Follow Your Passion. Or Don't.

Choose.

Hi friends. Welcome to the YouTopian Journey. Today’s issue discusses why you must choose between following your passion or ignoring it.

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TO FOLLOW OR SILENCE

“I would rather die of passion than boredom”-Vincent Van Gogh

Passion.

You can’t escape it.

Follow your passion. Do what you love.

The notion of following your passion has been a pervasive cliché in our society propagated by commencement speeches, influencers, successful entrepreneurs, and CEOs for years. However, recently, there has been a growing backlash against this idea.

It is undeniable that not all passions can guarantee success or provide the financial means to live what many consider a "good life." For instance, if your passion lies in painting, it's unlikely to enable you to afford a penthouse apartment.

The same goes for writers, podcasters, collectors, culinary enthusiasts, animal lovers, etc. While these passions may bring joy and fulfillment, they often do not offer the same financial rewards as more lucrative careers.

It is far better to put passions aside and focus on finding a solid and stable career, especially one in those verticals that needs workers.

The work may be dull.

The work may be soul crushing.

The work may be what you never imagined doing.

But it pays. It helps the economy. And more importantly, it gives you room to explore other interests, none of which would ignite your soul like your passion could, but hey, that’s life.

Enter the maw of lost time, limited life, and hope for the best.

“Those who control their passions do so because their passions are weak enough to be controlled.”-William Blake

This debate is one that we all must face.

Do we follow our passion? Do we silence it?

Is it possible to have a life full of passion and a career?

The answer is always changing and is different for every person.

However, you must answer. This is worth repeating.

You MUST answer.

My answer is the same as it has been for years.

Passion. Passion. Passion.

A life of passion is a life worth living, provided you are strong enough for it. However if this is the case, why do so many advocates stress living a life geared more toward economic certainty over personal fulfillment?

“Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age.”-James Joyce

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PASSION IS EVERYTHING

“Life is short, and potential studies infinite. We have a much better chance of accomplishing something significant when we follow our passionate interests and work in areas of deepest personal meaning.”-Stephen Jay Gould

Let me be abundantly clear.

Passion is everything.

It gives life meaning.

It allows you to open doors you didn’t know were there. It lets you leave the safety of normality and conformity that the vast majority cling to.

Those who claim otherwise have limited their passions. They have traded a life of passion, one that is harsh, for a life of security and safety. After all, a true life of passion has no path.

But a life of security does. Everyone follows one another on the same path, the same ladder, hoping for the title, the extra money, and the perks.

The passionate life is one full of obstacles. You will find yourself facing constant rejection. You may find yourself experiencing setback after setback and poverty after poverty.

None of this matters.

When you are engaged in something you love, it becomes less about "work" and more about a meaningful and enjoyable pursuit.

It becomes about the goal.

It becomes about overcoming obstacles.

It becomes about true achievement.

I write to you not as a mere proponent of following one's passion, but as someone who has experienced the profound impact of living a life driven by genuine passion. My personal story and background are a testament to the fact that none of my achievements would have been possible without the unwavering commitment to my passions.

Why is this the case?

Simple.

Your passions are a fundamental part of who YOU are. Following them allows you to express your true self, embracing your unique qualities, and showcasing your individuality. This authenticity not only brings you personal satisfaction but also attracts like-minded individuals who resonate with your passion and values. It fosters connections, collaborations, and opportunities that align with your authentic self.

Your AUTHENTIC self.

Not the self that society attempts to mold you into.

Most importantly you must understand that passion is contagious. By following your own passions, you become a source of inspiration and motivation for others. You become a role model, showing the lost that there is a way. Your enthusiasm and dedication can inspire those around you to explore their own interests, follow their dreams, and unleash their creative potential. These pilgrims of passion can pursue their own goals and make a positive impact on society.

Follow your passion.

Start today.

Ignore the naysayers.

“It wasn't that he had forgotten the lesson Takuan had taught him: the truly brave man is one who loves life, cherishing it as a treasure that once forfeited can never be recovered. He well knew that to live was more than merely to survive. The problem was how to imbue his life with meaning, how to ensure that his life would cast a bright ray of light into the future, even if it became necessary to give up that life for a cause. If he succeeded in doing this, the length of his life--twenty years or seventy--made little difference. A lifetime was only an insignificant interval in the endless flow of time.”― Eiji Yoshikawa, Musashi

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Shaun