Passion Sparks the Flame, But Purpose Keeps the Fire Alive
Finding Strength in Purpose Through Life’s Darkest Moments
In 2013, my first battle with lymphoma shattered me. Yet, I clawed my way back, rediscovering passion for life, prioritizing my health, and savoring the simple joys around me. I thought I had weathered the storms, learned the lessons, and emerged stronger.
But life wasn’t done teaching me.
In 2017, my world collapsed again when my husband of 36 years passed away from cancer. John was more than a partner—he was my rock, my cheerleader, and the one who made even the darkest days brighter. Losing him felt like losing a part of myself.
The next year, 2018, brought even more heartbreak. Within six months, I underwent bilateral amputations of my forefeet. The physical pain was excruciating, but it couldn’t compare to the emotional agony of losing my independence. Before I could fully adjust, the lymphoma returned with a vengeance. I faced chemotherapy, radiation, and abdominal surgery yet again.
Finding Strength Beyond Passion
It would have been easy to surrender to despair and say, “Enough is enough.” And there were moments when I considered it. Sitting in my wheelchair, questioning whether I could keep going, my once-burning passion for life seemed completely extinguished.
But here’s the truth: passion is fragile. It burns brightly in the good times but flickers in the face of adversity. Purpose, however, is steadfast and unyielding.
I didn’t move forward because of passion; I moved forward because of purpose.
Walking with Purpose
My purpose was simple yet profound: to live—not just for myself but for the legacy of the love John and I shared, for my family who still needed me, and for the people quietly looking to me as proof that resilience is more than a buzzword.
Purpose:
Got me out of my wheelchair.
Fueled my commitment to grueling rehabilitation.
Reminded me that I wasn’t finished yet.
Slowly, step by step, I began walking again—both literally and figuratively.
Passion didn’t get me through those dark days. Passion didn’t push me to fight for independence. It was purpose that sustained me.
Passion is a Gift, But Purpose is Essential
Passion is like a flame—it can be extinguished, but it can also be reignited. Purpose, on the other hand, is the steady fire that keeps you warm even during the coldest nights.
Today, I walk with purpose. My scars, losses, and challenges don’t define me, but they remind me of the strength I’ve found in choosing to move forward.
Moving Forward: Purpose Before Passion
If you’re in a dark place, unsure of how to take the next step, don’t look for passion—it might not be there right now. Instead, ask yourself:
What is my purpose?
What keeps me going?
Passion will return in time. But purpose? Purpose will carry you through.
A Call to Action
Are you chasing passion, or are you walking with purpose? Reflect on your “why” and take the next step with intention. Purpose is the steady fire that will guide you through life’s darkest moments—and it’s waiting for you to embrace it.
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