Throughout the course of history, the visions of great men and women before us who facilitated change in our lives for the better had one overriding characteristic in common while pursuing their aspirations. They were passionate about what they believed in. They set aside all risks and overcame many obstacles to achieve their desired result. Their passion for achieving their mission was always burning inside them. It was the source of energy to fuel their fires to forge ahead.

When someone is ignited with passion you can see the energy in their eyes. A passionate person sets aside all fear and blazes a trail for others to follow and does not look back and second guess their life’s choices. Their vision is their mission; their singleness of purpose. It is through their passion that others are swept up in the excitement of the passionate person’s objective. The passionate person is able to create an environment in which others easily enjoin themselves to the vision of what can be and willingly participate in the execution of the plan to bring the vision to fruition.

There are two types of passion; negative and positive. Negative passion is one that is grounded in tearing people down in order to lift others up. Negative passion is grounded in self-centeredness and ego, and the desire to control others. Negative passion does nothing but to create division and friction in order to fulfill an ill-conceived vision grounded in malevolence.

The forces of negative passion are hard at work to prevent the fulfillment of equality and justice for all in this great nation. Daily we see malevolent passion at work through the subjugation of queer Americans and other minorities to second class status with passage of discriminatory legislation and constitutional amendments, and legislation that makes it much more difficult to exercise one’s right to vote, without undue restriction. The right to privacy and choosing what is best for oneself is also under attack by those grounded in the fulfillment of malevolent ends.

Conversely, positive passion is grounded in lifting people up and creating an environment of equality and justice. When one is positively passionate, their vision is on the welfare of others and the desire to create unity and cohesion for the betterment of society as a whole. The vision is one that is grounded in benevolence and love for other human beings. Focus is on human dignity and trusting individuals to make choices that are best for them and encourages people to be who they were born to be.

Ignite your passion and ground it in positive energy to work for the betterment of society and to achieve equality and justice for all throughout this great country. Discover what drives you forward and excites you and sets your spirit on fire. Channel it toward whatever you feel is best for you.

We must also be cognizant that different people will have different levels of passion for what they believe and we must respect all individual efforts and support each other despite our difference of opinion and choice of method. If your passion compels you to simply contribute to an organization that works toward equality and you wish to defer your personal efforts to that organization to work on your behalf, then contribute whatever you feel is appropriate to match your passion level. If you desire to channel your passion through more vociferous means, then become an activist and shout your message freely and loudly to all that wish to hear it and do not fear repercussion, ridicule or admonishment by others for exercising a more vocal approach.

Regardless of how you wish to express your passion, do whatever is necessary to ignite your passion to a level you are comfortable with and that drives you forward to induce benevolent change. Society depends on passionate people grounded in positive energy to change the world for the better.

Have you ignited your passion? If not, what will it take for you to create the spark to set it on fire to burn brightly inside of you? Think about your life and where you are versus where you want to be. What will it take for you to set your passion on fire to achieve the person you want to be? Search within yourself and you will find the answer!