What are you passionate about?

Never understood the question. Never knew how to answer it. Nobody ever spoke about even finding a passion, let alone pursue one.

I did stumble upon a few things though, that made me happy. That I did on occasion. But I was told they were “hobbies”.

Yet, here it was now. The big question. From MBA entrances to job interviews, everybody was fixated on knowing my passion. I am not sure they knew theirs, but knowing mine seemed to be pressing.

Confounded, I began frantically looking about my whole life. Like a zombie. Passion! MUST. BE. SOMEWHERE.

Who knows it could have easily strayed into the huge pile of flourishing mediocrity and never been rescued. Or as easily been preyed upon by my complacence. Poor thing! If only I could find it in time to save us both!

Voila!

Education! I am passionate about education.

What do you mean you are passionate about education?

I believe education is a great leveller and that good education should be accessible and affordable to everybody. And I want to work towards it. So, yeah, education is my passion.

Great! So, have you done anything in this regard?

No, but it has definitely been a dominating thought.

Then, how can you call it your passion if you haven’t done anything yet?

Well, does teaching at Kilkari girls’ shelter home that one time count?

Nope.

Umm, okay. Not education then. How about movies?

What about movies?

I love movies. I love how some moving pictures can evoke a myriad of emotions. I am amazed at how so many moving pieces have to come together to make one whole thing, and that all these pieces have to work in perfect tandem with each other for it to deliver the same idea with which it was conceived.

Okay. I see. So, you want to make movies?

No.

Made some short films in college then?

Nope.

Movie reviews on social media?

Negative.

Then, how do you say it is your “passion”?

Umm, my eyes light up while talking about movies. I can quote hundreds of movie dialogues at the drop of a hat, and I have spent many an evening honing my craft of movie appreciation.

Yes, but so have million others with no tangible talent. What makes you different?

Can many people not share a passion?

They sure can, but then they have to be better at it than all the others.

So, let me get this straight. I have to like something, be good at it, also be better at it than all the others, and by now, should have made something of it?

Correct. Now you are getting somewhere.

Only then does it qualify as a passion?

Yes.

And everybody has one? A passion?

Most people we ask do.

And faring well in academics and scoring marks in standardised tests do not count?

Nope.

Okay. So how did they find it? Their passion?

Well, for many, THEIR PASSION FOUND THEM. They say it came to them in their moments of sudden overwhelm, when their minds were away from all the clutter and noise of their vain existences, and they simply let it soak in. They say it made them feel alive.

Interesting! And how do you find these moments? Of no clutter, no noise?

Well, you know what they say. To each their own.

Still?

I am not sure.

So, have you found them?

No.

But you have a passion?

Yes.

So, what are you passionate about?

Umm, penguins.