When it comes to choosing a career path, I am not fond of the word “passion.” Taken for the Oxford English Dictionary, here are some of its definitions:
As a mass noun: strong or overpowering feeling or emotion.
A fit, outburst, or state marked by or of strong excitement, agitation, or other intense emotion. In early use also: a fit of madness or mental derangement.
Intense anger; rage; temper.
An intense desire or enthusiasm for (also †of) something; the zealous pursuit of an aim.
An aim or object pursued with zeal; a thing arousing intense enthusiasm.
OED
For me, passion represents a teenage-like loss of control—absolute anathema. In fact, I can think of few things worse than pursuing my passion—except being surrounded by people blindly following their own!
Instead, I like the idea encapsulated by the Ancient Greek word chara (χαρά) roughly translated as inner joy, a feeling of inner gladness, delight, or rejoicing.
It’s a word that lacks fervor and fanaticism of passion. It suggests being touched by a muse, not subsumed by a god.
So, I will steer clear of passion; it’s chara for me!