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What Does It Mean to Live with Passion?

It means you get out of bed every morning no matter how much it hurts or how broken your heart is.

It means you touch nature. Walk in the rain. Dance in the rain. Feel the rain dancing upon your cheeks! Sniff the air after a downpour. Gaze up upon the night sky and look out for stars wherever you are.

It means you see beauty in the world. Be more than just a tourist in the world of images, just watching images passing by. Take time to admire the beauty of both nature and architecture.

It means you go to the museum or that art gallery that you’ve always wanted to see but “never had time for”. It means you go bungy jumping, skydiving, or whatever it is you’ve always feared doing. You just do it, because life is too short for hesitations.

It means you accept yourself for what you are, and at the same time be able to balance the need between self-acceptance and growth.

It means you forgive yourself. Forgive yourself for all the things that you did, all the things that you didn’t do, and all the things that you should have done. You can’t get stuck on the regrets of what should have happened.

It means you taste life. Have some chocolate even if it does make you fat. And ice cream with chocolate syrup on top. And marshmallows!

It means you laugh out heartily at least once a day. And be able to laugh at yourself.

It means you do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire.

It means making time because time is precious. Spend time only on the things and people that matter. Be wise and strong enough to be able to tell which are the ones that don’t matter. Don’t waste time fooling around, playing the field, or on insincere people because time spent is the one thing that can never be regained.

It means you love. And you love unconditionally and deeply. You take risks even if you’ve been hurt before, because you can’t get stuck on all the ghosts of the past. It means to be passionate and devoted and dedicated and committed. It means you allow someone to take care of your heart, and not be afraid of paying the price for being this passionate.

It means you go out of your way to help a stranger in need. Be kind to everyone and anyone and all animals too! It means you stop counting the dollars and cents.

It means you pick up a foreign language! Or a new musical instrument. You listen to the music of life. You embrace different cultures. The only colour of people that you see is the colour of their character.

It means you are strong enough to not be “poisoned” into being or doing what society says. If the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it. Create your own.

This post is written at a time when I’m feeling lost and trying to find peace in my life and heart. I strongly recommend the book Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, which has inspired certain lines in this post. Feel free to add on to the list!

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About the Editor

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

Happy Lunar New Year 2007!

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Responses Leave a comment

andy
13 comments

Tuesdays With Morries is a GREAT book, one ofthe all time favourites! Really shows us how fragile and short our life is. Keep being the contribution you are! We all get into these moments once awhile, not to worry..u’ll bounce right up!
Reply
Posted February 19, 2007 at 9:26 pm
I
13 comments

im defintely going out to buy it. i’ve been hesitating to fork out my money to spend on the book. Miltch Albom is so finneee. Your post is oh so inspiring. (: I’m sure his other books ; 5 peoples you meet in heaven & the latest, For One More Day would be motivating as well. I’m going to get all! ((((:
Reply
Posted February 19, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Veron
3438 comments

andy: Thanks! I always do, don’t I?
I: I haven’t read “For One More Day“. But I have read “Five People You Meet In Heaven” and feel it’s overrated, although I’m sure it’s just me. “Tuesdays With Morrie” is definitely worth the 16 bucks. I bought two copies of it and gave one away.
Reply
Posted February 19, 2007 at 11:21 pm
nmt
9 comments

wow, what an inspiring post.. thanks!!
sometimes, i also feel lost.. u know, like everything i’ve strived for so hard doesn’t matter anymore; the problem that i face seems to be so big that i just want to give it up.. and stuff like that..
and i want to emphasize that it is normal for everyone to feel that way.. because life is not and will never be a bed of roses.. it is full of ups and downs..
here is what Rocky said in the movie Rocky Balboa..
“The world ain’t all sunshines and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place. And I don’t care how tough you are, it’ll beat you to your knees and keep it there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody.. is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.. how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.”
so, everytime i fall down, i will just get up again, shake the dirt off my body and move forward. (i watch inspiring movies when i’m feeling down.. u know, like It’s a wonderful life, Patch Adams, The Mighty, etc.. it’s an instant pick-me-up for me..) and i’m sure u will get over anything that u are facing now, cos i know that u have a very brave, strong and kind heart. =)
oh, i haven’t read tuesdays with morrie.. it was recommended to me by my close friend a long time ago. but haven’t got time to go borrow and read the book.
=)
Reply
Posted February 19, 2007 at 11:59 pm
chillycraps
42 comments

I didn’t pay for the book and I read it. So much advantage taken.
i’m not a Christian but this prayer gave me strength, and I would like to share with you:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
Reply
Posted February 20, 2007 at 12:04 am
xxoos
14 comments

a bit morbidly, i think we need to live each day as if it were the last, that something unknown might happen to us the next day and that would be the end of everything. people our age keep thinking that we have tomorrow, we have next year to do everything we want to do before we grow old, but we don’t realise that there is also a possibility of us not being able to grow old.
i’ve to say, many times the procrastination bug and inertia gets into me, and making me not wanting to do things, but well, at least do the fun stuff as soon as possible~ hehe~ yup, when at lost just do what your heart tells you to, skip the boring stuff and go on with the fun stuff~
Reply
Posted February 20, 2007 at 2:30 am
andy
13 comments

Yes you certainly do! Still waiting for Mussels at Oosters :P
Reply
Posted February 20, 2007 at 10:25 am
Da Tou
1 comment

Hey, ur post is very well written.
You’re certainly very in-tune with your current feelings and i’m sure it won’t be long before you bounce back into action again!
:)
God Bless..
Reply
Posted February 20, 2007 at 12:46 pm
laurie
1 comment

always love Morrie’s words like:
ur dead when u r in bed
Reply
Posted February 20, 2007 at 8:05 pm
mervkwok
38 comments

err… does this mean that it means i have to love computers eventhough my laptop burnt on me for the 3rd time in 6 months? :P
hope you find peace soon mate =)
Reply
Posted February 21, 2007 at 12:06 am
think2ink
5 comments

I never liked Mitch’s books, though I’ve read some of them. Perhaps it’s time for a re-read? Still, insightful self-reflections are a very personal thing and very rarely can someone TRULY understand the deeper meanings behind the things you write. Hope you’ll find the answers to the questions in your life soon! ;)
Reply
Posted February 21, 2007 at 12:18 am
lucas
5 comments

never live through a life with passion, let the passion LIVES through you!
never live through a lift with passion, ENJOY the life using passion!
How? There’re three things you can do.
DO IT!
DO IT AGAIN!
STILL DO IT AGAIN!
who’s complaining? why care?
humans invented the coloured television because we BELIEVED that life is COLOURFUL!!!
Reply
Posted February 21, 2007 at 1:06 am
Mintea
6 comments

“People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
(Sorry I don’t know who the quotes from – I just read it somewhere and liked it. Keep your spirits up! We’re all with you!)
Reply
Posted February 22, 2007 at 6:15 am
Veron
3438 comments

Hey Mintea, I loved that. Thanks for sharing :)
Reply
Posted February 22, 2007 at 4:13 pm
ames
3 comments

great article.
i am going through a phase too. and it always great to read something positive and inspiring.
thanks!
Reply
Posted March 5, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Chris Pork
1 comment

wow, such a powerful entry. it really made me smile!
your website is pure inspiration. it shows what can be accomplished if one has the passion and dedication to focus on their craft. my website still has along ways to go b4 it looks like yours!
and your vibe and thoughts are very positive and encouraging, thank you.
tuesdays with morrie was a very good book. I also would like to recommend “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl
smile sparkleeee!!!
:)
Reply
Posted March 5, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Veron
3438 comments

ames: I’m glad that you found this inspiring!
Chris Pork: Wow, two Canadians commenting one after another. Are you two related? Thanks for the recommendation! I would be sure to check out that book. That title does sound inspiring!
Reply
Posted March 5, 2007 at 11:32 pm
aSKer
1 comment

Hello. Great job. I did not expect this. This is a great info. Thanks!
Reply
Posted March 10, 2009 at 11:37 pm