This is a spectacular video to start off the new year. Elizabeth Gilbert shines a light on the concept of following your passion. We’ve all heard it before and doesn’t it make us feel like we’re doing something wrong, because look at all the successful and happy people who have found their passions and found a way to turn them into money and happiness. There must be something wrong with me that I can’t even identify my passion, let alone make money from it. I’m doomed.
It became clear to me, after watching this, that the word ‘passion’ is one of those igniting words. First of all, it’s a noun, so it’s something that must be tangible and identifiable; something we surely would know if we had it. Secondly, just the word itself invokes fiery passion; it should consume us. It gives us no choice but to follow it because it’s huge and undeniable.
Watch here: Elizabeth Gilbert’s Flight of the Hummingbird
As Gilbert points out, following your curiosities is a more palatable piece of advice. Passion is more demanding and needy. Curiosity is something we can follow without losing ourselves. It’s much easier to identify our curiosities than our passions, for most. And I truly love her hummingbird analogy, and the fact that the world needs these cross-pollinating creatures who have rich and complex lives that help contribute to the environment of all others.
Seriously, start 2016 with this bit of inspiration and create your own intention to follow your curiosity all year!
