Passion Vs Conscience A Delicate Balance
Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. ~Marcus Aurelius
There are many outside (and even inside) the tight knit circle of Drag Racing that do not understand how we persist regardless of circumstances surrounding us. It seems to be a struggle of conscience verses passion. Many of us wondering where do we draw the line? When do we say ‘the show must go on’ and when do we pull the plug?
Passion is the strongest of emotions, yet so is grief. How do we balance the two yet be true to the ones we care for? It’s a delicate balance. Oddly in racing, it seems that question answers itself. Passion consoles the grieving party. Passion in turn gives strength and becomes a form of solace. This seems true for most athletes. Therefore, it is an unspoken understanding that when tragedy strikes within the ranks the competition will continue. It continues because that passion is what fuels every competitor and inevitably keeps that competitive flame burning. Passion binds us, fate brings us together and keeps us forever bound to one another.
Having been an athlete all my life, I understand this theory all too well. Sudden death or injury can make anyone question continuing in that moment. Again, as I have learned it is the passion that we draw upon for strength. Utilizing that passion for strength is what eases the conscience in the long run merely for the fact that it solidifies the tie that binds us. Call it cliché, but it is the truth.
So, for those standing in judgment of others continuing to follow their dreams in the face of adversity I ask you this simple question: ‘What did YOU do today?’ Until your answer consists of struggling to make your way, fighting tooth and nail to achieve your goals; you may want to keep that pie hole shut. There are too many that condemn the actions of others without having any real knowledge of those they are condemning or what it is they do. I am making a blanket statement here. But I have said it before, until you have been there, done that or stood in THAT person’s shoes you have no right to judge.
Frankly it does not matter your passion , be it; Drag Racing ( I will admit we prevail on the ‘cool scale’), Figure Skating (yes also high on that ‘cool scale’ as well ), a ball sports, music , art, whatever . In the end it all comes down to the conscience verses passion. Let your passion continue to keep your dream alive. Your conscience will keep itself in check and you will know at what moment something may be disrespectful or off. Every case is different yet the passion remains the same.
Get out there. Follow your dreams, or sit on the couch and eat Cheetos. The choice is yours.
See you at the Track!
Dina Parise
