most proud of, because passion drove that whole journey and, honestly, when you're pursuing something you love, all those obstacles they turn into stepping stones. Passion makes you want to see what's on the other side, even when the road feels impossible. It shows you what you're capable of, how far you can really go. And, yeah, when you find yourself losing track of time because you're so deep into whatever it is you love, that's the magic spark right there. So if there's one thing to take away, it's this. So if there's one thing to take away, it's this. Passion isn't just a feeling, it's the fuel that keeps you moving, stretching and growing into the best version of you, and when you let it guide you, it leads to something extraordinary a life filled with meaning, excitement and joy. And, on that note, thanks for joining me today. Keep exploring, keep discovering and, most of all, stay passionate. I'll catch you next time, thank you.