Passion in the small things

"It is my passion in life."

The truth is, when I hear myself say that to people, I can't help but feel a little corny. I've even gone to the extent of adding a disclaimer, "I know it sounds cheesy but it is my passion in life."

It's not because I am shy of what I'm passionate about (which is being a pro bellydancer who trains as regularly as possible, performs, and teaches). It's just that, sometimes, it feels like such a scary word--"passion". There are so many meanings and expectations attached to this word. It proclaims so much -- a burning, an abandonment of sense, an all-encompassing consumption of your being that is daunting to experience in a world that may ask us to be pragmatic. Maybe I am not the only one who thinks this.

Since embarking on this life experiment, I've been challenging myself to use that word as often as possible, to make it a part of my casual, everyday vocabulary, to simply not be intimidated by "passion" and what most people say it entails.

And we shouldn't be, because passion can be in the routine, in the little things, and in the every day. I'm fortunate enough to know all shades of passionate people, and they show that it isn't just in the grand sweeping actions and bold declarations. It's also in the little things:

    in fixing a broken costume at the soonest possible time to be ready for the next performance, 

   choosing one word over the other while writing,

   adding just a pinch and not two of herbs to your cooking,

   mixing a drop or two more of yellow to paint that sunset,

   waking up 15 minutes earlier than usual for a meeting or presentation today,

   choosing to bring the bigger backpack on your trip,

   waiting 3 seconds before delivering your punchline,

   making your beloved feel better with a simple "I'm here"...

And we're already doing some of this! It's just the recognition that may be lacking - yes, folks, you may already be living the passionate life you've always wanted. You just haven't acknowledged it yet. Perhaps when we relate "passion" to the simpler actions we can be less afraid of saying it out loud.  It might even be a gift that will keep on giving -- making passion mean the everyday little things just may make these everyday little things feel grander.

The beautiful thing I realized is there is no pressure to express passion with fireworks all the time. It doesn't have to be that big movie blockbuster with the amazing special effects or that heart-stopping song with the majestic orchestral arrangement... It can be your everyday essential, a habit, a secret small thing that puts a smile on your face. And when we recognize passion also in the small things, maybe we can more fearlessly live ours.