Passion Force - Altruism

 Blend your passion with the thought of doing good to humankind.

Altruism is defined as ‘unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others’ and also ‘behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species’. How does altruism become a force of passion? In the ongoing recession, we have seem millions of jobs being lost. 

Many of these people have taken up volunteer work in social or environmental organizations.

 And quite a number of them have discovered that this selfless work gives them more satisfaction than their high paying job ever gave them.

 Their paradigm has shifted from the prosperity of the body to the prosperity of the soul.

 The concept of altruistic work has often been mocked by an aggressive materialistic society. 

Social workers are called ‘do-gooders’ and there is always a cynical and contemptuous ring to that phrase. But after years of ruthless ladder climbing, people often cherish the ability to be themselves and help other people. 

Bill Gates of Microsoft built a huge empire through ruthless corporate tactics, often getting embroiled in monopolistic practice lawsuits. But after all that, he set up an equally huge foundation that disburses vast sums of money to fight disease and improve education. 

Altruism is generally overruled by stronger passions geared towards material success in the early years, but as age advances, altruistic thoughts resurface and become a primary passion in most of us. 

This is probably because we know that great people are remembered less for the millions that they make, but rather for their service to humanity. 

No volunteer or social worker ever starved. While there aren’t any millions to make in selfless service to the lesser privileged sections of humanity, the rewards of spiritual fulfillment are tremendous.

 The same passion that runs a corporate unit can be brought into play in running a successful Non-Governmental Organization or a Not for Profit outfit. 

All your skills can be well utilized in these noble ventures and you will see your passion suddenly multiply. 

 Epiphany 

One of the definitions of epiphany is ‘A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization.’ That’s a moment in your life when you are suddenly struck by a powerful thought that changes your life forever.

 A lifelong passion can be triggered by an epiphany. 

Saul the persecutor of the followers of Jesus Christ undergoes an epiphany on the road to Damascus and his life is changed forever. He went on to become one of Christ’s greatest apostles. Such a life-changing incident occurs in the lives of many great men. It may be something provocative that someone says to you.

 It may be the sight of another human being suffering. 

It can be a sudden realization that you hate your present job and you decide what you really want to do in life. Sometimes an epiphany can be a harsh tragic event like the demise of a family member or some colossal disaster somewhere in the world. 

Your eyes open wide and all the shades fall off. 

You can see clearly around you and far ahead. 

You do not have to sit and await an epiphany to change your life. Read good works of literature, listen to inspiring music and songs, travel around, meet people and you will be struck by a light on your own road to Damascus. 

The Epiphany is also a Christian feast which celebrates God being revealed to Man in the form of Jesus Christ.

 So this can be taken as a metaphor for the spiritual being in us manifested in the physical form. Which is what passion is all about. 

Our spiritual energy driving our material body to achieve ideals and goals that are godlike! Inventors and discoverers experience epiphanies all the time. Archimedes was struck by his discovery of buoyancy and ran out yelling – Eureka! Eureka!

 May you too experience an epiphanic moment and share old Archie’s happiness!

Getting passionate about your career and blazing a glorious path at the office is great. But don’t let your loved ones suffer from a lack of passion at home. A proper balance has to be struck by giving love to your spouse and children too. 

A passionate lifelong affair with your wife or husband can do wonders in your work life too.

 You are happy and relaxed and your body glows with the healing effects of healthy loving sex. 

The love you shower on your children is also reciprocated many times over. 

A man is truly respected if he excels in all his roles – 

as a worker, 

- a son,

- a husband and a father 

- (and even a grandfather) and a community member. 

Devote time and passion to all these roles. 

When you have genuinely mastered the art of passion, you will find that it pervades every minute of your day, be it in the boardroom or bedroom or playroom.

 Passion can become a double-edged sword if not wielded properly. Spending hours and hours of obsessed extra time at the workplace can affect your health as well as your family relations. 

Neglecting to attend your son’s school events and not cheering him at his football match can create an alienation that can never be repaired. An unfulfilled spouse can also prove very damaging in the long run. A marriage can fall apart and a string of unhappy one night stands can never take the place of a loving caring relationship.

 Passion is not about throwing huge family parties where everyone can feed on your wealth. It isn’t about giving a no-limit credit card to your wife or the latest bike to your son. 

It is spending time and effort to share your life and soul with your loved ones.

 Passion lies in transmitting your passion for life to your children, your wife and all around you.