Passion
Composed By Muhammad Aqeel Khan
Date 7/8/2025
Fuel for the Fire
Passion is a potent, elusive force—intangible yet profoundly impactful. It’s the heartbeat behind masterpieces, the voice behind movements, the fuel behind resilience. Often described as an inner fire, passion drives individuals to pursue dreams, endure hardship, and achieve greatness. But where does it come from? And can it shape not only personal ambition but also the direction of our relationships and society at large?
In this essay, I will explore the origins of passion, its role in my own life, its transformative potential, and its darker edge. Along the way, I’ll share research from psychology and philosophy, offer real-world examples, and reflect on how passion can both illuminate and burn.
Where Does Passion Come From?
Psychologists define passion as “a strong inclination toward a self-defining activity that one loves, finds important, and in which one invests time and energy” (Vallerand et al., 2003). According to Dr. Robert J. Vallerand, who developed the Dualistic Model of Passion, there are two types: harmonious passion and obsessive passion. Harmonious passion aligns with one's identity and values; it enhances well-being. Obsessive passion, on the other hand, controls the person and may lead to burnout or conflict (Vallerand et al., 2003).
Passion can arise from exposure, curiosity, or even hardship. For some, it emerges naturally in childhood—an interest in painting, storytelling, or science. For others, it develops later, sometimes after a major life event. Neuroscientific studies suggest that passion activates the brain’s reward circuitry, particularly the dopaminergic system, which is responsible for motivation and goal-directed behavior (Volkow et al., 2011).
In essence, passion is both biological and experiential—it’s born from the interplay between our brain chemistry and our environment.
My Story: A Passion for Words
My own journey with passion began with books. As a child, I found solace in stories. While others played outside, I was curled up with a novel or scribbling in notebooks. What started as a love for reading evolved into a compulsion to write. In my teenage years, I wrote poetry, articles, and short stories. Writing was never just a hobby—it was my identity.
But I didn’t always follow this passion. For a time, practicality took over. I pursued a degree in a more “secure” field, shelving my dreams of being a writer. The result was a period of deep dissatisfaction. I was technically “successful” but emotionally starved.
Eventually, I returned to writing—first as a side project, then as a career. The shift was not easy, but it was transformative. Writing now fuels my sense of purpose, provides emotional release, and connects me with others. In this way, my passion didn’t just shape my career—it shaped my well-being and relationships.
The Transformative Power of Passion
Passion is often behind the world’s most awe-inspiring accomplishments. Think about Marie Curie, who pursued science despite facing discrimination based on her gender and poverty. Driven by her love for discovery, she made pioneering advances in radioactivity and earned two Nobel Prizes. Or think of Steve Jobs, who said: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Jobs’ passion for design and innovation revolutionized technology and culture.
From sports to activism, from music to medicine, passionate individuals often redefine what is possible. Research supports this: a 2011 study in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals with high levels of harmonious passion report greater life satisfaction, focus, and resilience (Vallerand & Houlfort, 2011).
When Passion Becomes Obsession
However, passion is not always positive. The same fire that fuels greatness can consume a person. Obsessive passion—when one’s identity and self-worth become entangled in success—can lead to stress, burnout, or even unethical behavior.
Athletes, entrepreneurs, and artists often push their bodies and minds to breaking points. According to a study in Frontiers in Psychology (Rip et al., 2006), individuals with obsessive passion are more likely to experience anxiety, guilt, and conflict with other life domains. Their work dominates everything, leading to poor health and strained relationships.
Thus, passion, like fire, must be managed with care. It should inspire, not imprison.
Can Passion Be Cultivated?
Many people feel lost when asked, “What are you passionate about?” The belief that passion must come naturally can create unnecessary pressure. But studies suggest that passion can, in fact, be cultivated.
A 2018 study published in Psychological Science challenged the idea that people have fixed “passions” waiting to be discovered. Researchers Paul O’Keefe and Carol Dweck found that encouraging people to develop new interests—rather than find pre-existing ones—led to greater motivation and persistence (O’Keefe et al., 2018).
This implies that passion can grow through exposure, effort, and engagement. Like a fire, it needs kindling and oxygen—time, energy, and curiosity.
So rather than waiting for inspiration to strike, we might do better to follow our interests, experiment with new pursuits, and observe what makes us feel alive.
Balancing Passion with Purpose
True passion often involves sacrifice. Whether it’s time, comfort, or stability, passionate individuals must make difficult choices. However, if passion is coupled with purpose, it can become sustainable.
Victor Frankl, in his seminal work Man’s Search for Meaning, argued that purpose—not pleasure—is the primary driver of human fulfillment. Passion gives energy, but purpose gives direction. When both are aligned, individuals experience what psychologists call "flow"—a state of deep engagement and satisfaction (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).
For example, a teacher passionate about education and driven by the purpose of helping children is more likely to remain motivated even during tough school years. A doctor who loves medicine and feels called to heal will better endure the rigors of practice.
In this way, passion becomes not just an emotion, but a guiding force that fuels action aligned with personal and collective meaning.
Conclusion: Keeping the Fire Alive
Passion is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for a meaningful life. It fuels our creativity, strengthens our resolve, and connects us to something greater than ourselves. However, it must be cultivated with care, tempered with purpose, and balanced with well-being.
My own passion for writing has been both a refuge and a lighthouse. It has brought clarity during confusion, joy during monotony, and courage during doubt. But I have also learned to protect it—not to let it become obsession, nor let it blind me to the world around me.
Ultimately, passion is not something we find once—it’s something we choose again and again. With each choice, we fan its flames and shape the story of our lives.
References
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Vallerand, R. J., et al. (2003). Les passions de l’âme: On obsessive and harmonious passion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(4), 756–767.
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Volkow, N. D., Wang, G. J., Tomasi, D., & Baler, R. D. (2011). The addictive dimensionality of human motivation: Dopaminergic modulation of goal-oriented behavior. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience, 36(5), 302–307.
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Vallerand, R. J., & Houlfort, N. (2011). Passion at work: Toward a new conceptualization. In Advances in positive organizational psychology, 1, 97–134.
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Rip, B., Fortin, S., & Vallerand, R. J. (2006). The relationship between passion and injury in dance students. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 10(1), 14–20.
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O’Keefe, P. A., Dweck, C. S., & Walton, G. M. (2018). Implicit theories of interest: Finding your passion or developing it? Psychological Science, 29(10), 1653–1664.
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Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper & Row.
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Frankl, V. E. (1946). Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon Press.