Photo: D. Paul Graham, Graham Archives, Trackside Self Portrait, Sonoma 2021

“Monday 5 Things”™….. Power of Living Passionately …..

I started prepping and packing my camera gear for the first race of the Ferrari Challenge race season that starts this week. Fastidiously cleaning my big glass and cameras is somewhat cathartic for me. Photography is a passion of mine and being trackside on racetracks is one of my most favorite happy places. As I locked up my Pelican cases, backpacks, and camera cases, I reflected on how fortunate I am to be a part of the Speedbourne and Ferrari of Atlanta race team. Photographing the team affords me the opportunity to get up close and personal on some of the most famous race circuits in the world and to hang around some really cool, really passionate people.

All that deliberation brought to mind the people and things that I’m passionate about; how thankful I am for the many blessings you are in my life. I renewed my conviction to making the choice to live a passionate life. And all of that led to thoughts of the power of living passionately in this morning’s M5T.

1. Magnified Motivation

Living passionately is living with big expectations, big dreams, and acting on and believing in both. It’s harnessing the motivation that comes from passion to dream, to innovate and to create.

2. Shaking Mediocrity

Living passionately is avoiding mediocrity at all costs. It’s daring to be different, thinking for yourself, consciously and constantly learning, walking toward your fears, and taking calculated risks. It’s about changing your perspective, being shameless and unrelenting to make a difference.

3. Raison d’Etre

Living passionately is knowing who you are, what you believe in, who you love, who and what you are compassionate about. Passion allows you to be determined to live outside a sense of security. It’s about remaining true to and living your core values and being relentless in living your raison d’etre, even when others think you are wrong, perhaps even thinking you are crazy.

4. Elevated Energy

Living passionately is energy. Passion drives you, teaches you, thrills you. It is about doing and being, making sacrifices to move toward your greater vision. It’s contagious; people will recognize your passion and feed off the positive energy that you bring into a room and to your relationships.

5. Constructed Commitment

Living passionately is about commitment, contributing, balance, doing what is right, and doing what others won’t. Passion allows you to feel, and to carry on. It’s fanning the flames of that fire in your belly to burn bright, rocking the boat, pushing boundaries, and questioning everything. What are your passions that you are committed to?

Here’s to a week of persevering with, possessing, and promulgating the power of passions in your life.

© 2022 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.

For over 10 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T ™.  Each Monday, Paul shares his observations, thoughts and passions on people, life, and culture.

You can find M5T each Monday here on www.southmag.com and by friending D. Paul Graham on Facebook. Paul is a contributing photographer to South Magazine. His photographic work can also be found on Instagram @dpgraham and at  www.imageGRAHAM.com . Your feedback is always welcome. Email Paul at dpg@imagegraham.com