Infusing our soul with a special resilience, passion is a fire that refuses to burn out, driving us to do whatever it takes to learn, improve, and confidently strive toward victory. Without passion, we tend to go through the motions; passion drives us to grind harder, work smarter, and overcome challenges. The lifeforce of passion keeps us in pursuit of mastery, growing into something bigger than ourselves, and attracting excellent people and critical resources to help fulfill our mission. Passion is the high-octane rocket fuel that inspires loyalty, enthusiasm, teamwork, and, eventually, success.

Passion reflects the natural joy and enthusiasm of youth, the childlike curiosity that is never truly satisfied. As children get older, the fire in their souls can be threatened by the ways of the world, peer pressure, standardized curriculum, and the eventual responsibilities of adulthood. One of a mother’s duties is to protect her children’s zest for life.

The Great Outdoors
Humans are inclined towards intimacy with nature, biologically hard-wired to connect with Mother Earth. Rather than letting our children bury their faces in the lifeless pixel-mania of computer screens, take them hiking, swimming, traveling, boating, and into contact with the beauty of life: lush meadows, contorted trees, rolling ocean swells—any delight that is our natural world. Our powerful connection to our planet, however primitive, helps keep the childlike flame of passion burning inside. Exploration of the world around us gives birth to discovering our interests, and if we are lucky, our passions.

Socializing
By exploring the wonders and complexities of interpersonal relationships, children start to better understand the world. Just as we are drawn to nature, we are inherently social. Through social interaction, children are exposed to new ideas and concepts, allowing them to co-create new experiences and adventures with other children. Fueled by their imaginations, unstructured playtime allows them to explore their world, expand their interests, and dream of new possibilities. As kids engage in social situations, encourage them to be open-minded and ask questions to discover the many gifts offered by the interconnectedness with others.

Children’s Ambitions
Our children’s ambitions should be heard, supported, and valued; lofty aspirations felt during childhood are strongly correlated with educational success, increased earnings potential, and fulfillment in life. To help our children discover and embrace their passions, we must pay attention; watch them, listen to them, support them 100%, and focus on THEIR hopes and dreams (not the hopes and dreams that WE have for them). Allow THEIR passions to guide OUR interests, not the other way around. Be mindful to not overcoach or critique to the extent that their passion runs dry. Have the wisdom to trust that their passions align with their true self, support them in their journey, and allow the fires that light their souls to burn brightly. Do the little (and big) things to set the stage for them to discover their passion, stand back, and be amazed.

Summary
Even in the face of failure and adversity, passion allows us to reclassify unyielding barriers as breakable boundaries. Apple founder Steve Jobs said, “You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.” Fueled by passion, our entire lifeforce exudes, “This thing matters to me more than I can express in words, and I’m going to dedicate my soul to it.” By raising children who learn to embrace their passions, we foster a lifeforce of unlimited potential.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
—Colossians 3:23 ESV

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
—Philippians 4:13 KJV