the passionate people

As with most people, I am affected by the media. In the past few days I watched both Amazing Grace and Lincoln for the first time. This was not planned in the least! Movies, songs, advertising, and the news all make me think and feel things that I might not otherwise have thought about or felt. This is something I am so thankful for! (I'll not go into a whole list of reasons why, but there are many reasons). Lately, they have prompted me to think about passionate people who have made, or are making, a difference in the world. These passionate people challenge the very core level of our belief system. Here are some observations I have made about passionate people who change their environment ... I am going to leave out belief in the cause because that is a prerequisite to most passion:

They don't follow the rules: that may or may not mean they break the rules but they sure aren't conventional to policy. They don't necessarily do as they are told. If they did, nothing would ever change.

They are not people pleasers: generally, at least half the people they come in contact with don't like their ideas and can often not like them as a person.

They don't lead balanced lives: passion keeps you up at night; it prompts you to work long hours; it weighs on your mind; it leads you to unsafe places.

They count the cost: They are not just rash in their judgements, they see the cost and walk, or charge, straight into it. They will always pay a price.

They surround themselves with people who give them wise council: these are not people assigned to them but people who can temper passion, wisdom, and focus.

They don't argue for argument sake: they aren't peace keepers, they are peace makers which sometimes requires an argument.

They believe that change is possible: not only this, they also have almost a high view of the role they will play in that change - "If I don't challenge it, who will?"

They are not always loud: it doesn't take a fight for someone to passionately change their environment. It takes perseverance. Powerful change can happen through unwavering, quiet words and actions.

It is the passionate people who we think are a little odd, off their rocker, or a little too out-there. They would fit into the world a little better if they just toned it down a little or did things the "right" way. I am so thankful for the passionate people who have gone before me. I am so thankful for the passionate people I know. I am so thankful for the passionate people who I will never meet.