Life Questions Answered in 3.5 Hours

Is being too passionate foolish or an attribute?? Is there ever such a thing as being too passionate? I have always been a believer that you can never be too passionate, but I recently started to doubt my philosophy on living life. Have I been living too dangerously on a whim for the things I feel most passionately about? Lately, I've been telling myself that maybe I should tame it down and play it safe. Then, I saw a movie today, and another one last week... two movies that revived my spirits. When Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal for his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, that was an act of passion, and now this architectural wonder inspires unconditional love in millions of people. When Pablo Neruda wrote some of the most influential poems of the 20th century, that was act of passion, and now his work inspires social change in not only Chileans, but in many revolutionaries. Even though Einstein started off his life with many disappointments and failures, it was his passion for attaining more knowledge and demystifying the world that contributed to his discoveries in science, especially physics. No great life, positive change in the world, piece of art, love story in the history of this world has existed without passion playing a major part. So ask those first two questions again, and I will confidently reply... HELL NAH, there is NEVER such a thing as being too passionate (LIFE LESSON #2).

Let's be realistic though... with passion, comes criticism. People will call you mad, crazy, insane, and yes, foolish at times. Everlasting passion requires strength, courage, rationality, hope, and patience in order to endure. With the euphoria of passion, pain also has to come into contrast at some point. Let's take from Dumas' The Count of Montecristo. One of my favorite quotes of all time is from this book - "There is neither happiness nor unhappiness in this world; there is only the comparison of one state with another. Only a [person] who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss." Feeling passionate about life and love is the ultimate bliss... and I am a true believer that because my life has been filled with witnessing and experiencing painful moments, I have been able to experience life and love as deeply, and passionately as I have. No one lives a life without moments of despair and disappointments. Ever been burned by love even when you tried giving it your all? Ever been betrayed by a friend/family member? Ever been rejected by someone/from having something you truly desired? Ever lost someone dear to your heart whether by death, location, or a falling out? Ever had a failed attempt at a job, on a sports team, or in a personal endeavor? Ever lost faith in the world, yourself, or others around you? Ever been angered by the state of the world? Take your scars and turn them back into passion for positive change not vengeance... and without a shadow of doubt, you will do great things for yourself and the world.

I know you're wondering, what damn two movies did Nancy watch??



1) Vicky Cristina Barcelona (no, I am not kidding) -
a movie that inspires a never-ending life and love of art and beauty... a movie about the tragedy of settling for less than your passions... a movie about needing to take risks... a movie about seeing the world and creating irreplaceable travel memories with the ones you love... a movie that inspires you to be passionate about everything you do... a movie about the need to surround yourself by those who inspire you to live to your fullest potential.

Before I reveal the second movie... LIFE LESSON #3: Keep checking things off your " must do list" every day. I had been told to see this particular movie back in November, but I put it off till today... don't do the same... see it today... drumroll......

2) Slumdog Millionaire - a movie about complete and total unconditional familial and romantic love... a movie about the liberation of forgiveness... a movie about redemption... a movie about the power of hope... a movie about the virtue of patience and perseverance... a movie about creating your own destiny but letting destiny pull you by the reigns when intuition beckons... a movie that is so real, heartwrenching, and uplifting all at the same time. This movie took me through my roller coaster of life emotions in one sitting. I literally had my hand over my heart for half the movie.

This renewed sense of self has put me on a high... some may say it was the shot of expresso this morning, but I know this was different. When I walked out of the theater, the world seemed brighter but not blinding like the usual effect of exiting a matinee show. Later, I took a stroll to the post office during the intermission of blogging this entry, and as I opened the door I took in a deep breath of fresh air, smiled, and stepped forward. I'm as corny as it gets, but you know what? It beats being miserable and cynnical... that's fosho. Ask yourself today... what sparks your passions? Then, let go of your pain and fears, mend where needs to be mended, and step forward without turning back.


p.s. If you've read my previous posts, I am pleased to disclose that I have choosen to be an idealist physically on March 4th... but mentally now.