Care About It

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There’s a show on HBO called “My Brilliant Friend”.

It’s about two girls coming of age in post-WWII Italy. The series is based on a novel series by Elena Ferrante. And it is brilliant.

I don’t remember how we picked it, but my dad and I watched the first season when it came out. You had to pay attention, as it was all in Italian with subtitles. The first season alone chronicled years of the two friends’ lives. The challenges of growing up in a neighborhood with little money, controlled by two families constantly at odds. The challenges of being a woman with few options and many aspirations.

Really – a phenomenally crafted show.

What struck me as I watched, and what my dad and I talked about throughout the show, is the passion within these characters. Their faces show their stoicism, true poker faces that only occasionally flash anger, deceit, mischief, love. Sure, characters fly off the handle; there are manipulative and cruel men, and women just as evil. It’s often painful and uncomfortable to watch what these people endure, just in their daily lives.

But underlying everything, every rapid fire conversation, every single silent look, is passion.

Passion has been resonating with me for a while.

I don’t quite remember the context, but a couple weeks ago (maybe less), my dad said something to me that was so simple, yet so profound. I was angry about who knows what, and going off about it. My dad looked at me and said “You’re Italian”. My sassy response was that “Yes father, I’m Italian and it means I’m crazy”. But he looked at me and said, “No, it means you’re passionate”.

I didn’t have a very good comeback for that.

Who knows if he meant to make such a poetic statement, or if he was mostly just trying to get me to calm down and look for good (it’s his thing). But that comment has sat with me, and it sat with me as we watched this HBO show.

I’m a passionate person. I care.

Sometimes I care too much.

But I shouldn’t be embarrassed that I care. And I have been. I’ve tried to be the cool kid that doesn’t care. No surprise, I’m bad at that.

I’m passionate about books, about movies, about dancing, sometimes about politics. I’m passionate about equality, writing, supporting my friends and more.

A lesson that I’m learning at 24 (that I probably should’ve started learning earlier) is that it’s OKAY TO CARE! Actually – it’s amazing!

Be passionate about what you’re passionate about. Books, art, movies, politics, sports, science, math, writing, dancing, singing, the environment – there are so many wonderful things that NEED your passion. Do your very best not to let anyone take that passion away from you; and anyone includes yourself.

No one expected the world would be in the predicament it is now. Some people are adjusting to working at home, other people are anxiously twiddling their thumbs waiting to find out when they can go back to work. And those are the lucky ones. Try to maintain your passions in these uncertain times – especially in these uncertain times. It can be a source of relief, growth and comfort.

Best of luck, and may you be passionate always.