What Rock & Roll Can Teach Us About Passion

A few months ago, Roch surprised me with tickets to a Ted Nugent/Styx/REO Speedwagon concert at our local Civic Center.  I will admit that my first thought was, "Ehhhhhhhhhhh, I LOVED those guys in high school, but NOW???", followed by, " Geez, if these guys are coming to our town (it's a small town with a very small arena that's mostly used for hockey games), their careers must really have hit the skids."  Don't get me wrong, I was really grateful that Roch surprised me by planning a "date night" all on his own, but I was feeling a little underwhelmed about spending our money on something that didn't involve a quiet dinner and a bottle of wine.

The night of the concert arrived.  Once I got over the shock of having a full-body pat down at the entrance, the first thing I noticed about my fellow concert goers was their age.  Heck, we were no longer a crowd of rowdy teenagers in ripped jeans and concert tee shirts. We were an old and tired looking bunch, and the 7pm start time was scarily close to our weeknight bedtimes.  This observation did not add to my enthusiasm for the event.  I couldn't help but feel sorry for the performers.  They, who were used to BIG CROWDS at BIG VENUES "back in the day", were surely going to be disappointed at the sorry lot they were going to be performing for, in an even sorrier arena.

Then Ted Nugent hit the stage.  He ROCKED.  Styx hit the stage. They ROCKED.  Ditto REO.  And the most surprising thing to me was that none of them looked the least bit sorry that they were there.  In fact, they looked THRILLED to be performing.  We were sitting close enough that I could see the light in their eyes, their happiness at being able to do what they love.  Let's face it, these guys are no longer young.  Most of the band members are in their 50's and 60's.  They all have made it big, and (I'm assuming), have made enough money to no longer have to go out on the road.  It was exciting to see that they were doing what they were doing because THEY LOVED IT.  They were PASSIONATE.  Their age didn't matter and ours didn't either.

Bottom line:  There is no expiration date on passion.  When you find something you love to do, DO IT.  Do it exuberantly until your last breath is drawn.