The ManicaPost
“Purpose may point you in the right direction but it’s passion that propels you.” [Travis McAshan].
A life that is lived without passion cannot be counted as having been lived. You can achieve anything that you want in life if you apply your mind towards it and punctuate it with passion. Some years ago I was in Nyanga at a certain hotel; I saw something that really inspired me.
Close to the reception area there is a warm fire by the foyer, to some people it is an ordinary fire, but not to the people who understand the history and purpose of the fire. The fire was lit in 1948, and ever since then it has never been put out. The flame has been alive for 68years. Each and every time the staff will add some ingredients so that the fire keeps on burning.
The routine is continued up to now and the guests are kept warm through this practice. Many people may actually be younger than the fire, but have lived to see it. Some people might even have died, leaving the fire alive. You can do that with your life; you can keep the fire in you burning and even increase the heat. There are some interesting thoughts that we can share from this story.
There is fire in you
“There is no greatness without a passion to be great, whether it’s the aspiration of an athlete or an artist, a scientist, a parent, or a businessperson.” [Anthony Robbins]. There is a fire within each and every one us. That’s desire, that passion that you feel every time, you are doing something, some even feel the urge when they are sleeping. You are not born empty; there is something that was deposited within you ever since the first time you breathed your first breath. Your dreams, goals are like a fire, how they will perform is dependent on the input that you will give. You can give life to that fire in your heart or you can put it out, you can allow people to put out the fire from within you, or you can disallow them from doing so.
A number of times our dreams have been aflame, but they die for one reason or another. Some people are always good at telling about what they wanted to do some many years, but will never account for the inaction. Well you can change this course and give life to the fire within you. Explore some questions below;
What dream do you have?
What goals have you been setting for the past years?
How many dreams or goals have you committed to the dustbins of antiquity?
Why have you been doing so?
What are you going to do about them?
Gather the resolve
“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.” [Ferdinand Foch – French Military Strategist]. Resolve in your heart to keep the fire burning. Make a daily commitment to encourage yourself, to add value to your vision, to your call, to your purpose and so on. One of the greatest tools that we have as human beings is the power of choice.
This is what differentiates us from animals. They are void of choice, they survive on instinct. Make a conscious decision to fuel the flame in your heart, to add life to that dream of yours. If you do not add life to that goal, to that dream, do not expect anyone to do that for you. Protecting the fire within you is your personal concern. Make the resolution in your heart. Success is not an accident; it is a product of choice. In the same way you choose to be successful, you can also choose to be a failure by inaction.
Keep moving
The greatest tragedy the world is facing today is that of great intentions which have never seen the light of day in the form of action. It is good to have great intentions, but it is much better to take action. Fanning the fire will not be done by wishes, wishes will not take you anywhere but action with purpose will take you anywhere you want.
Your dreams are not going to translate into reality by their mere existence. In the same way that people are extending the lifespan to the fire by adding wood, wax, charcoal, you need to take action and protect the fire within you. This can never be emphasised enough. Dreams without an action plan are mere wishes. If you do not take action, you will kill your dream. Every dream needs to be fed.
Thrive on the momentum
Once you start doing something you gather momentum. Things start flowing, it is like a rhythm, for the fire at this hotel, the rhythm started some 68 years ago, but it started within somebody. Do not stop moving, keep the fire moving. Constantly check on the dream, reignite the passion. Attend seminars that will keep the dream alive.
No one can put out the fire within you without your permission. No one can kill that dream of yours without you first allowing them to do so. Have the enthusiasm to continue moving. “Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success.
When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson]
Share the story
A lot of people have been involved in maintaining the fire to date. This is because they have an understanding of the story of the fire, the meaning and significance. If people do not know where you are coming from, they will never understand you. If people do not understand the purpose for what you are doing, everything to them is gibberish.
The story of the fire has been preserved, and everyone who comes into contact gets the memory of the discipline of the years. Ensure that people, who are around you, respect the goals, the dreams that you have. Share your passion with people who will add value to your dream, and encourage you to move on. There are certain people who are good at putting out flames, cooling the zeal that other people have, whilst at the same time providing no alternative for achieving the goal.
Feed the fire
What does not add value to you, takes away value from you. What do you watch on television? How much time do you spend on television? What value have you obtained from the programs that you watch? Ask these questions in respect of the music you listen to, the entertainment that you prefer.
Is it fuelling the fire within you? Indulge in activities that add value to you, and not merely entertain you. If you do not take seriously the dream, passion or purpose upon your life, no one will do that for you. Take small steps daily, and feed your dream, you will discover that with time, you would have travelled a long distance.
Arthur Marara is an award winning author and speaker. He brings life to his audiences and delivers thought provoking talks for businesses, teams, organisations and churches. He is also a passionate attorney who has represented all types of clients from the lowest Courts to the Superior Courts in Zimbabwe. To experience Arthur Marara at your next event, contact +263772467255 or write to him through his email [email protected].
