lion rebel

What makes someone believe they have something to say to the rest of the world?

Everywhere you look you find people twittering about what they ate for lunch, blogging about the moral justification for any sort of political expanse, or commenting on someone else’s blogging refuting or praising their meager attempt to provide insight.

I ask this question because, as I stared at the blank page before me with nothing to say, I realised that I no longer felt like I had anything worthwhile to say. Why did I write all the words I’ve written or speak aloud all the words I’ve spoken in the past? Did I think I had something better to say? Out of all of history, with men like Napoleon, Emerson, Moses, Jesus, and Obama, how did I suppose that I had a clearer vision or a higher insight?

Why did I speak in front of people? Because it’s easy. Why did I write? Because it’s far easier than speaking, with no immediate audience to impress, no posture to maintain, no constant pressure breathing down your neck causing you to sweat.

I have always loved music, but for whatever reason, have never pegged what I loved about different artists. The other day as I was listening to The Civil Wars I was trying to figure out why they could use a steel guitar to stir my emotions [if you really know me, you know that the steel guitar is not usually associated with music I like]. When suddenly it hit me – I like The Civil Wars because of the passion they convey. I like Mumford and Sons because of the desperation with which they sing and play and perform. Sure, I like good music for the sake of good music; but the artists I cherish are those with passion.

You can find passionate speakers and writers, but they’re not quite conveyed the same as passionate musicians.

And that is what I have lost. Passion. Passion which gives me energy. Passion which enlightens me. Passion which propels me forward rather than dragging me along for the ride. Passion for living. Passion.

For me, it is as simple as that. [Which is also extremely difficult].