Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire (Fueling your Passion)

One Friday night I discovered that I had no hot water. A minor issue that lasted until Sunday morning, and yes, when I was taking a cold shower on Saturday I felt like I was having a heart attack. But hey, it could always be worse, right?

What caused this problem? Simple, the pilot light on the hot water heater was out.

Keep the Fire Burning

The purpose of a pilot light is to provide the flame necessary to light the gas that comes out of a main burner. When a furnace turns on, a valve releases gas into the burner, it passes over the pilot light and the gas ignites, providing heat. All you have to do is light it and this little pilot light burns all the time. Without it, there will be no heat.

When is the last time you checked your pilot light? And I’m talking about the one in your heart. You remember, the one that used to burn with passion about something at one time or another.

There are three things that keep a fire burning: oxygen, heat and fuel.

• Oxygen: Can represent you or your life
• Heat: Can represent your passion or desire
• Fuel: Can represent action

It’s pretty easy to see that if you do not have one of these three components, whether it’s in you or in the wilderness, the fire won’t keep burning for very long.

Are you Burnt Out?

Your passion is a driving force. It motives you to do your best. Let’s look at the example of a job or a relationship.  In the beginning you’re very attentive and diligent and you put effort into it, and magically everything turns out great, for a while.  Then over time what often happens is that it seems to lose its luster and coincidentally, you lose any lust you may have felt towards it. Then, your actions change to reflect your “new” dimmer outlook and all of a sudden this great opportunity or relationship isn’t so hot anymore. Where did it go wrong? You cut off the fuel source because the passion faded.

“Passion is the quickest to develop, and the quickest to fade. Intimacy develops more slowly, and commitment more gradually still.” ~Robert Sternberg

What is Passion?

It’s basically any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. It causes you to act, it’s something that gets you pumped up. As the quote above says, “it’s the quickest to develop.” We get excited about a new job or a relationship and it’s the best thing ever!! But then what happens? Where does that fire go?

Maybe there is a lesson we can learn about letting something build and develop over time. And also that if we continued being attentive, diligent and putting effort into our relationships or business, then maybe it would magically remain great. The key seems to be that we have to keep working at it.

“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” ~ Ann Landers

A Pilot Light or Auto Pilot?

You have to go after what you truly want, after figuring out what that is.  We often settle for something less, and wind up feeling stuck and going through the motions or, we keep moving onto what we feel is the next best thing, because we get caught up in the excitement of the new and improved opportunity, only for that to cool off as well. What would get you jumping out of bed in the morning as if it was the first day of summer? Pursue whatever that is and be consistent with your actions, letting it grow over time. If you don’t want to switch gears right now, maybe you can remember why you chose your current relationship or opportunity in the first place, and work to rekindle that flame.

If earning money, having less stress or a chance at blissful romance won’t make an opportunity good enough for you, then what will? There has to be more to it than that.  That’s where following your passion comes into play. It may take time and you may encounter some resistance but the end result will be worth it.

Follow your heart (oxygen) and let your passion (heat) consistently fuel (action) whatever endeavor you choose and stay committed. If it’s your choice, then it’s your responsibility to make it work, so be attentive and diligent and keep putting effort into it. All it takes is a sustained effort.

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning” Luke 12:35

Disclaimer: Please consider that I am not talking about when you discover that a job, opportunity or a person is not a good fit. I’m talking about missed opportunities, the ones that carry regret, and that might have worked out had the fire kept burning.

Rob Liano
Rock Star Life Coach & Sales Trainer
www.rockstarsalestraining.com
1.855.832.ROCK (7625)

 © Rob Liano and Rock Star Success Coaching, 2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Rob Liano and Rock Star Success Coaching with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.