Passion is a necessary ingredient to success. We need to arise everyday with a purpose and not just with a feeling of obligation. It is a feeling of purpose that enables us to transform everyday experiences into ones where we learn and grow. And, I personally believe it is a feeling of passion that allows for this sense of purpose to really take hold and contribute to your personal growth and unfoldment, as you move from one stage to the next (e.g. from student to young professional to seasoned professional). Passion is a special word, and if you look at this word as an acronym, here are a few symbolic ideas that it embodies, as I see it.

P represents Purpose. What is your purpose in life? Are you here to care for others? Are you here to discover something important? For me, my purpose in life is to serve as a communicator, because I am able to understand technical ideas and translate this understanding into meaningful software user guides.

A represents Ability. Do you know what you are good at? Do you have certain abilities which set you apart and define who you are? Back in college, one night, a good friend took the state at a stand-up comedy night. He had never done this before. But that very night, he discovered his talent for stand-up comedy. Today, he is a successful stand-up comedian, in addition to his regular career-path.

S stands for Strength. It is good to be strong. You cannot accomplish anything without trying. If you let any kind of adversarial forces bring you down, then you will not succeed. You must aspire to be a strong individual in all ways.

S stands for Singularity. It is a good thing to collaborate with others and work with them in different ways. At the same time, it is good to be able to stand on your own two feet in this world and make your mark, all alone. So, you need to have a strong concept of self to do this, but it can be done.

I stands for Insight. People who succeed in their work have good insight into their work. They have this because they want to have it! That is right, they have a natural thirst for information and wisdom. And once this wisdom is acquired, success is inevitable because they will apply these insights as they are needed.

O stands for Optimism. Life is a long path, my friend. You have sixteen years of school (that is, first grade through the end of a four year college) then you have to climb your way up the corporate ladder or fight it out in the business world. Competition surrounds you at all points. However, your sense of optimism is what will enable you to endure and achieve your victories. Remain optimistic, always.

N stands for Neo. In the Movie The Matrix, Neo was the character played by Keanu Reeves. He was the awaited savior of the missionaries that fought against the Matrix. The word Neo really means New. We must always strive to live with a spirit of newness. Everyday you should take a shower in the morning and put on fresh clothes. You should eat fresh (new) food that is healthy for you. When you work or study, you should be living in the present moment, alias, the new moments that life brings into your life. You need to let go of the past, even though memories are there, so that you can really be in the present and maximize your experience of the here and now. The spirit of Neo or newness will really help transform your educational or professional experiences.