Passion in whatever you are doing. I used to believe strongly in that. I was still convinced by people and things I see previously to have a little faith still in that. But now... I think it is hard to stick by it anymore.

Having experienced it personally, be it for my future occupation, or in the activities which I engaged in. Having seen so many people being through the same process as me, with the passion level dying slowly (or rapidly, even exponentially sometimes) as time passes by. Having observed people who think that they are still doing things with passion, but have distorted themselves to become no more the person they were before. Having witnessed people whom I thought may be abnormalies coming back to become conventional.

This can get pretty depressing at times. But I guess when we have decided to do something, especially if it covers over quite a long period, there must be more incentives and motivations which you find out for yourself, balancing both the practical and spiritual sides. Tipping the balance in anyway is not going to get you far, me thinks...