Danielle Kearney- Passions 4/17/11

“Some of us control our passions so much we never get in touch with them.”

Social norms developed long ago. Typically women cook, clean and care for the children; men support their families and are the head of the family. People are expected to eventually get married and conceive children. Hobbies are also very gender specific. Boys are more adventurous and have thrill seeking hobbies such as paint balling, racing and fighting. Girls dance, sing and bake. Society has created standards controlling passions.

People conform to the roles they are given. They want to impress their parents, friends, and be seen as successful in the eyes of others. In some cases this is for the best. People do not act on impulses protecting other members of society. Most people do not kill, rape, hurt animals and try to be honorable citizens. This makes being part of a society a lot happier and safer.

People take less risks and miss opportunities that could be life changing. Two things need to happen, so that people do not control their passions so much that they never get in touch with them. First, and most importantly people need to quit caring what other people think so much. In the end, their opinion will not determine if you truly encountered the beauty of your passion. The only judgments that will matter are yours, the person who experienced and enjoyed life; and maybe God depending on your beliefs. The other thing that needs to change is society’s views that if a person wonders they are lost. Wondering could be the best experience in the world. People will never truly know their passion if they control urges that could potentially lead them to their passion. One of the best parts of a destination (and something that makes it so enjoyable) is the journey taken to get there. If people control their passions so much, which much of society does, it is their loss. In the end they missed the opportunity to have fulfillment. They also missed all of the experiences they would have gained from making mistakes trying to find their passions.