Joseph Campbell, writer and lecturer, coined the phrase ‘follow your bliss’ in the late 1980s. His philosophy is often identified with that phrase. People resonated with the term and it’s been popular ever since the early 1990s.
It caught my attention as another possible, helpful way to describe, understand and learn and share more about what passion really is.
The dictionary definitions I found for both words are interesting.
Passion is a strong or compelling emotion or feeling, extravagant fondness, fervor, enthusiasm for anything.
Bliss is supreme happiness, utter joy and contentment.
Hmm. This made sense to me, enlightened me…see if it is helpful to you. To me bliss is the ultimate result we are striving for. However, first we need to find our passion. Only then can we take that passion, internalize it, manifest it, and thus live life at the next level, a level of bliss (ultimate passion). Does that make a bit of sense to you?
Passion leads to bliss…
--First, we find the calling in our heart (our passion) and accept it completely.
--Second, we build, grow and manifest our passion…build a business, build and manifest our life’s work and purpose.
--and finally, we monetize it to provide us abundance that supports our life’s purpose, happiness and desired lifestyle… to bliss.
Awesome results are possible when we find our passion! And act upon it.
Finding My Passion.
Makes me recall a wonderful passion I had for knitting.
Seeing beautiful cable knit sweaters, other beautiful knit garments in magazines caught my eye. I wanted to see my young sons, even myself wearing sweaters like that….I REALLY wanted my family to have and enjoy the warmth, comfort and beauty of these unique garments. My curiosity became an intense desire in my gut. I still remember the feeling, a good feeling….I just had to do it feeling.
Build, Grow, And Develop My Passion
How can I do that? I can if I learn how, so I took lessons, made some small items. It was so much fun, challenge of making each stitch with same tension so it looked perfect (or nearly). I practiced day and night, every spare moment I could find.
Then I found a unique yarn shop, expert owner there, bought pattern books, yarn, and tackled the BIG projects I originally had in mind. She mentored me, taught me more things, got me the special yarns – just perfect for designs and ducks and Bambi, and more. Everywhere I went, all the time, my focus was on yarn, knitting techniques, needles, patterns, looking for that ultimate beautiful sweaters for my family.
Manifest My Passion
It took a few years. My passion increased, my focus intensified, my skills grew from daily practice, and I accomplished my goal. Yes, I knit daily way into the early morning hours when boys were sleeping, it was in my blood, it was my relaxation, my fun, my challenge! I couldn’t stop.
Doing my passion was awesome! It was my bliss to see my family and myself wearing these unique, hand-made sweaters, and receiving compliments from people. Living my passion filled me with joy and bliss.
Monetize My Passion and Let it Support My Purpose
We lived a frugal lifestyle where most of the clothes we wore were hand made. We wore the knit garments and didn’t buy sweater-jackets and coats at retail stores. The boys’ sweaters were jackets for cool days, fall and winter seasons (double wool yarn, heavy duty and warm with generous collars that could be opened to almost cover their ears in cold weather). And they stretched to grow as the boys grew, so didn’t require replacement every year. My passion to knit saved money and it gave me great joy.
Today
A couple days ago chatting with a lady and conversation turned to knitting. The memory, feeling in my gut and heart……..all the wonderful memories came back. I wanted to run right down to a knitting shop and buy some yarn. Seems that passion is still very intense…now in memory, not action. At least for the time being.
What stories and experiences of passion or bliss have you had?
We welcome your stories in the Topics Section of the Passion Branding Community.
Your stories will inspire and encourage other BraveHeartWomen in their journey to discover their passion.
Barbara Filla
Passion Branding Community
Passion Clarification + Brand Recognition = Monetization.
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