from: Wyrmwood
It seems to me that passion is a powerful emotion mainly shown by men. It gets things done (stubbornness?), its enthusiastic (obsessiveness?) and combined with creativity can achieve great things.
so if its such a great thing, how is it that even in men it is rare? Are we getting caught up in our office jobs? Disillusioned? Mentally exhausted? Are these things crimping our style?
Passion, in my opinion is a wave of emotion that you can ride. It can take you places in a powerful and constructive way. But emotion is something that a lot of men have problems with --- the fear of losing yourself in the ocean of emotion -- the overwhelming aspect which you have no control over.
Guys expressing emotion isn't sitting around hugging and bawling your eyes out (which probably everyone should do at least once in their life - can be very healing). But I digress. Emotion is a lot more than this. And we have problems with it. We have problems experiencing the emotions, but even more of a hindrance is our inability to express in words what those emotions are. The tide surges within us, creating elation, turmoil, confusion, depression and even anger. But these are not the emotions I am talking about - these are the results of not being able to pinpoint what is going on within.
Some meditate, others go fishing/camping/walking. Whatever method of solitude and thought you take, this is the time to look at how you feel, look at whatever is causing unrest within you, and put it into words, understand it, and acknowledge it. This is, in my opinion, such an important understanding missing in many men's lives, to the detriment of them, their family and friends, and ultimately, the human race. It is something that needs doing regularly, and the danger signs are always there plain to see if you don't: depression, frustration, anger, fatigue/exhaustion, anxiety, indecisiveness, insensitivity to how you affect others, and many many more. Expressing emotions is something that guys generally don't get a lot of practice with - something which may be due to the way we are brought up?
Now, I'm not suggesting that we all become a bunch of snags (sensitive new-age guy) - they are the consequence of the other extreme: no fire, no passion, they have laid their emotions out like goods on a carpet, easily stepped on and taken advantage of. That doesn't do anyone any good. They have tried to become that which women seem to want, and have lost everything which makes them, not only a man, but that which makes them human - they have lost their spirit - and try to please everyone - something that cannot be done...
So between extremes is a balance. And the balance is found with practice - so how can we practice expressing our emotions? How can we find an environment where we can learn to express our emotions without fear of ridicule? How can we find an environment where if we do lay our emotions on a carpet, they won't be stepped on (and maybe helped to pick them up again)???? How can we learn not to be swamped by emotions? How can we learn to create shields instead of walls?
Its a scary topic - and believe it or not, it is often the most physically secure men who are the most afraid or talking about, or expressing emotions. What is there to be afraid of? Once you learn to ride the waves of emotion, without letting it swamp you, you can find that passion - and passion can take you to great things!
blessings,
Wyrmwood