But there is one thing that with out fail brings me joy: witnessing a person do what they are passionate about.
I heard of Ted Talks in college... and I quickly fell in love. Now I fell in love for a few reasons - the content is almost always good, the speaking style varies with each talk but is engaging, and it is a great way to learn about new studies or interesting niches of academia.
However, what has me clicking on the TED talk playlist on YouTube is that with each video I witness passion. To me, that is amazing. That I can not only learn the 6 ways mushrooms can save the world, but I will see a man who is able to explain his work to a crowd who really only cared about the portabello. And even though I most likely will never be a spoken word poet, I can get a quick lesson from Sarah Kay, that spoken word doesn't have to be indignant.
People are created in the image and likeness of God. A truth that manifests itself in humanity's ability to love, to choose, and to create. And when we live full of love, when we choose to find God in our everyday, we are able to create, learn, and bring joy to others.
Over the weekend I witnessed another display of passion - the US woman's world cup team take the championship. As a soccer player for my whole life I may be biased, but it truly was one of the most impressive games I have ever seen. (Spoiler... we won)
I don't follow soccer, and I didn't know much of the history of the players before I saw the game. One thing, however, was impossible to miss - the passion and joy each player wore the entire game.
I mean... look at that face.
So as I sat on my couch this past Sunday watching the game, and as I listened to TED talks this morning I began to thank God for the gift of having passions. Because passionate people are not only found on stages or in stadiums - I see them every day. I see my boss, who, yes it is weird, is passionate about streamlining our processes at work to make it more efficient. I see friends who seek out adventure and live with a passion for discovering new places. And even in the most humble moments, I see the many mothers at our parish who passionately love their children encouraging them to grow.
"The Glory of God is a man fully alive" - St. Irenaeus
I try everyday to wake up and live with passion. And that is what I ask of you... when you live with passion, people notice.
