THE PURSUIT OF PURPOSE, PASSION AND ANYTHING PURPLE…

Do you have to feel good to get out of bed and hit the ground running OR do you need to get out of bed and hit the ground running to give yourself a chance to feel good?

COVID has changed much for many and a ton for Coffee with Cote’ and as I complete the 2021 victory lap with P being the remaining piece in the P.A.C. puzzle, I have to ask: “Has COVID influenced how we can gain Passion in our daily lives?” (see Commitment CwC in May 2021, Activity CwC in January 2021 for the full P.A.C. pour).

Prior to COVID, I had never known what it truly means to be grounded as in doing so would be exposed; being too vulnerable and cheating myself of passion. Multi-tasking and thinking of the next big thing have been my thing for so long that it has become my internal engine, a compass for my way of purpose that gives me passion each day when getting out of bed.

Now, don’t confuse this way of thinking that it means growth isn’t important, that’s not the message here. It’s just living a frantic life, being “on” 24/7 has always meant not missing out and not falling behind – but could the opposite actually be true? That maybe, just maybe, if being on 24/7 is never missing out – could it be that being on 24/7 is missing out on everything?

St. Augustine famously remarked that in this world two things are essential – life and friendship. Likewise, a famous Buddhist echoed that friendship is the essential spiritual journey. While important as these are, is there even more that we can consider essential (that COVID has brought to light) that brings growth and purpose leading to more meaningful, passionate days?

• Is it important to hit 10,000 golf balls to see your handicap lowered a few strokes OR time better spent on the course with your league partner, especially when he lets you play your favorite song for the 5th time?
• Is it important to train through the winter to run the next marathon or time better spent having that great next conversation with your wife going on a walk?
• Is it important to see your fantasy team break 150 points for the week or time better spent getting a chance to see the smile on the face of your boys when our favorite college team finally gets that win over Ohio State?

Why it took COVID (with the slowness and isolation it created) for this light to appear, I am not sure. Maybe it was just that prior, the vulnerability this may have produced would have been too much to admit.

As COVID has created a pause of sorts, I have come to realize that passion isn’t any less but instead filled with more purpose. More purpose and meaning, making it that much easier ot get out of bed for a morning run – even when it’s raining outside.