A Passion or Two

I have been talking to some friends lately about passion. Not romantic passion, but more as a zest for the little things in life. In the grand scheme of things we are all a very tiny part of a very large machine. When you stop to think about how insignificant each of us really are it can be a little overwhelming. Looking at the bigger picture can easily make us feel lost, worthless, or meaningless.
That's why it is important to find ways to make a difference in this world. Linkin Park of all bands has a song on its latest album that sums this up pretty well;

I dreamed I was missing
You were so scared
But no one would listen
Cause no one else cared

After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here

So if you're asking me
I want you to know

[Chorus]
When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest

Pretty powerful stuff. When we're not here any more most of us will be missed by someone. But life does go on. Once life resumes for those we leave behind we only live on in their memories .

I say all of that depressing stuff to actually make a pretty positive point. Are you really living life right now? Are you leaving memories and making imprints? I think one way we can get the most out of our lives and to make those imprints is through our passions in life.

I know more than a fair share of people who just seem to miss the point. They don't get excited about anything. Nothing comes up that makes them giddy or gives them that anxious feeling of anticipation.

So I have been thinking about my passions in life; the things that really get me geeked up about life and I wanted to list them for you here. These are in no order at all, they are all things I am passionate about. Some are serious and some are really goofy, but each one is important to me. Specific people are not a part of this list.

- Miami Hurricanes
- Miami Dolphins (even with only one win I watched every painful game)
- Memphis Tigers Basketball
- The start of any new sports season
- A new Bright Eyes CD
- March Madness brackets
- A new movie I really want to see
- A live concert
- A road trip
- A new restaurant
- Song lyrics that move me
- Softball season
- Ping Pong
- Board Games
- Listening to music with the windows rolled down in my car
- Sitting around talking to friends late at night
- The new TV season
- LOST
- Brutus
- A great book

These are just a few, but it makes me happy to know that it takes so little to make me happy. And I think that friendships are made even better when you are able to share similar passions with people. Those of you who just don't have a passion or things that truly get you excited, really ask yourself why that is. I think you are missing out. It's these little passions that make life meaningful to each of us and keep us from just going through the motions. The passions are our connection to others.

What are some of your passions?