Tag Archive for: passion

The Cost of Being Lukewarm

Have you ever taken a sip of lukewarm water?
It’s unpleasant, not refreshing, just bland.
Sometimes our lives can feel the same way.
“Fire” or “heat” often serve as symbols of power, knowledge, enthusiasm, vigour and yet can also represent destruction and judgement.
Consider the following:
– She’s set the world on fire.
– He has got a fire in his belly.
– She is a ball of fire.
– He is burning with ambition.
Over the years I have worked with many leaders who have some “fire in their belly”.
Others I’ve met who may be in that undesirable place midway between hot and cold, or even more strikingly “lukewarm”.
I’m reminded of the scripture in Revelation 3:15 – 16 which says “I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
In this context the scripture represents a lack of spiritual passion or commitment.
This idea of someone being lukewarm could be described as follows:
– She’s just going through the motions.
– He’s just coasting along.
– She’s half-hearted about it.
– He’s blowing hot and cold.
It has been my experience that if we want to be successful in our personal or professional lives, we need to ignite that inner fire.
Don’t settle for lukewarm!

Lukewarm: the enemy of progress

Passion, drive, and commitment fuel progress, innovation, and meaningful change.
Without them, we risk stagnation, simply drifting along without direction or impact.
When you are lukewarm about something, the results are frequently the same.
That’s not to say enthusiasm alone guarantees success, but when combined with purpose and perseverance, it becomes a powerful force.
The most effective leaders I’ve met are those who bring warmth, energy, and conviction to their work.
Their hearts can inspire other hearts with their fire.
Their secret? It’s quite simple really, they do something they love to do!
They go to work but never “work” a day in their life!
So, where do you find yourself?
Are you on fire, lukewarm, or simply going through the motions?

Grit

It’s been over 7 years since Talmage last walked through our front door with his missionary companion.
This time he had a different companion, his wife Marianne.
Together they’re enjoying a belated honeymoon in Scotland.
Over the years we have kept in touch sporadically and so it was truly delightful to reconnect at the weekend.
Reflecting upon our time together and our discussion, I was reminded of Angela Duckworths book “Grit, The Power Of Passion And Perseverance”.
In her book, grit is defined as “passion and perseverance for long-term and meaningful goals”.
When you have the inner strength of grit, you don’t give up on the things that you want.
Possessing grit has become an increasingly rare yet invaluable trait.
Someone who embodies this quality, coupled with determination, perseverance, and resilience, is a beacon of inspiration.
And that is Talmage – in a nutshell!

Podcasting – but more!

Talmage’s passion is podcasting.
But he is not just a podcaster.
He is a storyteller, a learner, and a teacher.
It was clear that his love for podcasting goes beyond mere enjoyment.
Talmage has a commitment to his audience and to his craft.
As he shared some stories it was evident that true success is not measured by numbers but by the impact he creates, with his guests, one episode at a time.
Podcasting, with its unique blend of storytelling, education, and entertainment, is no easy feat.
For someone who loves this medium, grit is not just an advantage; it is a necessity.
It demands consistency, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge.
It is this kind of grit that fuels Talmage’s determination to tackle the technical challenges of recording, editing, and producing content week after week.
His perseverance was evident in the consistency with which he produces content, always striving for improvement, no matter how many obstacles he faces along the way.
He regularly interviews returned missionaries and other guests who share insights and stories of struggle, success, and self-discovery.
Look up and enjoy his next episode of “𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅” wherever you pick up your podcasts.
Enjoy Scotland the pair of you – and come back soon!
How can you stay gritty?