The word “passion” gets used a lot in conversations about purpose, goals, pursuing dreams, etc. To be clear, I think passion is important. Vital, really. But let’s not let the conversation devolve into mushy rah-rah sentimentality. Back up everybody, I’m ’bout to get etymological…
Our modern word “passion” derives from the Latin word patī. Literally, “to suffer.” Hence, a passion play — a drama illustrating the suffering of Christ.
So is your passion something that you love? Yes. But more accurately, it’s something that you’re willing to suffer for.
So, is there anything that you’re truly passionate about?
Among the myriad things we want, which are we actually willing to pay to price to pursue?
– Matthew Porter
