by Tom Reilly
The great debaters of our time—Passion and Purpose—were deeply engaged in a discourse over the importance of their roles in life, each extolling the virtues of his domain.
Passion spoke first, “I am the energy that moves. Zealots depend on me for their enthusiasm. The apologist will study long and hard because I make the blood in his veins run fast. When the going gets tough, I keep the tough going. Without me, there is no joy in action—only busyness.”
Purpose responded, “True, you are the fire in the belly. You are the wind in their sails. But, without me—the rudder that steers the ship—they run in circles. You see, I am the reason for being. Though you compel, I guide. You excite; I direct.”
Passion interrupted: “Without me, life is listless. And people would quit when they fail.”
Purpose answered: “Yes, and without me, they just wander, looking for the next best thing.”
“What are we to do,” Passion said.
“Oh, I see you two are at it again.” Calling appeared and joined the conversation.
“Hey, Calling. I figured you would show up once we started talking. You always do,” said Purpose.
“I don’t get it. You two debate one’s superiority over the other. Get your egos out of it. Don’t you realize that both of you are necessary?”
Passion, energized by the challenge, said: “We enjoy the banter. It makes each of us think about our role in life. For me, it brings clarity.”
“Me, too, ” said Purpose.
“Okay, guys, here’s how I see it. Passion, you’re an inside thing. You come from within the person. I’ve heard some people refer to you as intrinsic. You exist for the individual. You move people.”
“That’s true—I get things stirred up,” Passion acknowledged.
“Purpose, you’re more of an outside thing. Where passion is an internal force, you are the external direction. You’re a compass for Passion. Without you, people are just all worked up.”
“Okay, I get it,” said Purpose. “What about you, though?”
“Oh, I’m the deep longing that comes from the energy people feel and the need that captures their attention. I exist alongside you two. There’s room for all three of us. In fact, all three of us need to work together to make sure the right stuff gets done.”
“You’re right, man. I see it all the time,” said Purpose. “People ask themselves, ‘Why am I here?’ It’s like they don’t know their reason for being. They don’t know how or where to use what they’ve got.”
Passion jumped in, “I feel like they long for some direction to use me. Sadly, though, I’ve encountered some people who feel no energy for anything. They merely suck air and leave piles behind them. The flowers have more purpose than they.”
“Look guys, think about the difference we make when all three of us work together. Passion, you answer the question for people: ‘What do I get so excited about that I would do it even if I didn’t get paid?’ Purpose, you answer the question for people, ‘Why am I here? What is the point of my talents?'”
“What question do you answer, Calling?”
“Simply, to what or where am I being drawn? What is the world asking of me?”
“So really, for us to matter, we have to help people answer all three questions,” said Passion.
Calling nodded, “Yes.”
“What were the questions again,” asked Purpose?
First, “What do I feel so passionately about that I would do it and stick to it even if I didn’t get paid?”
Second, “Why am I here—for what reason do I own my skills, talents, and blessings?”
Third, “Where does my joy, reason for being, and needs of the world meet?”
“Well, well, well. Look who’s at it again.”
“Hello, Contemplation, we knew that you would show up.”
